Alella (DO)
Encyclopedia
Alella is a Spanish
Denominación de Origen
(DO) (Denominació d'Origen in Catalan
) for wines produced in Maresme
county in the Spanish autonomous region of Catalonia
, located on the Mediterranean coast, 15 km to the north of the city of Barcelona
.
It is one of the smallest DOs in Spain as the vineyards have been encroached upon by urban development. At the present time it only covers one third of the area that it covered in 1956 when it was established, despite a territorial extension in 1989.
in his Naturalis Historia
and by Martial
in his Epigrams, when they were known as vins laietans. Structures have been found at the archaeological site of Veral de Vallmora, near Teià
, showing that wine was made there from the 1st to 4th centuries AD. During the Middle Ages
Alella wine was served at the court of the Kings of Aragón
.
The region suffered the effects of the phylloxera
virus at the end of the 19th century but the vineyards were successfully replanted using phylloxera resistant rootstock
from the New World
.
In 1906 the wine cooperative, Alella Vinícola, was founded which is renowned for its traditionl Marfil brand. The wine cellars were designed by the modernist architect Jeroni Martorell i Terrats.
During the 1920s the region was famous for its cava (sparkling wine).
During the 1980s new varieties were introduced and the wine-making methods modernised. The wineries are urban mansions that are built on the slopes overlooking the sea. The height above sea level of the vineyards determines the variety grown and thus the type of wine produced.
The DO covers the following municipalities:
Maresme: Alella
, Argentona
, Cabrils
, El Masnou
, Montgat
, Òrrius
, Premià de Dalt
, Premià de Mar
, Teià
, Tiana, Vilassar de Dalt
Vallès: La Roca del Vallès
, Martorelles
, Montornès del Vallès
, Santa Maria de Martorelles
, Sant Fost de Campsentelles
, Vallromanes
, Vilanova del Vallès
The average temperature is about 15°C (max 35°C in summer, min -3°C in winter) and there is a risk of frost during the winter and spring months especially at the higher altitudes. Rainfall is sparse to average falling mainly at the end of summer and autumn in the form of violent storms. Average of 600 mm per year.
The most interesting feature of Allella DO is the distinctive topsoil which is known as sauló in Catalan. It is basically a white granite-based sand which is very porous and retains heat very well. This helps the grapes to ripen, while the low water retention properties are compensated by the local humid microclimate.
Red:
The older vines grow freely while the newer vineyards have been planted on trellises. Planting density is between 2,000 and 3,500 vines per hectare.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
Denominación de Origen
Denominación de Origen
Denominación de Origen is part of a regulatory classification system primarily for Spanish wines but also for other foodstuffs like honey, meats and condiments. In wines it parallels the hierarchical system of France and Italy although Rioja and Sherry preceded the full system...
(DO) (Denominació d'Origen in Catalan
Catalan language
Catalan is a Romance language, the national and only official language of Andorra and a co-official language in the Spanish autonomous communities of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Valencian Community, where it is known as Valencian , as well as in the city of Alghero, on the Italian island...
) for wines produced in Maresme
Maresme
Maresme is a comarca located along the Catalan Mediterranean coast in Spain, between the comarques of Barcelonès and Selva , and also bordering with Vallès Oriental ....
county in the Spanish autonomous region of Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, located on the Mediterranean coast, 15 km to the north of the city of Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
.
It is one of the smallest DOs in Spain as the vineyards have been encroached upon by urban development. At the present time it only covers one third of the area that it covered in 1956 when it was established, despite a territorial extension in 1989.
History
Wines have been produced in this area since the time of the ancient Romans, and were mentioned by Pliny the ElderPliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
in his Naturalis Historia
Naturalis Historia
The Natural History is an encyclopedia published circa AD 77–79 by Pliny the Elder. It is one of the largest single works to have survived from the Roman Empire to the modern day and purports to cover the entire field of ancient knowledge, based on the best authorities available to Pliny...
and by Martial
Martial
Marcus Valerius Martialis , was a Latin poet from Hispania best known for his twelve books of Epigrams, published in Rome between AD 86 and 103, during the reigns of the emperors Domitian, Nerva and Trajan...
in his Epigrams, when they were known as vins laietans. Structures have been found at the archaeological site of Veral de Vallmora, near Teià
Teià
Teià is a municipality in the comarca of the Maresme inCatalonia, Spain.-References:* Panareda Clopés, Josep Maria; Rios Calvet, Jaume; Rabella Vives, Josep Maria . Guia de Catalunya, Barcelona:Caixa de Catalunya. ISBN 84-87135-01-3 . ISBN 84-87135-02-1 ....
