Vinyes de Barcelona red
Vinyes de Barcelona is the only wine produced in the city of Barcelona. It is created at the Can Calopa de Dalt estate on the northern side of the Collserola mountain range. That is where we grow the grapes and make the wine in a small, refurbished winery, a project started by the Barcelona City Council in 2001 and managed by L’Olivera since 2010 with a commitment to social farming that combines quality produce with social inclusion and respect for the environment.
This wine is the result of a collective commitment to periurban agriculture, taking a contemporary approach to restoring agricultural activity linked to major cities. Honest and straightforward, Vinyes de Barcelona is faithful to this farming and human landscape. Made from Grenache variety, it has the agility and acidity of a young wine but the complexity that comes from a year’s ageing in oak barrels.
Terroir
ORIGIN: The vineyards on the Can Calopa estate are on the north-western-south-eastern slope of the Collserola mountain range and within the city limits of Barcelona, at an altitude of 300 metres above sea level. The landscape consists of patchworks of agriculture amidst wooded areas conquered by pines, holm oaks and species of Mediterranean schrub. There are both terraces and small flat plots on the propriety. CLIMATE: The climate is influenced by the Mediterranean, with mild winters, hot summers, mild fluctuations in temperature, and limited rainfall with sharp variations. The Can Calopa estate faces north-weastern-south-eastern, meaning it is shady, and the grapes ripen slowly and gradually. The Marin wind blows in the afternoon, which moderates the high temperatures in summer.
Varieties
Grenache (100%)
Vine growing
Organic farming. Harvested by hand, with grapes selected for higher concentrations in the vineyard.
Wine processing
Threshing and light crushing and fermentation take place in a pigeage tank, with the cap punched at regular intervals, at a controlled temperature of 25-28ºC. 50% of the wine was aged for 4 months in new first-year wooden barrels, with a capacity of 300 litres. The remainder was aged in a stainless steel tank.
Technical sheet
Vinyes de Barcelona red 2023
Characteristics of the vintage
The 2023 vintage in the Barcelona region was defined by low rainfall levels, with some occasional precipitation during the winter, and a dry spring. The summer was very hot and dry, with high temperatures throughout, strong heatwaves and total rainfall of less than 150 mm, which led to a lengthy drought. Despite these conditions, good soil management practices on the property, with plant cover during the winter to channel the limited water that did fall, helped keep the plants healthy. The vineyards withstood the conditions well, although the weakest plots did require some occasional water. Production levels were generally lower than expected, but balanced and of high quality, as the severe drought meant that the plants and grapes were exceptionally healthy.
Viticulture and wine processing
Organic farming. Manual harvest with selection of the grapes from the vine, seeking the highest concentrations. We ferment each variety separately in vats under controlled temperature, with a daily pump-over for the Syrah and punch-down twice a day in the case of Grenache until mid-fermentation. The Syrah is aged in semi-new French oak barrels for 12 months.
Analysis
Alcohol content: 15%
Total acidity: 3.71 g/l (sulphuric acid)
Volatile acidity: 0.37 g/l
Residual sugar: <0.5 g/l (glucose + fructose)
Total sulphur: 29 mg/l
Tasting notes
Intense ruby red color with light violet tones. Its aromatic intensity stands out on the smell, with ripe black fruity tones on a backdrop of balsamic and spicy notes. The wine is full-bodied and silky on the palate, with fine and elegant tannins. It is smooth on the palate. It strikes a balance between the fruit and the coolness of the terroir. Ideal for accompanying all types of meats, stews and cheeses. The signature dish as an accompaniment: oven-baked Collserola lamb casserole with parmentier potatoes.
Awards
Peñín Guide:
2023: 89 points (2019 vintage)
2022: 89 points (2017 vintage)
Decanter 2022:
Silver medal (2019 vintage)
Hamersma DHG 2021:
8.5 points (2017 vintage)
Catavinum 2017:
Silver medal (2014 vintage)