Douro River Valley

Question 1

What are the 9 provinces of Castilla y Leon?

Answer 1

Avila, Burgos, Leon, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid and Zamora

Question 2

What are the 2 primary topographic components in Castilla y Leon?

Answer 2

The Duero River Basin (largest on the Iberian peninsula) and the mountains surrounding it (Montes de Leon to the NW and Cordillera Cantabrica, separating C&L from Asturias and Cantabria).

The majority of wine growing regions are situated on or near the river or in one of its tributaries

Question 3

Soil Types

Answer 3

Very diverse (32 types in RdD).

River valleys: clay, alluvium and some limestone
The plains: limestone, clay and sand

Question 4

DO Bierzo

Answer 4

Borders Galicia, has more commonalities than with C&L. Average growing temperatures are more mild, rain and himidity are higher and eleveation is lower

75% of vineyards are planted to Mencía. Tintos must contain at least 70% Mencia, rosado, 50%

Question 5

Soils of DO Bierzo

Answer 5

Granitic and slate

Question 6

DO Bierzo Mencía profile

Answer 6

bright acid, moderate tannin and pigment. Notes of raspberry, red plum, rosemary and thyme.

Question 7

DO Cigales

Answer 7

One of Spains largest producers of rosado, most of which is produced as clarete.

Tinta del Pais (tempranillo) is the primary varietal, it accounts for 70% plantings

Question 8

Majuelos

Answer 8

family owned and family farmed plots in villages in DO Cigales - Ciagles is one of the most traditional in C&L

Question 9

DO Ribera del Duero

Answer 9

DO awarded in 1982.

Question 10

Founders of Vega Sicilia

Answer 10

Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves. Brought cuttings of Cab Sav, Merlot and Malbec to RdD. Married them with local varietals (tempranillo)

Question 11

Characteristics of Ribera del Duero

Answer 11

Extreme continental. One of the highest altitudes of all wine regions in Europe (up to ~950m). Inlands location and proximity to Sierra de la Demanda & Sierra de Guadarrama creates extreme conditions. Wide seasonal and diurnal swings

Question 12

Alejandro Fernandez

Answer 12

2nd success, after Vega Sicilia. He used grapes gorwn around the village of Pesquera de Duero and began creating varietal tempranillo (tinto fino). His work inspired the shift from bulk wine to quality wine in the region.

Question 13

What percentage of vineyards are planted to tempranillo in RdD?

Answer 13

95%. DO requres minimum 75% tempranillo but most producers choose to use 100%. Albillo Mayor and Garnacha may be added but in very small amounts. .

Question 14

Aging Requirements Ribera del Duero

Answer 14

Longer than the Spanish standard (same time in bottles, but they spend longer in oak)

Crianza: 12 months in barrel, 24 months before release
Reserva: 12 months in barrel, 36 months before release *SAME
Gran Reserva: 24 months in barrel, 60 months before release

Joven wines are medium/full bodies, ripe strawberry and black plum

Crianza and Reserva are more concentrated with fuller body, more savory and spicy vs fruit driven

Gran Reserva are full bodies with supple tannins and complex tertiary aromas and flavors

Question 15

DO Rueda

Answer 15

DO since 1980, oldest in C&L
99% white wine
Gravel and stone soils
Preferred grape is VERDEJO with some sauvignon blanc, palomino fino and Viura/Macabeo

Question 16

After phylloxera, what was Rueda replanted with?

Answer 16

Palomino fino, bulk wine was the focus of the region. Before that, the region was known for high quality rancio style wines

Question 17

Rueda wine profile

Answer 17

light and crisp with hints of lemon, lime and peach with distinctive touch of bay leaf

Question 18

Main grapes of Tierra de Leon

Answer 18

White: Verdejo, Albarin blanco, godello
Red: prieto picudo, mencia

Question 19

DO Toro

Answer 19

93% red wine. Tinta de toro (tempranillo) is king.

Sandy soils have some pre-phylloxera vines

Wines from Toro were part of Columbus’ voyages