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Protected from the sea by the mountains, this denomination, long known for its white wines, is located in southern Catalonia, between the provinces of Tarragona and Lérida, in the basin carved out by the Francoli and Anguera rivers.
Producers in this DO are now beginning to diversify with new grapes to make both white and red wines. The future of these wines has great potential given the excellent qualities of the terrain and climate as well as the location of the vineyards and the investment being made in new equipment.
The vineyards are for the most part quite young, designed with modern cultivation for and meticulous care. Less promising varieties are increasingly being replaced by others of higher quality.
At present, a large proportion of the production from the vineyards in this denomination of origin, 5,094 hectares in total, is allotted to the production of base wine for Cava.
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Fact file
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CRDO address:
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Sant Josep, 18
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43400 Montblanc
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Tarragona
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Spain
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DO established
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19NOV85
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Last updated
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29SEP89
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Telephone
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+34-977-861-232
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Fax
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+34-977-862-424
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E-mail
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cellers@do-conca.org
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Website
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www.do-conca.org
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Vineyards:
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Subzones
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-
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Area under vine
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6,000 ha
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Area in full production
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90%
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Altitude of vineyards
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350-600 m
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Soil types
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Light-brown chalky topsoil over alluvial, limestone bedrock
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Principal grapes (w)
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Macabeo, Parellada
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Principal grapes (r)
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Garnacha, Trepat, Tempranillo
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Permitted grapes (w)
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-
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Permitted grapes (r)
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-
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Experimental grapes (w)
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Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Viognier
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Experimental grapes (r)
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Pinot noir, Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Syrah, Monastrell, Cariñena
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Organic viticulture
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-
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Climate:
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Max. summer temp.
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35°C
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Min. Winter temp.
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-6°C
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Average rainfall
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500 mm annually
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Average sunshine
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2,500 hours annually
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Production:
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Maximum crop
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10,000 kg/ha
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Yield
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70%
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Equivalent hl/ha
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70 hl/ha
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Production 2001
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220.000 hl |
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Production 2002
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245.000 hl
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Production 2003
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265.365 hl
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Production 2004
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266.880 hl
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Production 2005
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188.080 hl
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Wine alcohol content:
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White
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min 10% abv
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Pink
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min 10% abv
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Red
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min 10.5% abv
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Other
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-
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Ageing in oak:
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Crianza
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6 months oak, 18 months bottle released 01-Dec vintage +3
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Reserva
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12 months oak, 12 months bottle released 01-Dec vintage +4
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Gran Reserva
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24 months oak, 36 months bottle released 01-Dec vintage +6
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Wineries:
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Number of Wineries
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18
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Total exports - 2001
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18,547 hl
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Total exports - 2002
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13,783 hl |
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Total exports - 2003
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5,659 hl
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Total exports - 2004
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5,499 hl |
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Total exports - 2005
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-
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