Castilla-La Mancha Flashcards

1
Q

Castilla-La Mancha is a large autonomous region, but where does it rank in Spain? What percentage of the mainland, and population?

A

Third
16% of mainland area
4% of population

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2
Q

What is Castilla-La Mancha bordered by?

A

N: Castilla y León, Madrid
E: Aragón, Valencia
S: Murcia, Andalucía
W: Extremadura

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3
Q

Castilla-La Mancha is divided into how many provinces?
Bonus: name them

A

Five

Albacete
Ciudad Real
Cuenca
Guadalajara
Toledo

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4
Q

Capital, largest city in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Capital: Toledo 83k 4%
Largest city: Albacete (double that)

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5
Q

Climate of Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Continental
Eastern parts have Mediterranean influences

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6
Q

Which named wind influences which parts of Castilla-La Mancha? What are its synonyms? What effect does it have? When does it mainly blow?

A

Levante in eastern parts
aka Solano / Levanter
Becomes strong, hot and dry over land, lowers humidity to 70-30%
mainly May-October

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7
Q

In which parts of Castilla-La Mancha is the climate more extreme?

A

Western and central

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8
Q

Winter low and summer high temperatures in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Winter min -10ºC
Summer max 40ºC

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9
Q

Rainfall in Castilla-La Mancha? When?

A

200-500mm
Mostly winter and early spring

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10
Q

How much of Castilla-La Mancha is the central plateau? How high is it?

A

approx 80%
610-760m

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11
Q

Which mountains border Castilla-La Mancha?

A

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)

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12
Q

Which of Spain’s main rivers flow through Castilla-La Mancha?

A

West to the Atlantic:
Tajo, Guadiana (region’s largest)

East to the Mediterranean:
Júcar, Segura

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13
Q

Are the soils of Castilla-La Mancha varied or homogenous?

A

Homogenous

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14
Q

Soil in most quality wine regions of Castilla-La Mancha? Challenges? Exceptions?

A

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

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15
Q

Most planted grape in Castilla-La Mancha? Area? Where does it rank in Spain? In the world?

A

Airén
217,000 ha
also most-planted in Spain (22.3%)
4th most planted in the world
(and most-planted white)

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16
Q

Which two red grapes are gaining ground in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Cencibel (Tempranillo): already most admired
Garnacha Tintorera: local favourite

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17
Q

Name the 7 main red grapes of Castilla-La Mancha

A

Cencibel (Tempranillo)
Garnacha Tintorera
Garnacha Tinta
Monastrell
Bobal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah

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18
Q

In 2017, Castilla-La Mancha was what proprtion of the Spanish vineyard? What area? Where does that rank among autonomous regions of the world?

A

49.5%
473,331 ha
Largest of any autonomous region in the world

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19
Q

Main planting technique in Castilla-La Mancha? Also what, and why?

A

En vaso, in marco real
Investment from Spain, EU to replant espaldera for mechanisation and irrigation

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20
Q

The dry growing season in Castilla-La Mancha is allowing a rise in what kinds of vine treatments?

A

Organic

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21
Q

Castilla-La Mancha has historically produced mainly what style of wine?

A

Low-end, bulk

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22
Q

In Castilla-La Mancha, what was Airén mostly used for? And nowadays increasing used for?

A

Oxidative, alcoholic blanco; brandy.
Simple fresh varietals

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23
Q

DO Jumilla in Castilla-La Mancha extends into which other region? How much?

A

40% of vineyard and 70% of production is in Murcia

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24
Q

Name the largest wine-growing region (DOP) in the world

A

DO La Mancha

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25
Q

How many of Castilla-La Mancha’s five provinces include DO La Mancha?

A

Four

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26
Q

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?

