20.2 - Castilla y León Flashcards
Briefly describe the situation and climate of Castilla y León.
- N end of Meseta
- continental
- Mountaines
- Some maritime influence in W
Describe the situation, climate, topography rainfall and soils of Bierzo DO.
Situation
- NW of meseta
- mountains on 3 sides → open to W → maratime influence
Climate continental
Topography
- plain in middle
- lower slopes(fertile) → lesser Q wines
- slopes 500-850m for best Q
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.
Early-mid-ripening
diurnal range + some cooling maritime influence → prevents loss of acid + elevated sugar
Plains/lower slopes
- high acid
- med(-) body
- carbonic/semi-carbonic maceration
- good/mid-priced
Middle/upper slopes
- ripe red cherry, plum, floral, herbal
- med-med(+) body and tannin
- more alcohol
- oak matured
- VG-outst/mid-priced-prem
Describe the situation, climate, topography, rainfall and soils of Toro DO.
Situation W of CyL along River Duero
Climate Continental + large diurnals
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 → some 2,700 VPH
Irrigation → prior to June → success flowering + 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
What is the main grape variety in Toro DO?
Tinta de Toro
mutation of Tempranillo better suited to warm conditions
Thicker skin → deeper colour + 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 Garncha)
- deep colour
- high alcohol
- full-body
- high/ripe tannins
- ripe flavours balanced by highish acid → diurnals
Rose - from TdT/Garncha
White - Malvasia/Verdejo
Why are cooler sites popular in Toro?
high altitude/facing N sites
→ popular as DO limits ABV to 15% for reds
→ 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, enhance fruit
Oak ageing
soften tannin + introduce oak flavours
Numathia
Describe the situation, climate, topography, rainfall, and viticultural hazards of Ribera del Duero.
Situation upper valley of Deuro river, E Toro + Rueda
Climate similar to T and R with more continentality
Topography high altitude 750-1000m
Rainfall low 400-600mm
Hazards Frost in spring and autumn, drought during ripening
How can growers tackle Ribera del Duero’s principle viticultural hazards?
Frost
- heat
- asp
- helicopters
- growing across diversity of sites
Drought
- irrigation is allowed before rip to protect flowering + fruit set
- low density planting
Which part of Ribera del Duero is usually cooler? Why?
E → 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)
- may be blended with Garnacha + int’l varieties or single
- ripe, oak heavy,
- full-bodied, high alcohol
some C.S, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha
Albillo Mayor - recently authorised to be used in white wine production