, showing that wine was made there from the 1st to 4th centuries AD. During the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
Alella wine was served at the court of the Kings of Aragón
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
.
The region suffered the effects of the phylloxera
Phylloxera
Grape phylloxera ; originally described in France as Phylloxera vastatrix; equated to the previously described Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, Phylloxera vitifoliae; commonly just called phylloxera is a pest of commercial grapevines worldwide, originally native to eastern North America...
virus at the end of the 19th century but the vineyards were successfully replanted using phylloxera resistant rootstock
Rootstock
A rootstock is a plant, and sometimes just the stump, which already has an established, healthy root system, used for grafting a cutting or budding from another plant. The tree part being grafted onto the rootstock is usually called the scion...
from the New World
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
.
In 1906 the wine cooperative, Alella Vinícola, was founded which is renowned for its traditionl Marfil brand. The wine cellars were designed by the modernist architect Jeroni Martorell i Terrats.
During the 1920s the region was famous for its cava (sparkling wine).
During the 1980s new varieties were introduced and the wine-making methods modernised. The wineries are urban mansions that are built on the slopes overlooking the sea. The height above sea level of the vineyards determines the variety grown and thus the type of wine produced.
Geography
The vineyards grow on the Serra de Parpers foothills, from the coast up the slopes of the mountains. The Besòs river forms the western boundary. There are two distinct areas within the DO:- Maresme, on the foothills overlooking the sea, influenced by the sun and the mediterranean sea breezes. The hills protect the vines from the cold winds and condense the humidity caused by the sea. The wines from this area are smooth with low acidity levels.
- Vallès, on the interior slopes facing inland, with a more continental climate. The wines are stronger and more acidic
The DO covers the following municipalities:
Maresme: Alella
Alella
Alella is a village in the comarca of Maresme inCatalunya, Spain. It is situated on the south-west side of the granite Litoral range, just by the sea. The town is known for...
, Argentona
Argentona
Argentona is a municipality in the comarca of the Maresme inCatalonia, Spain. It is situated on the south-east side of the granite Litoral range, to the north-west ofMataró. The town is both a tourist centre and a notable horticultural centre...
, Cabrils
Cabrils
Cabrils is a municipality in the comarca of the Maresme inCatalonia, Spain. It is situated between the municipalities of Vilassar de Mar, Vilassar de Dalt, Òrrius, Argentona and Cabrera de Mar, at about ten kilometers of Mataró, the comarca capital...
, El Masnou
El Masnou
El Masnou is a town in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated on the coast between Montgat and Premià de Mar, to the north-east of the city of Barcelona, in the comarca of el Maresme...
, Montgat
Montgat
Montgat is a municipality in the comarca of the Maresme inCatalonia, Spain. It is situated on the coast between Badalona and El Masnou, to the north-east of...
, Òrrius
Orrius
Òrrius is an municipality in Catalonia, in the Maresme zone of Spain. The municipality is delimited by La Roca del Vallés to the North, Vilassar de Dalt to the South East, Argentona to the south, and Cabrils to the southwest.-History:...
, Premià de Dalt
Premià de Dalt
Premià de Dalt is a municipality in the comarca of the Maresme inCatalonia, Spain. It has a population of 9,788....
, Premià de Mar
Premià de Mar
Premià de Mar is a municipality in the comarca of the Maresme in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated on the coast between El Masnou and Vilassar de Mar, to the north-east of Barcelona...
, Teià
Teià
Teià is a municipality in the comarca of the Maresme inCatalonia, Spain.-References:* Panareda Clopés, Josep Maria; Rios Calvet, Jaume; Rabella Vives, Josep Maria . Guia de Catalunya, Barcelona:Caixa de Catalunya. ISBN 84-87135-01-3 . ISBN 84-87135-02-1 ....
, Tiana, Vilassar de Dalt
Vilassar de Dalt
Vilassar de Dalt is a village in Catalonia, Spain, in the province of Barcelona and the comarca of Maresme. The name comes from the Roman name Villa Azari, later changed to Vilassar...