A

71% white grapes
of which Airén 88%

29% red grapes
of which 65% Cencibel (Tempranillo)

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27
Q

Style of Cencibel (Tempranillo) in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Wide range, but mostly simple, ripe black fruit, soft tannin

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28
Q

Outline the unusual history of DO Manchuela’s recognition, in Castilla-La Mancha

A

Split from DO La Mancha in 1982 and regulated as a DOP, following pressure from quality-minded producers. But only formally recognised in 2000.

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29
Q

Where in Castilla-La Mancha is DO Manchuela? Which rivers frame it?

A

on the eastern border beside DO Utiel-Requena in Murcia

Rivers: Júcar, Cabriel

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30
Q

Which need-to-know DOs in Castilla-La Mancha have a climate: Continental with Mediterranean influences

A

DO Jumilla
DO Manchuela

31
Q

What effect do winds from the Mediterranean have on grapes in DO Manchuela in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

They humidify and cool the dry climate and slow ripening

32
Q

What is the main wine style of DO Manchuela in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Varietal Bobal

33
Q

What unusual winemaking technique is used in DO Manchuela in Castilla-La Mancha. Which other DO uses it?

A

Doble pasta
Also in DO Utiel-Requena in Murcia

34
Q

What proportion of red wine plantings in DO Manchuela is Cencibel (Tempranillo)? What is it especially known for?

A

10% of red plantings and rising,
especially as varietal wine

35
Q

Apart from Bobal and Cencibel, what are other grapes in DO Manchuela mostly used for?

A

Blends (red and white)

36
Q

In DO Manchuela in Castilla-La Mancha, what are the grape restrictions on vinos rosados?

A

Min 85% authorised red varieties

37
Q

What does Valdepeñas mean?

A

Valley of Stones

38
Q

When was DO Valdepeñas in Castilla-La Mancha officially recognised?

A

It’s an original DO from the 1932 Wine Statute

39
Q

Which river flows through DO Valdepeñas in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Jabalón

40
Q

Climate of DO Valdepeñas in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Continental
(fully)

41
Q

In DO Valdepeñas in Castilla-La Mancha, which mountain range blocks Mediterranean influence?

A

Sierra Morena to the south

42
Q

‘Sophisticated’ winemaking facilities were found archeologically in DO Valdepeñas in Castilla-La Mancha, dating back to when?

A

700 BCE

43
Q

How did Valdepeñas in Castilla-La Mancha continue producing wine during Arab rule?

A

Special dispensation from the Caliphate of Toledo

44
Q

Which unique style of wine has Valdepeñas in Castilla-La Mancha been known for, since the late 16C? How was it made, and how is it today? From which grapes?

A

Aloque
aka Clarete

Traditionally by blending red and white wines (after fermentation), and ageing in tinajas (large earthernware jars).
Nowadays red/white field blends in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.

Cencibel and Airén

45
Q

In DO Valdepeñas in Castilla-La Mancha, what are the grape restrictions on:
vinos tintos?
vinos rosados?

A

tintos: 85% authorised red grapes
rosados: 25% authorised red grapes

46
Q

What ageing designations are used in DO Valdepeñas in Castilla-La Mancha? What barrels are often used, to produce what flavour?

A

The usual crianza, reserva, gran reserva.
Neutral barrels for dried fruit (not oak) flavours

47
Q

Name the two need-to-know Vinos de Pago in Castilla-La Mancha. What were they first for?

A

VP Dominio de Valdepusa
VP Finca Élez
The first two Vinos de Pago in Spain

48
Q

Where is VP Dominio de Valdepusa?

A

A Vinos de Pago in the Montes de Toledo, northwest Castilla-La Mancha

49
Q

Who owns VP Dominio de Valdepusa in Castilla-La Mancha? How the family come to own it?

A

Carlos Falcó, Marques de Griñón

gifted by King Sancho IV of Castile in late 13C

50
Q

How old are the buildings, botanical gardens, and Iberian oak trees (Quercus Ilex) at VP Dominio de Valdepusa in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

18C

51
Q

Most Vinos de Pago focus on what grape varieties?

