Definition Cellers Augustus-Forum
Pioneers of the Penedès.
Famous for their Chardonnay - one of Spain's very best. But their excellent vinegar is now more than half of their turnover.
History Cellers Augustus-Forum
In 1990, when the Augustus Forum project was launched, quality wines were quite rare in Catalonia: industrial wines of international groups had the lion’s share.
Back from Chile, Joan Roca and Josep Puig, with the help of some friends (including some great cooks from Barcelona) decided to start up a small estate where they could make their own wines, with their own grapes, a little like the French châteaux.
Returning to their roots, they bought a vine in Baix Penedès, with very poor soils. Everybody thought them mad but they knew poor soils would give them better wines.
They planted their vineyard near the small village of Sant Vicenç, in El Vendrell, overlooking the sea. They planted the then fashionable French grapes: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The estate is located on the ancient Via Augusta, which used to link Cadiz with Rome – hence the name chosen for the estate: AVGVSTVS.
In a few years, it has sprung up to the top of Spain’s wine ranking, where it still is.
Almost by chance, Roca and Puig also started producing wine vinegar mostly from grapes, and this product was also rapidly very successful. “FORVM” was born! Both the elaboration and the product are unique. The wine vinegars rest for years in oak barrels according to a solera system. And now the FORVM vinegar has become the estate’s most important production!
Varieties
Mostly French varieties are used, but for some years, the estate has also been working with the Catalan Xarello.
The Augustus estate in itself (at «Les Deveses») is 12 hectares (1/3 Chardonnay, 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1/5 Merlot plus some Cabernet Franc). The Xarello is not located on «Les Deveses». For Roca and Puig can also count on grapes coming from other vineyards (mainly Xarello and Syrah).
Terroir
«Les Deveses» vines are located on stony and shallow soils, which ensures a good draining. The yield is this very low in the whole area. Stones come from limestone sediments. The climate is Mediterranean, the sea is only 4 kilometres away and has a great influence on the ripening of the grapes; thanks to the sea breezes, the summers are not too hot and the winters are mild.
Winemaking
Chardonnay and Xarello are fermented in oak barrels. Chardonnay submits its malolactic fermentation, then ages there for 4 to 5 months.
Xarello does not undergo its malolactic fermentation and ages only one month and a half.
The rosé is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; it ferments at low temperature after a 10 to 20 hour maceration.