The most southern wine region of Catalonia is located between the river Ebro and the lands of Matarranya (Aragon). It is the geographical denomination of origin higher and more southern of Catalonia.
HISTORY
"Els Costums d'Orta" (1296) and Miravet (1319), already regulated the sale of wine in the region. At the end of the 19th century, the cultivation of the vine was generalized.
THE CLIMATE
The climate is dry Mediterranean, highlighting a strong continental influence which is mostly absent outside of the vineyards growing season. The rainfall is moderate and ranges between 350 and 500 mm/year depending on the proximity of the Ports. The decisive influence of the prevailing winds: the Beings and Garbinada is also stressed.
GEOGRAPHY
The limestone ridges Pàndols precoastal, and Els Ports Cavalls preside spectacular scenery and typical Mediterranean interior, mainly La Plana, the Altiplano and the Valleys. The vine is cultivated in terraces, often natural, with different slopes (flat slopes) or on terraces.
Soil cultivation is generally medium textured, well drained, variable depth, rich in limestone and very poor in organic matter. The value of wine and the wine "combs" (accumulations of sediment farms but in a less calcareous) are very characteristical.
| Registered vine growing area | 6.000 (ha) |
| Vine growers | 1.460 |
| Bottling wineries | 39 |
| Bottle production | 6.500.000 |
| Varieties of white grapes | Resources or traditional: Garnatxa blanca, Macabeu and Parellada. Authorized:Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Moscatell de gra gros or d’Alexandria, Moscatell de gra petit or de Frontignan, Pedro Ximénez, Sauvignon blanc and Viognier. |
| Varieties of red grapes | Cabernet franc, Cabernet sauvignon, Garnatxa peluda, Garnatxa negre, Garnatxa tintorera, Merlot, Samsó (mazuela o carignan), Syrah and Ull de llebre. |
WINES
The distinguishing characteristics of their wines are mainly due to the "Mediterranean-ness" of their homeland and the predominance of the traditional grape varieties, recommended by the Regulatory Council.
The importance of white Garnatxa and a specific culture of understanding its production, make the white produced from this grape the ones which best express the terroir and the culture of DO "Terra Alta" and worthy of a distinctive specific guarantee, the "Terra Alta Garnatxa Blanc".
They produce white, rosé, red and up to 4 types of liqueur wines (white sweet wine, sweet wine black, rancid and naturally sweet wine). The particularities that can be seen clearly marked by this landlocked and essentially are: the dominance of traditional varieties, more expression in the mouth than in the nose and a remarkable persistence in the tasting.
FEATURED WINES
Finca Morenillo
Sa Natura
Aucalà blanc
LaFou de Batea