Since yesterday’s note was on a Calatayud (a good one, too) I thought I’d talk a bit about where the heck Calatayud is, and what it means when you see it on a label. Calatayud is a small wine region in northeast Spain, surrounded pretty much by desert. The Papa Luna was 75% Garnacha, which is no surprise because approximately 2/3 of Calatayud is planted in Garnacha. The region is restricted by DO regulations (Spanish wine laws) to indigenous grape varieties, including Shiraz, Monastrell, Mazuelo, and Tempranillo. They also make Garnacha based rosés and whites from the Viura grape of generally increasing quality. The grapes are generally rich and intense because yields are kept low and the soil is poor. This means the vines struggle, which makes better grapes. Most grapes are sold to cooperatives for vinification. These cooperatives are considered some of the most successful exporters of Spanish wine. There’s been a lot of investment in recent years in new equipment, stainless steel tanks, etc., and the quality is definitely on the rise. The reds have been called ‘heady’ and ‘potent’ and while I’ve never had one that I’d call truly outstanding, I’ve never ever had one that I didn’t like. So I’d call Calatayuds a very reliable choice!
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