Castilla-La Mancha Flashcards
Castilla-La Mancha is a large autonomous region, but where does it rank in Spain? What percentage of the mainland, and population?
Third
16% of mainland area
4% of population
What is Castilla-La Mancha bordered by?
N: Castilla y León, Madrid
E: Aragón, Valencia
S: Murcia, Andalucía
W: Extremadura
Castilla-La Mancha is divided into how many provinces?
Bonus: name them
Five
Albacete
Ciudad Real
Cuenca
Guadalajara
Toledo
Capital, largest city in Castilla-La Mancha?
Capital: Toledo 83k 4%
Largest city: Albacete (double that)
Climate of Castilla-La Mancha?
Continental
Eastern parts have Mediterranean influences
Which named wind influences which parts of Castilla-La Mancha? What are its synonyms? What effect does it have? When does it mainly blow?
Levante in eastern parts
aka Solano / Levanter
Becomes strong, hot and dry over land, lowers humidity to 70-30%
mainly May-October
In which parts of Castilla-La Mancha is the climate more extreme?
Western and central
Winter low and summer high temperatures in Castilla-La Mancha?
Winter min -10ºC
Summer max 40ºC
Rainfall in Castilla-La Mancha? When?
200-500mm
Mostly winter and early spring
How much of Castilla-La Mancha is the central plateau? How high is it?
approx 80%
610-760m
Which mountains border Castilla-La Mancha?
N: Sistema Central, Sistema Ibérico
S: Sierra Morena, Sistema Bético
(W: Montes de Toledo bisects part of Castilla-La Mancha
E: relatively flat up to Valencia)
Which of Spain’s main rivers flow through Castilla-La Mancha?
West to the Atlantic:
Tajo, Guadiana (region’s largest)
East to the Mediterranean:
Júcar, Segura
Are the soils of Castilla-La Mancha varied or homogenous?
Homogenous
Soil in most quality wine regions of Castilla-La Mancha? Challenges? Exceptions?
Limestone
Much limestone hardpan under topsoil, which needs breaking up.
Limestone is well-drained and climate is dry
W,NW: pockets of clay, sandy-clay
NE: clay, alluvium, granite
Clay more water retentive
Most planted grape in Castilla-La Mancha? Area? Where does it rank in Spain? In the world?
Airén
217,000 ha
also most-planted in Spain (22.3%)
4th most planted in the world
(and most-planted white)
Which two red grapes are gaining ground in Castilla-La Mancha?
Cencibel (Tempranillo): already most admired
Garnacha Tintorera: local favourite
Name the 7 main red grapes of Castilla-La Mancha
Cencibel (Tempranillo)
Garnacha Tintorera
Garnacha Tinta
Monastrell
Bobal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
In 2017, Castilla-La Mancha was what proprtion of the Spanish vineyard? What area? Where does that rank among autonomous regions of the world?
49.5%
473,331 ha
Largest of any autonomous region in the world
Main planting technique in Castilla-La Mancha? Also what, and why?
En vaso, in marco real
Investment from Spain, EU to replant espaldera for mechanisation and irrigation
The dry growing season in Castilla-La Mancha is allowing a rise in what kinds of vine treatments?
Organic
Castilla-La Mancha has historically produced mainly what style of wine?
Low-end, bulk
In Castilla-La Mancha, what was Airén mostly used for? And nowadays increasing used for?
Oxidative, alcoholic blanco; brandy.
Simple fresh varietals
DO Jumilla in Castilla-La Mancha extends into which other region? How much?
40% of vineyard and 70% of production is in Murcia
Name the largest wine-growing region (DOP) in the world
DO La Mancha
How many of Castilla-La Mancha’s five provinces include DO La Mancha?
Four
What proportion of DO La Mancha is planted to white grapes? What is the most common, at what proportion of whites?
Most common red, at what proportion of red grapes?
71% white grapes
of which Airén 88%
29% red grapes
of which 65% Cencibel (Tempranillo)
Style of Cencibel (Tempranillo) in Castilla-La Mancha?
Wide range, but mostly simple, ripe black fruit, soft tannin
Outline the unusual history of DO Manchuela’s recognition, in Castilla-La Mancha
Split from DO La Mancha in 1982 and regulated as a DOP, following pressure from quality-minded producers. But only formally recognised in 2000.
Where in Castilla-La Mancha is DO Manchuela? Which rivers frame it?
on the eastern border beside DO Utiel-Requena in Murcia
Rivers: Júcar, Cabriel