Jovani & Vins, Terra Alta, Catalunya, Spain

JOVANI & VINS; YOUNG & DRIVEN

Jovani & Vins Winery opened its doors in 2015 near Sant Antoni near Barcelona. The project started with great passion and enthusiasm of the three Jovani brothers : Montsa, Robert and Sergi, who have followed in their father's footsteps since 2007. Father Jovani was among others the one who took over the Cavas Berdié in 2001 and thus made one of his dreams come true. Nowadays the three brothers are more in the foreground; they have implemented many changes within the wine estate and in the vineyards. In addition, they have involved a team of enthusiastic young people in the project; a team of sommeliers, wine growers and shopkeepers, who promote Jovani in and around Barcelona. In addition to Cava Berdié, whose winery is located in the Penedés, the Jovani family has vineyards in various Catalonia, such as Terra Alta, Montsant and Priorat. The quality wines from Terra Alta have been allowed to import wine as a collaborating partner. We are amazed by the high quality, but they also distinguish themselves by their striking designs on the labels with which they have put their own image on the map. Avant-garde and modern, a style and personality that characterizes the Jovani brothers. They are winemakers with a passion for the Catalan wine culture and the fascinating world of winemaking itself.

TERRA ALTA; 'THE HIGH COUNTRIES' OF CATALONIA

Terra Alta is the southernmost wine region of Spain and, as its name suggests, also the highest DO region in Catalonia . It is located in the highlands of the province of Tarragona, on the border with Zaragoza and Teruel (Aragon). The vineyards are at an average altitude of 400 metres. At this altitude there is a series of gentle slopes and the vines are planted on the plateaus and valley plains of the Serra de Pandols (situated at an altitude of 962 metres), bordering Aragon. Deep, brownish topsoils give way to limestone and a small amount of loam. Like most mountain soils, this is also well ventilated and drained. The climate in Terra Alta is continental with Mediterranean influences. Summers are very hot and winters can be freezing. The average annual temperature is 16.4ºC. On average, there is about 400 mm of rain per year and the sun shines 2,700 hours. The logo here is the logo for wines from the Terra Alta area. All wines with this origin, so made in the area, carry this logo.

HIGH(STANDING) ON THE LADDER

In Catalonia there are a number of official grape varieties from which wines from this region may be made. Recommended white grapes are Garnacha Blanca (76.6% of the vineyard) and Macabeo (10.3%). Permitted red grape varieties are Carineña/Mazuelo (4.6%), Garnacha tinta and Peluda (2%). However, in 1992 the Consejo Regulador also authorised Parellada and Moscatel for white wines and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo (Ull de Llebre) for red wines. There are also a few plots with experimental grapes, including Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Colombard. Here too, stainless steel vats have made their entrance; these are used in addition to the traditional concrete 'cuves' for wine production. The modern vinification methods of Terra Alta are completely in line with modern Catalan wine production. Older Bodegas are gradually replacing their concrete fermentation vats with more modern ones. New 'elite' Bodegas are already installing the latest technology. Of course, there are still some Bodegas in the Catalan countryside that grow in a traditional way, with local grape varieties, but they too will have to accept 'the new thinking', including the cultivation of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. Expertise in the vineyards is in 2017 the investment for the production of 'new style' wines, if you want to keep up with your competitors.