20.7 Spain - Valencia and Murcia Flashcards
What is the general climate of Valencia DO?
Mediterranean with low rainfall and cooling influences either from altitude (continental) or coastal proximity
What are the four key sub-zones of Valencia DO?
1) Alto Turia
2) Valentino
3) Clariano
4) Moscatel
Describe the location of Alto Turia
700-1,000, foothills of the Sistema Iberico mountain
What are the two predominant white varieties of Alto Turia?
Moscatel de Alejandria
Merseguera
Name a Vinos de Pagos in Valencia DO and its estate (pago)
El Terrerazo
Bodega Mustiguillo
At what altitude are the vineyards of Valentino planted?
200-650m
What are the main wines of the Moscatel sub-zone?
Moscatel de Valencia (sweet)
Vino de licor
What is vino de licor?
Unfermented grape must fortified with grape spirit
By whom and for what purpose are the majority of Valencia DO’s wines mape?
By co-ops for immediate consumption
What are the three main DOs of Valencia in terms of size?
1) Utiel-Requena DO 33,000 ha
2) Valencia DO 13,000 ha
3) Alicante DO 9,000 ha
What are the two main DOs of Murcia?
1) Jumilla DO
2) Yecla DO
What is the climate of Utiel-Requena DO and why?
Continental due to its inland location and average altitude of 750m
What is the main variety planted in Utiel-Requena DO?
Bobal
What are three positive characteristics of Bobal that make it suitable in Utiel-Requena?
1) Mid- to late-ripening
2) Drought tolerant
3) Able to retain acidity in hot climates
What is a negative characteristic of Bobal?
Uneven ripening resulting in unripe tannins
Where is most Utiel-Requena DO sold?
Exported
What might an inexpensive Bobal be like?
Light-bodied, medium tannins often made with semi-carbonic
What might a premium Bobal be like?
Concentrated with medium (+) tannins, medium (+) to full body, high acid and flavours of blackberry, black cherry and chocolate.
Wines from which neighbouring DOs may be labelled Alicante DO?
Jumilla and Yecla
What is the climate of Alicante DO?
Mediterranean with hot summers, cold winters and dry year-round
Describe Alicante DO’s main area of production, Vinalopo
To the west of the DO (and the city of Alicante) to vineyards around 500m near the Sierra de Salinas
What grape variety is most common in the Vinalopo sub-zone?
Monastrell
What grape variety is most common in the Marina Alta sub-zone?
Moscatel de Alejandria (sweet and dry)
Where is the Marina Alta sub-zone?
In the north east of the region on the coast
Red wines labelled Alicante DO must contain what per cent of what variety?
80% Monastrell
What is the general style of Alicante DO red wines? (5)
Full-bodied
High alcohol
High tannins
Ripe black fruit
Matured often in American oak
Besides Monastrell, what three black grape varieties are found in Alicante DO
Alicante Bouschet, Garnacha, Bobal
What is Fondillon?
A historic med-sweet red wine style produced in Alicante DO from late harvest Monastrell either vintage or solera
What are the three requirements of Fondillon?
1) Maximum 40 g/L residual sugar
2) 16% alcohol minimum without fortification
3) Minimum 10 years in large oak
What is the climate of Jumilla DO?
Continental with low rainfall
At what altitude are Jumilla DO’s vines planted?
400-800m
Despite Jumilla & Yecla’s low annual rainfall, irrigation is uncommon. Why?
The layer of limestone beneath sandy soils aids retention of ground water
What is the main variety of Jumilla DO & Yecla DO?
Monastrell
Describe the history of Jumilla DO (4)
1) Historically a producer of bulk wine
2) Devastated by phylloxera in 1989
3) Replanted with higher-quality rootstocks and clones
4) Revised vineyard management and winemaking (earlier harvesting, cooler fermentation)
Name a high quality produce of Jumilla DO
Casa Castillo
Besides Monastrell what are three Spanish and three Bordeaux varieties also found in Jumilla?
1) Garnacha
2) Tempranillo
3) Alicante Bouschet
1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Merlot
3) Petit Verdot
How are most Jumilla DO & Yecla DO wines sold?
Export
Between which two DOs is Yecla DO situated?
Alicante to the east
Jumilla to the west
What is Yecla DO’s climate?
Continental with more Mediterranean influence than Jumilla and low (300m) rainfall
At what altitudes are Yecla DO’s vines planted?
500-900m
Which business type is prevalent in Jumilla and Yecla?
Co-ops
