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The region: wines from Terra Alta are the
most isolated and meridional produced in Catalunya. It is precisely for
this isolation the wines are not especially well - known in the market.
The name itself of the denomination of origin which is a label that guarantees
the origin and quality of the wine_ tells us this wine- making land is
above the sea level: Terra Alta (high land). The Terra Alta county is
on the right bank of the river Ebre, and almost next to Aragó. It is yet
not reaching the river waters because a peak of mountains and hill are
in the way: Racó del Coc, Muntanyola, Tossal d'en Grialó, Mola Rasa, la
Talaia de Lixem, Serra de la Torre, Tossal de les Palmeres, Els Mollons.
There is only a small part of land touching the river Ebre, close to the
Riba-roja pantano. When the Ebre comes close to Terra Alta, it is in fact
struggling to cross the mountains of the Cadena Costera Catalana, the
mountains of the Catalan coast, and arrive to the sea. These mountains have the shape of an arch from North to South, crossing Terra Alta in an easterly direction. Its perimeter is enclosed in the West by Serra del Pedregal and the D’Algars River, which are the natural borders of the community with Aragó. This is the only river that actually passes through the Terra Alta because the landscape is so disrupted geographically. The river is in fact going in the opposite direction of the Ebre, The same happens to the river Matarraña, which goes parallel to the Ebre but in the opposite direction. The Matarraña and d'Algars rivers eventually meet before flowing into to the Ebre.There are 12 towns in the community and, the most important city being Gandesa. The communication of the city with the rest of the region is rather poor, since there are two A-roads or (governmental) highways going through Gandesa, the A-230 and A-420. The history: Due to its physical isolation for centuries, the wines from Terra Alta did not have importance until very late in history. In 1185, Ramón Berenguer IV ordered the repopulation of the region, firstly by the Templars and later by the "Hospitable Knights". Despite the king's efforts, the wine-production did not improve and it produced just enough to supply the local markets. After the Phylloxera plague in Catalunya and the importation of American vines, Terra Alta took advantage of the historical moment and increased its number of vineyards. They created cooperatives and their buildings were designed by superb Art Nouveau designers, which in time have become brick monuments to the enterprising spirit of this wine- making community. The climate: Mediterranean climate, with strong influences from the Continental climate. Temperatures go below 0oC in winter and above 400C in summer. There are about 500 mm. of rainfall annually, but the soil retains very little water so there is hardly any dampness. The soil: Vines grow in naturally build slightly steep terraces, so they become very permeable and hardly retain any water. That allows the soil to drain rainwater almost immediately. Grape varieties: Preferably red varieties of grape: Garnatxa, Cariñena, Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot and Ull de Llebre. There are also some white varieties: Garnatxa, Macabeo, Chardonnay and moscat. The Growers: winegrowers and viticulturists have always worked hard to improve their wines using the latest and most precise technologies. Some private businesses, like Celler Mariol, and cooperatives like Gandesa, Villalba dels Arcs and Batea, have had a remarkable role in such a development. There are 2,390 winegrowers and viticulturists registered in the Denomination of Origin Terra Alta, which was officially recognized in 1985, and 16,000 hectares of land producing wine. The wines: The white Garnatxa produces strong wine with body. Macabeo grapes give a wine as aromatic as the Penedès but stronger and with a more extensive taste. Moreover, due to the dryness and height of the land, the Macabeo grape suffers fewer endemic diseases than in the Penedès region. White wines are produced using both varieties, to make high alcohol content wines, between 12.5 and 140C. Red wines come from Red Garnatxa, Cariñena. Merlot, Ull de Llebre, Syrah and Cabernet. Their alcohol content varies between 12 and 150. Rosé wines come from the same varieties of grapes and the same alcohol content.Generous bright white mellow wines are made of white Garnatxa, aged in oak barrels for a minimum period of five years, although the sweet wines spend a period of only two years. Their alcohol content is higher than 150 C. The aging process of a vintage wine lasts minimum 14 months, 6 months of them in oak barrels. The culture and landscape: There is a wide range of landscapes in the community thanks to twisting geography. There are vineyards growing in the plains next to highly populated woods, as in Serra de Pandols i de Cavalls or Les Roques de Benet. There are other areas with breathtaking landscape, rocky mountains that invite the visitor to walk and climb; while other landscapes of mountains show their seismic origin. The isolation or the region has given place to a very original folklore, mainly regional dances and storytelling. The 'Jota', the most typical regional dance, is performed round a bonfire, the 'cremaller'. Wineskins made from sheepskins are also very typical as well as different objects made of 'esparto'. The Gastronomy: The gastronomy combines exceedingly well (with) the region red wines. Red vintage wines are the right matching for game and veal in strong sauces, typical from Terra Alta, as young red wines are the right matching for local dishes like pork or beans and country sausage (mongetes amb butifarra). White wines are ideal to combine with the regional vegetable dishes: 'escalivada', 'calçots', together with some quality olive oil. We cannot forget fish from the coast, with the special sauces_ 'picada' and 'romesco'_ made with olive oil, garlic, dried almonds and red dried peppers. . |
