20.1 - Galicia Flashcards

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1
Q

Briefly describe the climate of wine regions in Galicia?

A

Cool, wet due to proximity to Atlantic

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2
Q

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?

A

RB 250,000hL - Rioja 3,000,000hL

Massive growth - 3,500hL produced in 1990s

RB 4000ha - Rioja 64,000ha

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3
Q

Describe how plantings + winemaking changed in RB the 1970/80s?

How did this impact the popularity of RB?

A

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

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4
Q

What style of wine is RB best known for?

A

Fresh fruity wines made with Albarino

Lemon, melon, peach

High acid, med alcohol, med(-)-med body

Good - VG, with some better

Mid-priced-premium

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5
Q

Describe the production structure in RB.

A

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

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6
Q

Describe the growing environment of RB including climate, rainfall, hazards and soil.

A

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

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7
Q

Why is Albarino so popular in RB? (4)

A
  1. Fungal disease resistance - thick skins
  2. Early-mid-ripening - can achieve full ripeness in most years
  3. Attractive flavour characteristics - apple, lemon, grapefruit, peach, floral –> fresh wines
  4. Attractive structural characteristics - high acidity, med(-)-med body and med alcohol –> fresh wines without being too thin
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8
Q

Which other grapes are planted in RB? Describe each briefly including ripening, flavour and structural characteristics.

A

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

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9
Q

Name the five sub-zones and describe the situation, climate and wines of the three most important.

A

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

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10
Q

What trellising systems are used in RB? Why?

A

Pergola promotes air circulation, previously used to allow other crops to grow underneath

VSP allows mechanisation while providing some degree of air circulation

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11
Q

Describe different approaches taken to winemaking in RB

A

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
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12
Q

Outline sales trends since 2000 in RB

A

Large growth in sales - see production

25% exported up from 10% in 2000 - US/UK largest

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13
Q

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?

A

Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras, Monterrei

More continentality

Godello and Mencia

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14
Q

Describe the situation, climate and wines of Ribeiro DO.

A

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

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15
Q

Describe the situation, climate, topography, and wines of Ribeira Sacra DO.

A

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

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16
Q

Describe the situation, climate, topography, and wines of Valdeorras DO.

A

Situation further inland up river Sil

Climate continental but rainy 700-1000mm

Topography Up to 300m altitude

Wines Godello –> citrus, stone fruit, herbal, mineral with med(+) acid; premium version in oak; Mencia also made but Godello most important

17
Q

Describe the situation, climate and wines of Monterrei DO.

A

Situation south of Ribeira Sacra, border with Portugal

Climate continental, sheltered by Sierra de Larouca mountains, hot summers, low rainfall

Wines inexpensive bulk wines + better quality Mencia and Godello