Alella

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Granitic subsoil with marine deposits; at the surface it breaks down into fine grains of high permeability.
• The high permeability forces the vine to drive its roots deeper, generating a 'stress' that regulates yield per plant.
• Two distinct slopes: the inland-facing side produces wines with higher acidity compared to the maritime-facing side.
• The coastal mountain range acts as a barrier, condensing marine moisture and moderating the vineyard's microclimate. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The terroir imparts mineral and marine notes; in oxidative ageing these characteristics become more pronounced over time.

• The controlled water stress of the vine regulates yield per plant by forcing the roots to penetrate deep into the granitic subsoil.
• Fortified wines aged oxidatively, in which mineral and marine notes become more pronounced as the wine develops.

• Wines from the inland-facing slope show more marked acidity than those from the maritime-facing slope.
• Quality sparkling wines are characterised by a bitter, citrusy finish reminiscent of unripe green almonds.

• The permeable granitic soil forces the roots to grow deeper, generating hydric stress that regulates grape yield per vine.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the the specification.

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-ES-A1423
• Official trade body site — INCAVI — D.O. Alella