20.2 Spain - Castilla y Leon Flashcards by Shaun Walton

What are the four key DOs of Castilla y León east to west?

1) Bierzo DO
2) Toro DO
3) Rueda DO
4) Ribera del Duero DO

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What soil type can be found across Castilla y Leon that means there are some very old vines in all regions?

Sand

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What Castilla y Leon DO has maritime influence? Why?

1) Bierzo
2) Due to being open to the west (the other three sides are bordered by mountains or hills

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What is the key black grape of Bierzo?

Mencia

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When does Mencia ripen?

Early to mid

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Bierzo reds must be what per cent Mencia with the remaining per cent what variety?

1) 70%
2) Alicante Bouschet

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What is the altitude of the better Bierzo vineyards?

Steep 500-850m

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What are the soils of the better Bierzo vineyards?

Shallow slaate

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What winemaking technique might be employed for inexpensive Bierzo and Toro? Why?

1) (Semi-)carbonic maceration
2) Extract less tannin and enhance fruity characters

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Mencia can lose acidity and accumulate sugar rapidly. Why are the the sites at altitude in Bierzo ideal for this variety?

The diurnal range preserves acidity and lengthens the ripening period

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What form of vine training is common in Bierzo?

Bush

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What are two contributing factors to Bierzo DO’s low yields?

1) Poor nutrient, free-draining soils
2) High percentage of old bush vines

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What are the soils of the lower slopes and plains of Bierzo?

Fertile silty loam soils

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Name a key producer of Bierzo

Raul Perez.

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Why is machine harvesting uncommon in Bierzo? (2)

1) Bush vines
2) Almost 2,400 ha is planted, and tended by just over 1,100 growers, many with very small plots.

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What is the climate of all Castilla y Leon DOs?

Continental with hot summers and cold winters

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What is Toro DO’s altitude?

620-750m

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Given Toro DO’s location, what is a climatic concern?

Spring frost due to no moderating influence of water etc

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What is the main grape of Toro DO?

Tinta de Toro (similar to Tempranillo with thicker skins)

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Red Toro wines must be what minimum per cent Tinta de Toro?

75%

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What other variety is permitted in Toro DO red wines?

Garnacha

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Toro DO whites are made from which two varieties?

1) Malvasia
2) Verdejo

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When is irrigation disallowed in Toro DO?

From June until after harvest

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How do Toro DO growers combat the limited water of the region?

By planting low density (2,700 max) bush vineyards with a low number of bunches per vine

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What is the main soil type of Toro DO?

Sand

Where might vines be planted in Toro DO to combat the intense sun and keep final alcohol levels below the limit of 15%? (2)

1) To the west of the region where the altitude is higher 2) On north-facing slopes

Name a high quality Toro DO producer

Numanthia

Describe a common Toro DO red wine. Hint: think SAT (4)

1) Full-bodied 2) Deep colour 3) Ripe black fruit 4) Medium to high acidity

Premium Toro DO red wines might be aged in oak. True or false?

True - American or French

What has historically hampered Toro DOs sales, and what has contributed to the growth of Toro DO?

1) Its location far from major cities and ports 2)The success of Ribera del Duero prompted investors to show interest in the region

What was the first winery to be established in Ribera de Duero?

Vega Sicilia

What wine is credited with encouraging the expansion of the Ribera del Duero DO?

Alejandro Fernandez's 'Pesquera'

Ribera del Duero has seen rapid expansion since the 1980s with many producers now making their own wine rather than sending to co-operatives. What is a danger of such growth?

The overall quality of production from the region could be diluted by inexperienced winemakers or lower quality fruit

What is the altitude range of Ribera del Duero?

750-1,000m

When are frosts a problem in Ribera del Duero and what are the consequences?

1) Spring and autumn 2) It limits the time the grapes can be left on the vine with the potential for serious yield reduction

Is irrigation permitted in Ribera del Duero? Why?

1) Yes, but not during ripening 2) Low rainfall (400-600mm annum)

Which area of Ribera del Duero is the higher altitude?

The east/upper Duero

What is the local synonym for Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero?

Tinto Fino

How are the majority of Ribera del Duero vines planted?

Bush with newer vineyards being VSP trellised to establish quicker

In what year was is made possible to produce white wine in Ribera del Duero?

2019

What is the local white variety of Ribera del Duero and what per cent must be included in the region's white wines?

1) Albillo Mayor 2) 75%

The red wines of Ribera del Duero must be what per cent Tempranillo?

75% (though many are 100%)

Describe a typical RDD red (SAT) (4)

1) Full-bodied 2) High alcohol 3) Black fruit 4) New oak vanilla etc

Besides Tempranillo what five other varieties may be included in a RDD red wine?

1) Cabernet Sauvignon 2) Merlot 3) Malbec 4) Garnacha 5) Albillo

Besides Vega Sicilia, name a significant producer of Ribera del Duero

Dominio de Pingus

All Spain's ageing categories are used, but what is the most commonly used in Ribera del Duero?

Crianza

What oak is more commonly used in Ribera del Duero?

French (sometimes up to 100% new for premium wines)

What is unique about Rueda when compared with the other three DOs of Castilla y Leon?

It mostly produces white wines

What is the altitude of Rueda?

700-800m

What are the soils in Rueda?

Limestone bedrock with sandy clay subsoil with a stone or sandy topsoil

What is the key grape variety of Rueda?

Verdejo

What other white variety may be blended with Verdejo or produced on its own?

Sauvignon Blanc

Why is Verdejo suited to Rueda's climate?

It is relatively drought tolerant

Name a significant producer of Rueda DO

Ossian

How are inexpensive Rueda DO wines handled in the winery?

Protective winemaking at cool temperatures in stainless steel

Mid-priced Rueda might have undergone what winemaking technique?

Lees stirring for added texture and body

A winery's flagship Rueda might have undergone what winemaking technique?

Fermentation and/or oak maturation

Is MLC encouraged at any Rueda price level?

If a wine is labelled DO Rueda-Verdejo, it must contain what per cent Verdejo?

85%

If a wine is labelled DO Rueda-Verdejo what might it signify?

It's the producer's top cuvee

What is the production and sales trend of Rueda DO?

4x growth mainly driven by domestic consumption

Producers from which two regions also make Rueda DO as part of their white portfolio?

Rioja Ribera del Duero

Where is Castilla y Leon's Vino de la Tierra (VT), and what is it chiefly responsible for?

1) Castilla y Leon 2) Gi wine to be made from vineyards outside of the DOs