Costers del Segre facts for kids
| Wine region | |
|
|
| Official name | D.O.P. Costers del Segre |
|---|---|
| Type | Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) |
| Year established | 1988 |
| Country | Spain |
| Size of planted vineyards | 4,081 hectares (10,084 acres) |
| No. of wineries | 36 |
| Wine produced | 29,803 hectolitres |
| Comments | Data for 2016 / 2017 |
Costers del Segre is a special wine region in Spain. It's located in the Lleida area of Catalonia. This region has a special status called a "Denominación de Origen Protegida" (DOP). This means its wines are protected and must follow strict rules to ensure their quality and origin.
The Costers del Segre region is quite spread out. It's divided into several smaller areas, or sub-zones. The first four sub-zones were created in 1988. These include Artesa, Valls de Riucorb, Garrigues, and Raïmat. Later, in 1998, two more sub-zones were added: Pallars Jussà and Segrià.
Contents
What is a DOP?
A "Denominación de Origen Protegida" (DOP) is a special label for food and drink products. It means the product comes from a specific place. It also means it's made using traditional methods. This helps protect the quality and reputation of the product. For wines, it ensures they truly represent their region.
Weather in Costers del Segre
The weather in Costers del Segre is called continental. This means it has very hot summers and cold winters. The nearby Pyrenees mountains also affect the climate.
It doesn't rain much here, usually around 450 mm per year. Some western parts get even less, about 300 mm. The average yearly temperature is about 15°C. In summer, it can get as hot as 35°C. In winter, temperatures often drop below freezing. There are also big temperature changes between day and night. This can be good for grapes.
However, vineyards sometimes face challenges. These include dry spells, hailstorms, and frosts in spring.
Soils and Vineyards
The vineyards in Costers del Segre are spread out. But most of them share similar soil types. The soil is usually dark and contains a lot of lime. It doesn't have much clay or organic matter. This type of soil is often good for growing grapes.
The vineyards are found at different heights. They range from 250 meters to 700 meters above sea level.
Older grapevines in the region often grow as low bushes. Newer vineyards use a system called trellises. This is where the vines are trained to grow along wires. This method makes it easier to use machines for vineyard work.
To help the vines grow well, especially in the western parts, some vineyards use irrigation systems. This helps protect the plants from very cold or very hot weather.
Grape Varieties Grown Here
Many different types of grapes are grown in Costers del Segre. Both red and white grapes are used to make the region's wines.
Red Grapes
- Garnatxa Negra
- Ull de llebre
- Trepat
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Monastrell / Garrut
- Sumoll
- Syrah
- Mazuela / Samsó
- Pinot Noir
- Cabernet Franc
- Garnatxa Tintorera
- Petit Verdot
- Malbec
White Grapes
- Macabeu
- Xarel·lo
- Parellada
- Chardonnay
- Garnatxa Blanca
- Riesling
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Moscatell d’Alexandria
- Malvasia / Subirat Parent
- Gewurztraminer
- Albarinho
- Chenin
- Viognier
- Verdejo
- Godello
See also
In Spanish: Costers del Segre para niños
- Catalan wine
