20.1 - Galicia Flashcards
Briefly describe the climate of wine regions in Galicia?
Cool, wet → 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
RB 4000ha - Rioja 64,000ha
Describe how plantings + winemaking changed in RB in 1970/80s?
How did this impact the popularity of RB?
indigenous varieties replanted + investment in modern winemaking
→ improved Q → reputation in Spain then export
What style of wine is RB best known for?
Fresh fruity → Albarino
- Lemon, melon, peach
- High acid, med alcohol, med(-)-med body
- Good - VG
- Mid-priced-prem
Describe the production structure in RB.
Small growers
Co-ops dominant
Bodegas Martin Codax is largest producer, buying from 300 growers
Describe the growing environment of RB including climate, rainfall, hazards and soil.
Climate Martime + warm summers, mild winters
Rainfall 1700mm spread throughout year
Hazards Fungal disease, dilution
Soil Sand on granite bedrock → free draining
Why is Albarino so popular in RB? (4)
- Thick skins → Fungal disease resistance
- Early-mid-rip - can achieve full ripeness in most years
- Attractive flavour characteristics → fresh wines
- Attractive structural characteristics → fresh wines without being too thin
Which other grapes are planted in RB? Describe each briefly including ripening, flavour and structural characteristics.
Loureira early rip; aromatic citrus, pear, floral, herbal; med(+) acid
Treixadura (Trajadura) mid-rip; apple and peach; low acidity
Caino Blanco late-rip; citrus; high acid
Souson (Vinhão) + Cainto Tinto → reds
Name the five sub-zones and describe the situation, climate and wines of the three most important.
Val do Salnes
- oldest + most plantings
- coast → coolest, wettest; high acid
O Rosal
- on River Mino + Portugal border;
- S-facing slopes → warmer; white blends with lower acid
Condado do Tea
- inland → warmer → riper, lower acid
- →approachable in youth
Ribeira do Ulla
- inexp-mid-priced
Soutomaior
- newest
What trellising systems are used in RB? Why?
Pergola → air circulation, polyculture
VSP → mechanisation, air circulation
Describe different approaches taken to winemaking in RB
Typical - protective
- Short skin contact → texture, flavour
- Cool SST ferment
- MLC → in cool years
- Limited ageing
Premium - texture, complexity
- sobre lias(about leas) for 1-2yrs, without stirring
- large, old oak to smaller, new oak
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 E RB, inland
Climate maritime, more sheltered → high rainfall
Wines → Treixadura , single or blended; top wines in oak
Describe the situation, climate, topography, and wines of Ribeira Sacra DO.
Situation further inland along River Mino
Climate continental, some maritime dep on site
Topography Steep, stony slopes on valley sites
Wines Mencia → red cherry + raspberry, med(+) acid, med tannin, med body
Describe the situation, climate, topography, and wines of Valdeorras DO.
Situation further inland up river Sil
Climate continental + 700-1000mm
Topography Up to 300m
Wines
Godello → citrus, stone fruit, herbal, mineral with med(+) acid → prem version in oak
Mencia also made
