20.2 Spain - Castilla y Leon Flashcards

1
Q

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

A

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

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2
Q

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

A

Sand

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3
Q

What Castilla y Leon DO has maritime influence? Why?

A

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

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4
Q

What is the key black grape of Bierzo?

A

Mencia

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5
Q

When does Mencia ripen?

A

Early to mid

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6
Q

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

A

1) 70%
2) Alicante Bouschet

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7
Q

What is the altitude of the better Bierzo vineyards?

A

Steep 500-850m

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8
Q

What are the soils of the better Bierzo vineyards?

A

Shallow slaate

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9
Q

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

A

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

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10
Q

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

A

The diurnal range preserves acidity and lengthens the ripening period

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11
Q

What form of vine training is common in Bierzo?

A

Bush

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12
Q

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

A

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

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13
Q

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

A

Fertile silty loam soils

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14
Q

Name a key producer of Bierzo

A

Raul Perez.

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15
Q

Why is machine harvesting uncommon in Bierzo? (2)

A

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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16
Q

What is the climate of all Castilla y Leon DOs?

A

Continental with hot summers and cold winters

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17
Q

What is Toro DO’s altitude?

A

620-750m

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18
Q

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

A

Spring frost due to no moderating influence of water etc

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19
Q

What is the main grape of Toro DO?

A

Tinta de Toro (similar to Tempranillo with thicker skins)

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20
Q

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

A

75%

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21
Q

What other variety is permitted in Toro DO red wines?

A

Garnacha

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22
Q

Toro DO whites are made from which two varieties?

A

1) Malvasia
2) Verdejo

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23
Q

When is irrigation disallowed in Toro DO?

A

From June until after harvest

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24
Q

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

A

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

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25
Q

What is the main soil type of Toro DO?

A

Sand

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26
Q

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

A

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

27
Q

Name a high quality Toro DO producer

A

Numanthia

28
Q

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

A

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

29
Q

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

A

True - American or French

30
Q

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

A

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

31
Q

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

A

Vega Sicilia

32
Q

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

A

Alejandro Fernandez’s ‘Pesquera’

33
Q

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?

A

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

34
Q

What is the altitude range of Ribera del Duero?

A

750-1,000m

35
Q

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

A

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

36
Q

Is irrigation permitted in Ribera del Duero? Why?

A

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

37
Q

Which area of Ribera del Duero is the higher altitude?

A

The east/upper Duero

38
Q

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

A

Tinto Fino

39
Q

How are the majority of Ribera del Duero vines planted?

A

Bush with newer vineyards being VSP trellised to establish quicker

40
Q

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

A

2019

41
Q

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

A

1) Albillo Mayor
2) 75%

42
Q

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

A

75% (though many are 100%)

43
Q

Describe a typical RDD red (SAT) (4)

A

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

44
Q

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

A

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

45
Q

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

A

Dominio de Pingus

46
Q

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

A

Crianza

47
Q

What oak is more commonly used in Ribera del Duero?

A

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

48
Q

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

A

It mostly produces white wines

49
Q

What is the altitude of Rueda?

A

700-800m

50
Q

What are the soils in Rueda?

A

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

51
Q

What is the key grape variety of Rueda?

A

Verdejo

52
Q

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

A

Sauvignon Blanc

53
Q

Why is Verdejo suited to Rueda’s climate?

A

It is relatively drought tolerant

54
Q

Name a significant producer of Rueda DO

A

Ossian

55
Q

How are inexpensive Rueda DO wines handled in the winery?

A

Protective winemaking at cool temperatures in stainless steel

56
Q

Mid-priced Rueda might have undergone what winemaking technique?

A

Lees stirring for added texture and body

57
Q

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

A

Fermentation and/or oak maturation

58
Q

Is MLC encouraged at any Rueda price level?

A

No

59
Q

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

A

85%

60
Q

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

A

It’s the producer’s top cuvee

61
Q

What is the production and sales trend of Rueda DO?

A

4x growth mainly driven by domestic consumption

62
Q

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

A

Rioja
Ribera del Duero

63
Q

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

A

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