20.1 - Galicia Flashcards
Briefly describe the climate of wine regions in Galicia?
Cool, wet due to proximity to Atlantic
Describe the size of Rias Baixas DO in terms of production and hectares under vines. How does this compare with Rioja? How has this changed since the 90s?
RB 250,000hL - Rioja 3,000,000hL
Massive growth - 3,500hL produced in 1990s
RB 4000ha - Rioja 64,000ha
Describe how plantings + winemaking changed in RB the 1970/80s?
How did this impact the popularity of RB?
Post phylloxera - region replanted with hybrids and high-yielding Palo
Incentives in 70/80s resulted in indigenous varieties replanted + investment in modern winemaking –> improved quality –> reputation in Spain then export
What style of wine is RB best known for?
Fresh fruity wines made with Albarino
Lemon, melon, peach
High acid, med alcohol, med(-)-med body
Good - VG, with some better
Mid-priced-premium
Describe the production structure in RB.
Small growers 5,500 growers to 4000ha of vines
Co-ops dominant with around 170 wineries in all
Bodegas Martin Codax is largest producer, buying from 300 growers
Describe the growing environment of RB including climate, rainfall, hazards and soil.
Climate Martime with warm summers, mild winters
Rainfall 1700mm of rainfall, spread throughout year
Hazards Fungal disease, dilution from rainfall at harvest
Soil Sand on granite bedrock –> free draining
Why is Albarino so popular in RB? (4)
- Fungal disease resistance - thick skins
- Early-mid-ripening - can achieve full ripeness in most years
- Attractive flavour characteristics - apple, lemon, grapefruit, peach, floral –> fresh wines
- Attractive structural characteristics - high acidity, med(-)-med body and med alcohol –> fresh wines without being too thin
Which other grapes are planted in RB? Describe each briefly including ripening, flavour and structural characteristics.
Loureira early ripening; aromatic citrus, pear, floral, herbal; med(+) acid
Treixadura mid-ripening; apple and peach; low acidity
Caino Blanco late-ripening; citrus; high acid
Souson and Cainto Tinto used for reds - 1% of production
Name the five sub-zones and describe the situation, climate and wines of the three most important.
Val do Salnes oldest zone and most plantings; directly on coast –> coolest, wettest; high acidity wines
O Rosal on River Mino and the border with Portugal; south-facing slopes –> warmer; blends of all white grapes with lower acid, flavours depend on blend
Condado do Tea inland; warmer; riper with lower acid –> approachable in youth
Ribeira do Ulla inexpensive-mid-priced wine
Soutomaior newest
What trellising systems are used in RB? Why?
Pergola promotes air circulation, previously used to allow other crops to grow underneath
VSP allows mechanisation while providing some degree of air circulation
Describe different approaches taken to winemaking in RB
Typical - protective
- Short skin contact for texture, flavour
- Cool ferment in SST
- At least partial MLC to reduce malic in cool years
- Limited ageing
Premium - texture, complexity
- sobre lias for 1-2yrs, without stirring
- oak from large, old oak to smaller, new oak
Outline sales trends since 2000 in RB
Large growth in sales - see production
25% exported up from 10% in 2000 - US/UK largest
Name the four other Galician DOs. In general, how does their climate differ from RB? Which two grapes grown in these areas are best recognised on export markets?
Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras, Monterrei
More continentality
Godello and Mencia
Describe the situation, climate and wines of Ribeiro DO.
Situation east of RB, inland
Climate maritime, if more sheltered; high rainfall
Wines whites from Treixadura either single-varietal or blended; top wines in oak
Describe the situation, climate, topography, and wines of Ribeira Sacra DO.
Situation further inland along the River Mino valley
Climate continental with some maritime depending on the exposure of site
Topography Steep, stony slopes on valley sites
Wines Mencia –> red cherry and raspberry, med(+) acid, med tannin, med body
