20.2 - Castilla y León Flashcards
Briefly describe the situation and climate of Castilla y León.
The northern end of Meseta
Mainly continental
Mountains to north and south
Some maritime influence in west
Describe the situation, climate, topography rainfall and soils of Bierzo DO.
Situation north-west corner of the meseta with mountains on three sides, open to the west
Climate similar to continental Galicia with still more continentality –> VV
Topography plain in middle and lower slopes of lesser wines; slopes 500-850m for best
Soils plain and lower slopes –> silt/loam; upper slopes –> shallow, slate
Why is Mencia suited to being grown in Bierzo?
Describe the styles of wine produced with the grapes.
Mencia is early-mid-ripening –> diurnal range and some cooling influence from maritime prevents loss of acidity and elevated sugar levels
Plains/lower slopes high acid, med(-) body, carbonic/semi-carbonic maceration, good/mid-priced
Middle/upper slopes ripe red cherry, plum, floral, herbal with med-med(+) body and tannin, more alcohol; oak matured; VG-outstanding/mid-priced-premium
Name two significant Bierzo producers.
Descendientes de J. Palacios, Raul Perez
How much does Bierzo DO produce each vintage? To what extent does this vary?
How large is the area under vine? How does this compare to Rioja?
Average over past 10 vintages - 96,000hL (about 3.2% of Rioja)
Highly variable due to weather conditions
3000ha vs. 64,000ha
Describe the structure of production in Bierzo DO. To what extent are vineyards classified by quality?
3000ha divided by 2000 growers
50% of growers work with co-ops
Small but growing number of wineries - 75
CR established new classifications based on villages and vineyards + yield restrictions similar to Priorat DOQ.
Describe the situation, climate, topography, rainfall and soils of Toro DO.
Situation west of CyL along the River Duero
Climate Continental with large diurnals due to…
Topography 620-750m
Rainfall low
Soils sandy –> phylloxera
What are the main viticultural hazards in Toro DO?
- Spring frost - continentality
- Drought - low rainfall, irrigation not allowed from June onwards
How is the risk of drought managed in Toro DO? (2)
Low density - as little as 2,700 VPH
Irrigation - prior to June to ensure success flowering and fruit set
Name two notable features of the vines in Toro DO?
- Ungrafted - sandy soils –> no phylloxera
- Old vines - 20% more than 50 years old
- Bush vines - vast majority
What is the main grape variety in Toro DO?
Tinta de Toro - a mutation of Tempranillo better suited to warm conditions
Thicker skin –> deeper colour and more tannin
Reds min 75% Tinta de Toro
What styles of wine are produced in Toro?
Connect the climate to the reds produced.
Reds - min 75% Tinta de Toro (rest is Garncha) –> deep colour, high alcohol, full-body, high/ripe tannins, ripe flavours balanced by med(+) or high acidity thanks to diurnals
Rose - from TdT or Garncha
White - from Malvasia or Verdejo
Why are cooler sites popular in Toro?
Sites at high altitude or facing north popular as DO limits ABV to 15% for reds and moderating factors needed to slow ripening
Name a winemaking technique associated with inexpensive and mid-priced wines and another associated with premium and super-premium wines.
Explain the impact each has on the wine.
Name a producer known for quality wine.
Carbonic maceration reduced tannin extraction and enhance fruit
Oak ageing to soften the tannin and introduce oak flavours esp. via new oak and American oak
Numathia
Outline trends in the number of wineries and production volume in Toro
Account for these trends.
8 –> 50 wineries in 25 years
Popularity and higher land prices in Ribera del Duero
Briefly outline the history of wine production in Ribera del Duero.
Vega Sicilia founded in late c19th
Very few wineries - ~9 when DO formed in 1982
Pesquera wone int’l acclaim in 80s –> encouraged growers to make their own wine rather than sell to co-ops
280 wineries today
Why are some producers worried about Ribera del Duero’s rapid expansion?
Rapid expansion of the vineyard area may mean a reduction in quality and dilution of the DO’s soft brand.
Describe the situation, climate, topography, rainfall, and viticultural hazards of Ribera del Duero.
Situation upper valley of Deuro river, east of Toro and Rueda
Climate similar to T and R with more continentality
Topography high altitude vineyards 750-1000m
Rainfall low 400-600mm
Hazards Frost in spring and autumn (implications?), drought during ripening
How can growers tackle Ribera del Duero’s principle viticultural hazards?
Frost heats, spraying vines with water, helicopters; growing across a diversity of sites
Drought irrigation is allowed before ripening to protect flowering and fruit set; low density planting
Which part of Ribera del Duero is usually cooler? Why?
Eastern side due to higher elevation
N.B. region has a range of aspects and elevation
Which grape varieties are grown in Ribera del Duero?
What styles of wine do they produce?
Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) - which may be blended with Garnacha and int’l varieties (but often single varietal) –> ripe, oak heavy, full-bodied, high alcohol
Small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha
Albillo Mayor - recently authorised to be used in white wine production
How are vines typically trained/trellised in Ribera del Duero?
How old are many vineyards?
What size are most vineyards?
1/2 are bush vines, newer vineyards are trellised
1/4 >50yrs old
The majority of plots are <1ha (very small)
Outline trends in winemaking in Ribera del Duero
Highly extracted / oaky style is king with up 100% new French or American oak
N.B. Crianza is most popular ageing category
Trend towards less extraction, shorter post-ferment maceration and less new oak (quality producers)
How much does Ribera del Duero produce? (Cf Rioja).
How much is exported?
Around 650,000 hL (Rioja = 3,000,000 hL)
Around 20%
What style of wine is Rueda known for? How has this changed?
Past 50 years oxidative, fortified wine
Today fresh, fruity white wines after initial investment by Marques de Riscal winery
Describe the situation, climate, soil, rainfall, and topography of Rueda.
Situation between Toro and Ribera del Duero
Climate similar to above
Rainfall low
Topography 700-800m
Soil topsoil of stones and sand then sandy clay and limestone bedrock –> free-draining and low in nutrients –> vigour
Describe the characteristics flavour and structural characteristics of Verdejo.
Why is it able to be grown successfully in Rueda?
Flavour Pear, peach, herbal, bitter
Structure Med-med(+) acid, med alcohol
Drought tolerant
Which grapes are planted in Rueda?
Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc which are single-varietal or blended
A small amount of red and rose made from Tempranillo (but demand met by nearby regions)
How are vines trained and trellised in Rueda?
New vineyards are VSP’d - esp. important as desirable to harvest at night –> machine
Some very old bush vines (incl. pre-phylloxera) - around 10% of vineyard area
Describe wine production in Rueda for inexpensive, mid-priced and premium wines.
Inexpensive vast majority, SST and cultured yeast, bottled immediately for sale
Mid-priced lees ageing, stirring for few months - 1 year
Premium oak fermented/matured
Malo avoided in all styles –> acidity
Describe and explain trends in production and sales in the past 20 years in Rueda.
Production up 4x
Sales by value up 7x
Due to the popularity of fruity, crisp styles at low price
Mainly via domestic market growth with help from exports
Sales volume around 600,000 hL (1/5 Rioja)
Where has investment in Rueda come from?
Wineries in Rioja and Ribera del Duero –> adding white wine to their portfolio.
Winemaking companies outside Rueda account for 40% of production
Describe the area covered by Castilla y León VT, its climate, vineyard area and wines produced.
Large area in the northern part of Meseta
Continental climate with moderation from altitude
Modest vineyard area (9000ha vs 63,000ha for DOs in the region)
Wines produced using wine range of grapes that lie outside DO rules, most inexpensive-mid-priced, some premium