A

International

52
Q

VP Dominio de Valdepusa in Castilla-La Mancha makes varietal wine from which grapes? What is also planted? What is notably not planted?

A

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon (planted first in 1974), Syrah, Petit Verdot, Graciano
Also: Merlot
Not: Tempranillo

(makes three blends)

53
Q

Name some innovations that have been trialed at VP Dominio de Valdepusa in Castilla-La Mancha

A

High density planting
Various canopy management
Drip irrigation
Tube planting to bypass top 25cm clay

54
Q

Where is VP Finca Élez in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Southeast border of DO La Mancha in the heart of the Sierra de Alcaraz

55
Q

Who owns VP Finca Élez in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Viñedos y Bodegas Manuel Manzaneque

56
Q

Main grapes at VP Finca Élez in Castilla-La Mancha? How did they get there?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Chardonnay

Personally brought from Bordeaux, Rhône, Burgundy

57
Q

VP Finca Élez in Castilla-La Mancha makes eight wines. How many varietal and from which grapes? Which are the most celebrated?

A

Four varietal:
3 Chardonnay (celebrated)
1 Syrah
the other 4 wines are blends

58
Q

VP Finca Élez in Castilla-La Mancha is most celebrated for its varietal Chardonnay. What proportion of its production is white wine?

A

only 5% blanco

59
Q

Which need-to-know DO in Castilla-La Mancha makes the most rosado? Grape restrictions?

A

DO Manchuela
30% rosado
min 85% authorised red varieties

60
Q

What proportion tinto is produced by VP Dominio de Valdepusa in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

100% tinto

61
Q

Which DO in Castilla-La Mancha has the largest vineyard? And the smallest?

A

DO La Mancha
165,470 ha (largest DOP in the world)

DO Manchuela 6,709 ha

62
Q

When were the man-made mounds 4-10m high and 4-5km apart constructed in Castilla-La Mancha?
what are they called?
what were they for?
why were they made?

A

2200-1500 BCE
Motillas
probably ground water collection and retention
following a century-long drought starting 2200 BCE (‘4.2ky event’)

63
Q

When did the Phoenicians arrive in Castilla-La Mancha with wine culture?

A

1100 BCE

64
Q

When did Carthaginians arrive in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

3C BCE

65
Q

Name four cities on the Via Augusta (Latin and modern names)?

A

Caesaraugusta (Zaragoza, Aragón)
Toletum (Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha)
Emerita Augusta (Mérida, Extremadura)
Gades (Cádiz, Andalucía)
where they sailed to Rome

66
Q

In what year did the Visigoths name Toledo the capital of their Kingdom of Toledo?

A

569

67
Q

Who introduced Merino sheep to Spain? When did Spain enjoy almost a wool monopoly? Which sheep (and where) produce these cheeses:
Manchego?
La Serena?
Torta del Cesar?

A

Romans or Moors
12-16C

Manchego: Manchega sheep (La Mancha)
La Serena, Torta del Cesar: Merino sheep (Extremadura)

68
Q

What is a possible origin of the word ‘Mancha’?

A

from Moorish: Manxa / Al-Mansha meaning ‘land without water’ (possibly)

69
Q

What does castilla mean?

A

Land of castles
(remnants of nearly 200 castles in Castilla-La Mancha)

70
Q

In which century did Castilla-La Mancha, like much of Spain, enjoy a population and economic boom, and the height of art and literature in the Spanish Golden Age?

A

17C

71
Q

How did Castilla-La Mancha fare during the Spanish Civil War?

A

Bloody battleground, mass emigration abroad or to industrialised parts of Spain

72
Q

When did Castilla-La Mancha start to recover after the Spanish Civil War?

A

late in the Franco regime; industry and agriculture recovered, people returned home

73
Q

When was Castilla-La Mancha approved as an autonomous region? When was Toledo named the capital?

A

1982
1983