20.7 - Valencia and Murcia Flashcards
Generalise the climate, vineyard management and wines in Valencia and Murcia.
Climate hot, dry (continental/Med)
Vineyard management Newer → trellised + VSP, older → bush vines
Wines Large cheap, bulk shipped wine with growing number of Q
Describe the situation, climate and rainfall of Valencia.
Situation Alto Turia + Valentino
Climate Warm Med, coastal + altitude to cool
Rainfall Low 450mm → irrigation
Compare and contrast the growing environment and wines of the Alto Turia and Valentino
Situation
- AT → foothills of Sistema Iberico
- Valentino S → sea
Elevation
- AT → high altitude(700-1100m)
- V → 200-650m
Wines
- AT → Moscatel de Alejandría
+ Merseguera of varying Q - V → all types
What part of Valencia is known for sweet and fortified wines? Which grapes are used?
Inland from Valentino
Moscatel de Alejandría
Describe the typical quality of wine made in Valencia.
majority inexp, fruity → co-ops
Small, but growing production of good-VG from producer-growers → local varieties
Describe the situation, climate, elevation and rainfall of Utiel-Requena.
Situation inland, N end of Valencia next to La Mancha
Climate warm, continental
Elevation → HIGH 750m
Rainfall → LOW 450mm
Which grape is most widely planted in Utiel-Requena? Describe why it is well-suited to growing there (3) and the style of wines produced including flavour, structure, and quality-price.
Bobal
- Mid-late budding → avoids frosts
- Drought tolerant → low rainfall
- Retains acid → hot climate
- Produces red wines and rose of varying styles - semi-carbo for light through to old-vines, destemmed for full-bodied
- Flavours Blackberry, black cherry, chocolate
- Structure High acid, med-med(+) tannin, light-full body
- Quality-Price Acc-VG/inexp-mid-priced
Describe the situation, climate, elevation and rainfall in Alicante.
Situation S-most part of Valencia near coast
Climate Med
Elevation Varies from coastal to 500m
Rainfall Extremely low 250mm
Which grapes are widely grown in Alicante?
Monastrell - 75% of plantings
Other black - Alicante Bouschet, Garnacha and Bobal
Whites - Moscatel de Alejandría
Name any important sub-zones within Alicante. How does the growing environment differ? What wines do they specialise in producing?
Marina Alta
- NE near coast
- Humid breezes
- rainfall (500mm)
- Moscatel de Alejandría for dry and sweet wine
Why is Monastrell widely planted in Alicante? How is it planted?
- Late-rip
- acid retention and drought tolerance make it suited to climate
- Planted bush vines at low density
Describe the blend, style and structure of red wine from Alicante DO.
Blend >80% Monastrell with Alicante Bouschet, Garnacha and Bobal making up the balanced
Flavours Ripe black fruit + oak
Structure Full-bodied, high abv, high tannin
N.B. some producers going for a fresher, lighter style
What is Fondillón?
- An historic style
- med-sweet red wine from late harvest Monastrell
- from Alicante
- Tends to be oxidative in style
Outline the winemaking rules for Fondillón?
- Max 40g/L
- Min 16% ABV
- At least 10 years in oak (often very large barrels)
- Can be either vintage or solera blend
Describe the situation, size (relative to Rioja), climate, topography, rainfall and soil of Jumilla.
Situation between Alicante and La Mancha
Size 25,000ha (cf. Rioja 64,000ha)
Climate warm, continental
Topography large, flat plains 400-800m altitude
Rainfall is extremely low 250mm
Soil Sand on limestone (water retention?)