Vallès: La Roca del Vallès
La Roca del Vallès
La Roca del Vallès is a village in the province of Barcelona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain....
, Martorelles
Martorelles
Martorelles is a village in the province of Barcelona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain....
, Montornès del Vallès
Montornès del Vallès
Montornès del Vallès is a village in the province of Barcelona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.-References:...
, Santa Maria de Martorelles
Santa Maria de Martorelles
Santa Maria de Martorelles is a village in the province of Barcelona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain....
, Sant Fost de Campsentelles
Sant Fost de Campsentelles
Sant Fost de Campsentelles is a village in the province of Barcelona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain....
, Vallromanes
Vallromanes
Vallromanes is a village in the province of Barcelona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain....
, Vilanova del Vallès
Vilanova del Vallès
Vilanova del Vallès is a village in the province of Barcelona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain....
Climate
The oldest vineyards, close to the coast at an altitude of between 60 – 90 m above sea level enjoy a totally Mediterranean climate (mild winters, hot summers), whereas the younger ones, located higher up in cooler areas have a more continental climate.The average temperature is about 15°C (max 35°C in summer, min -3°C in winter) and there is a risk of frost during the winter and spring months especially at the higher altitudes. Rainfall is sparse to average falling mainly at the end of summer and autumn in the form of violent storms. Average of 600 mm per year.
Soils
The lowest vineyards, at 60 m above sea level, are on dark soils over igneous rocks in an open valley overlooking the sea. The highest ones, in a new district known as Vallés, are on lime bearing rock sheltered by the mountains.The most interesting feature of Allella DO is the distinctive topsoil which is known as sauló in Catalan. It is basically a white granite-based sand which is very porous and retains heat very well. This helps the grapes to ripen, while the low water retention properties are compensated by the local humid microclimate.
Grape varieties
White:- Recommended: Garnacha blanca, Xarel·loXarel·loXarel·lo is a white grape variety of Spanish origin specially grown in Catalonia. With Macabeu and Parellada, is one of the three traditional varieties used to make the sparkling wine Cava...
(Pansa blanca) - Also authorized: ChardonnayChardonnayChardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
, Chenin, MacabeoMacabeoViura, also called Macabeo or Macabeu is a white variety of wine grape.It is widely grown in the Rioja region of northeastern Spain, the Cava producing areas south of Barcelona, and the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France...
, MalvasiaMalvasiaMalvasia is a group of wine grape varieties grown historically in the Mediterranean region, Balearic islands, Canary Islands and the island of Madeira, but now grown in many of the winemaking regions of the world...
, Moscatell de gra petit, ParelladaParelladaParellada is a white grape variety of Catalan origin specially grown in Catalonia. With Macabeu and Xarel·lo, is one of the three traditional varieties used to make the sparkling wine Cava, which is primarily produced in Catalonia...
, Picapoll blanc and Sauvignon blancSauvignon blancSauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French word sauvage and blanc due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France., a possible descendant of savagnin...
Red:
- Recommended: Garnacha Negra
- Also authorized: Cabernet sauvignonCabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Canada's Okanagan Valley to Lebanon's Beqaa Valley...
, Garnacha peluda, MerlotMerlotMerlot is a darkly blue-coloured wine grape, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to derive from the Old French word for young blackbird, merlot, a diminutive of merle, the blackbird , probably from the color of the grape. Merlot-based wines...
, Monastrell (Morastrell), Pinot noirPinot NoirPinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
, Samsó, MazuelaMazuelaMazuela is a municipality located in the province of Burgos, Castile and León, Spain. According to a 2008 estimate , the municipality has a population of 97 inhabitants. It is about 27 kilometers from Burgos, in the area southwest of the Burgos Province....
, Sumoll negre, Syrah and Ull de llebre (TempranilloTempranilloTempranillo is a variety of black grape widely grown to make full-bodied red wines in its native Spain. It is the main grape used in Rioja, and is often referred to as Spain's "noble grape". Its name is the diminutive of the Spanish temprano , a reference to the fact that it ripens several weeks...
)
The older vines grow freely while the newer vineyards have been planted on trellises. Planting density is between 2,000 and 3,500 vines per hectare.
External links
- DO Alella official website: http://www.doalella.com/index_eng.php
- http://www.winesfromspain.com