20.8 - Castilla-La Mancha Flashcards
Describe the situation, size, climate, topography, rainfall and soils of La Mancha DO.
Situation SE of Madrid, completely landlocked
Size 158,000ha (2.3x times size of Rioja)
Climate Continental, hot (45c in summer to -20c in winter)
Rainfall Low 300-400mm
Soil limestone and chalk
To what extent is irrigation relied upon?
40% of vineyards irrigated - relatively high
Drip irrigation most common
Contrast the planting density of un-irrigated and irrigated vineyards. How will this affect quality and price?
Unirrigated - 1000 VPH
Irrigated - 3000 VPH
Irrigated vineyards produce higher yield hL/ha but extra cost of installing and running irrigation
Dry farmed vines are also often planted untrellised - this can have cost implications - less money on trellising but must be hand harvested
Why are bush vines common in places such as La Mancha?
1) Dryness limits vigour which prevents an overly dense canopy
2) Grapes benefit from shading from hot, mid-day sun
3) Low cost of land compatible with low-density planting (although nothing to say vineyard can’t be irrigated)
What styles of wine are made in La Mancha?
Airen low-intensity, cheap wine (90,000ha), often distilled
Cencibel (Tempranillo) fruity style with short oak maturation; aged styles up to GR also found
How important are co-ops in the production of wine in La Mancha?
Where is wine sold?
Very important - Virgen de las Viñas is the largest co-op in Spain, whose members farm 20,000ha
40% exported - Chinese mkt largest and crow
Compare the climate and wine of Valdepenas to La Mancha
A much smaller DO to the south of La Mancha
Similarly hot continental climate
Mainly makes reds from Cencible that have red fruit and oak, soft tannin, med acid, good quality/inexpensive-mid-priced
What is a Vino de Pago?
Single estates with good reputations
9/18 are located in Castilla-La Mancha
Dominio de Valdepusa has one the best reps in the region
Castilla VT is how large compared to the name DOs of the region? What kind of wine is produced?
Twice the size
Similar climate and soil
Local and int’l varieties mainly inexpensive-mid-priced