Castilla y León

Question 1

What is the largest autonomía in Spain?

Answer 1

Castilla y León “land of castles”

Question 2

What is the climate in Castilla y León? Moderated by?

Answer 2

continental, slightly moderated by proximity to Atlantic and Mediterranean

Question 3

What river flows through the center of Castilla y León?

Answer 3

The Duero River on its way to Portugal

Question 4

What is the main red grape in Bierzo? What river is nearby?

Answer 4

Mencía

The Sil River

Question 5

Who makes the Corullón wines? Why is it significant/describe?

Answer 5

Descendientes de José Palacios - Alvaro Palacios (Priorat) with his nephew - instant fame - old vine mencia

Question 6

Dominant white grape of Bierzo and what challenges it?

Answer 6

• Palomino still most planted

- Godello and Doña Blanca show more promise

Question 7

When was Tierra de León DO upgraded from VdlT and what kind of wine is made?

Answer 7

2007

• reds whites and rosados
• best are reds from Mencía and local Prieto picudo

Question 8

What two towns are surrounded by Ribera del Duero?

Answer 8

Aranda de Duero and Peñafiel

Question 9

Who founded Vega Sicilia? When?

What new winemaker achieved international acclaim?

Answer 9

Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves
1864 - planted BDX varietals and PN next to temp

Domingo Txomin’s 1917/18 Único at Barcelona’s World Fair

Question 10

What is the blend of Único?

Answer 10

Tinto del Pais (tempranillo), Cab Sauv, Merlot
Often aged over 10 yrs
American and French Oak

Question 11

When did RdD achieve DO?

Answer 11

1982

Question 12

Who is rival of Vega Sicilia in RdD?

Answer 12

Pesquera, since 1980s

Question 13

Two other cult wineries in RdD?

Answer 13

Dominio de Pingus

Aalto

Question 14

What colors wine be made under RdD DO?

Answer 14

Red, and small amount of Rosado

NO WHITE

Question 15

What is tempranillo known as in RdD?

Answer 15

Tinto del País

Tinto Fino

Question 16

When did Rueda achieve DO? What is the main white grape here and who rejuvenated it?

Answer 16

• 1980
• Verdejo rejuvenated by Marques de Riscal in 70s
• Often blended with Viura, if not then varietal Verdejo and varietal Sauv b allowed (85%)

Question 17

What % is required for varietally labeled wine in Rueda?

Answer 17

85% - in line with EU

Question 18

What are Espumoso?

Answer 18

Sparkling wines produced in rosado and white styles in Rueda

Question 19

Grape requirement for Brut Espumoso in Rueda?

Answer 19

Minimum 85% Verdejo

Question 20

What is tinto de toro?

Answer 20

local strain of Tempranillo in Toro DO

Question 21

What is climate like in Toro DO?

Answer 21

Hot, dry, continental summers - easy ripens tinto de toro

Question 22

how are rosados made in Toro DO?

Answer 22

saignee blend of tinto de toro and garnacha

Question 23

What is Vega Sicilia’s project in Toro DO?

Answer 23

Bodegas Pintia

Question 24

What is Dorado?

Answer 24

• Dry fortified oxidized wine in Rueda

- not popular anymore

Question 25

What well known producer has staked claim in Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO?

Answer 25

Alejándro Fernández of Pesquera - founded Dehesa la Granja

Question 26

What DO of Castilla y León borders Portugal?

Answer 26

• Arribes
• Portuguese grapes join red blends with tempranillo (Rufete, Juan García)
• whites - malvasia, verdejo, albilla

Question 27

Where is Cigales DO in relation to Duero? What is this region most noted for?

Answer 27

-Not right on border - North of Valladolid (NW of RdD)

• Noted for rosado and nuevo rosado production
• also make sweet and espumoso wines

Question 28

When was Arlanza DO achieved? Grapes?

Answer 28

• 2007 - one of Spains newest
• white - albilla, viura
• rose/red - tinto del país, garnacha, merlot, BDX grapes