Pla de Bages

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The appellation is sheltered by the Pre-Pyrenees to the north and the Coastal Range to the southeast, defining a mid-mountain Mediterranean microclimate with marked diurnal temperature variation and low rainfall.
• The Pla del Bages subzone, closer to the confluence of the Llobregat and Cardener rivers, sits at an average elevation of around 200 m, while the Alt Bages can reach 700 m. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• Soils are marly with a clay presence in the lower zone, and calcareous with a high carbonate content in the upper zone. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The cool climate favours slow ripening in autumn, supporting good colour accumulation across all varieties, although the native varieties Mandó, Sumoll, and Picapoll Negro may by their nature have a lower colour potential.
• Dry-stone wall terraces are traditional to the area. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• The municipality of Artés, in the Bages comarca, falls within the Cava PDO, as experimentation with and production of sparkling wines began there in the early twentieth century, making it a pioneer in this style of winemaking.
• The Bages comarca has long produced liqueur wines such as vino rancio, mistela, and naturally sweet wine, made using a traditional method combined with the comarca's own wine-grape varieties.

• The white wines, especially those made from Picapoll, show aromas defined by the fresher end of the varietal descriptors and are light-bodied wines with a firm acid core.

• The strong presence of woodland surrounding the vineyards lends some red wines balsamic notes that heighten the perception of freshness.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (pliego de condiciones).

All appellations in Spain

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• National pliego de condiciones (PDF)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-ES-A1557
• Official trade body site — DO Pla de Bages