Estate Wines: a recognition of the continuous work in the vineyard and the high standards

Wines of such high quality have never been produced in Catalonia as they are today. The professionalization of the sector, which has focused on quality, and the support of institutions have successfully relaunched the prestige of Catalan wines. One of the most noteworthy initiatives in this regard is the Vinos de Finca Calificada (VFQ) designation, which not only recognizes high-quality wines but also considers their connection to the land, a link without which Catalan wine would be inconceivable. Until very recently, only 19 wines in all of Catalonia could boast this distinction, the highest recognition a Catalan wine can receive from the Government of Catalonia, but this week five more wines have been added to the list. The Director General of the Catalan Institute of Vine and Wine (Incavi), Joan Gené, argued during the event that "estate wines are not a marketing label, they are a verified commitment to the land and to quality," and also affirmed that the newly distinguished wines share "the same commitment to excellence." The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food, Òscar Ordeig, for his part, emphasized that "the future lies in creating products with added value" and asserted: "We must strive to build a national brand, to achieve the highest quality, to distinguish ourselves, to segment our market. Ultimately, we must focus on estate wines.".

In a context where consumption habits are changing rapidly, and the wine sector is feeling this particularly, focusing on quality is the safest bet. The new wines that have joined the prestigious list this week are: La Capella, La Cruz, La Romana, and Monreal, from the Can Bas winery (DO Penedès); and Singular Negre, from the Collbaix winery (DO Pla de Bages).

About Qualified Estate Wines

To receive the designation of Vino de Finca Calificada (Qualified Estate Wine), a vineyard must be located within a designated designation of origin and, furthermore, must have been produced in a specific area, smaller than a municipality, and possess its own unique characteristics. The name must be linked to the vineyards from which it is made and must have received prior approval from its regulatory board.

Based on this, Qualified Estate Wines must meet, among others, these five requirements of excellence and deep roots and commitment to the territory: have a minimum age of 10 years in the registration of the designation of origin, a vine production yield 15% lower than that established by the DO, and a rating; the owner of the vineyards must coincide with that of the winery, and the wine production must take place in a winery located on the same estate or nearby; the wine must be produced in a specific environment, with its own soil and microclimatic characteristics; the winery must have a track record of prestige and quality in the market for a period of 10 years or more and there must be specific comprehensive traceability from production to marketing.