Bodegas Torres reintroduces Moneu, an ancestral red grape, into the Penedès
Bodegas Torres is reintroducing the red variety Moneu into the Penedès on an experimental basis. A pre-phylloxera variety indigenous to this wine region, it was discovered almost twenty years ago near Querol, in Alt Camp, thanks to a project dedicated to reviving ancestral varieties. After experimenting for several years and determining its high enological potential, Torres has decided to plant the variety, using grafting techniques. Moneu will be introduced into the historical Castell de la Bleda vineyards in Santa Margarida i el Monjos, which the winery recently bought.
Moneu takes its name from Coster del Moneu (the “banks of the Moneu River”), which is located close to where the variety was found. It is the second ancestral variety that Torres is reintroducing into the Penedès, following the planting of Selma Blanca at its Aiguaviva vineyards a few years ago. The winery has revived close to 50 varieties over the past 30 years with 6 showing great enological promise, including 4 that are indigenous to the Penedès. Querol and Garró are the other two Penedès varieties, which Torres already uses in the Grans Muralles blend, one of its leading flagship wines from the DO Conca de Barberà.
According to Miguel Torres Maczassek, General Manager of Bodegas Torres, “Given the Penedès’s long winegrowing tradition, we are convinced that the region was home to many grape varieties before phylloxera destroyed the vineyards in the late 19th century. Later, when winegrowing resumed, many of these varieties were not planted again. We believe that there is evidence of varieties that survived phylloxera, scattered in different places, as shown by the vines we have found over the years.” He goes on to say, “It is really exciting to see how, with the help of winegrowers, we are gradually reviving the winegrowing heritage and richness of the Penedès and Catalonia in general.”
Torres carried out tests at its vineyards in L’Aranyó, in the middle of Les Garrigues, where it has also planted Moneu. These showed the variety to be highly resistant to drought and high temperatures. The variety produces wines that offer an intense fresh fruit aroma with slightly floral and creamy undertones; they have a luscious palate, well-defined acidity, good concentration and smooth tannins.
Torres has also planted Moneu at its vineyards in L’Aranyó, in the middle of Les Garrigues. These test plantings showed that the variety is highly resistant to drought and high temperatures. Moneu produces wines that offer an intense fresh fruit aroma with slightly floral and creamy undertones; they have a luscious palate, well-defined acidity, good concentration and smooth tannins.