Duero River Valley

Question 1

How history helped shape the Duero’s modern wine industry

Answer 1

As Christianization expanded in middle ages, so did viticulture. Monastic orders planted new vineyards, which grew given Camino route. During phylloxera, provided wine to French. Spain viticulture renaissance began with Vega Sicilia, 1864. Winemaker Eloy Lecando y Chaves was Bordeaux trained - brought techniques and grapes back.

Question 2

Main topographical features (mountain ranges, rivers, etc.) of Duero

Answer 2

Largest automonous region. Northern part of meseta. Two primary components: Duero River Basin, and the mt ranges surrounding. mountains protect from maritime influence.

Question 3

The main factors influencing the Duero’s climate

Answer 3

Continental, surrounded by mt ranges. Late frosts can be a hazard.

Question 4

The dominant soil type(s) in Castilla y León

Answer 4

River valleys: clay, alluvium, or sandy-stony soils with some limestone. Plains are: brown limestone with clay loam and sand. Generally - sandy, clay and alluvial in river basin. Pre-phylloxera vines in sand, where disease can’t flourish.

Question 5

The role of Tempranillo in the region and its various local synonyms

Answer 5

Tempranillo king (auth in 12 of 13 DOs). Thick skinned, early ripening well suited for extreme temps. Synonyms: Tinto fino, tinta del pais, tinta de toro

Question 6

The most widely-planted grape varieties in Duero

Answer 6

Tinto: Tempranillo, Mencia, Prieto Picudo. Whites take lead in Rueda: Verdejo (best in high elevation meseta) - often blended with sauv blanc and creates fresh, lively, fruit-forward wines. Intl varieties play minor role.

Question 7

The main vine training systems in Castilla y León

Answer 7

En vaso

Question 8

Ribera del Duero Crianza aging reqs

Answer 8

12 mos in barrel, 24 months before release

Question 9

Ribera del Duero Reserva aging reqs

Answer 9

12 mos in barrel, 36 mos before release

Question 10

Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva aging reqs

Answer 10

24 mos in barrel, 60 mos before release

Question 11

VT Castilla y Leon

Answer 11

Covers entire region of Castilla y Leon. Winemakers have more freedom to experiement with a bunch of varieties and different styles.

Question 12

Dominant wine styles in Bierzo

Answer 12

Mencia producing lively, light to medium bodied red wines. Vino tinto must contain 75% of Mencia, Rosado 50%. Wines young and fresh to oaked and aged. Best examples have bright acidity, moderate tannin, moderate pigmentation with notes of raspberries, red plums, rosemary and thyme. Mostly en vaso. Thin skinned
Prone to wind damage, rot, botrytis.
Doing more early harvest - so lighter, higher acid. More oak is happening. Palomino fino largest white grape.

Question 13

The clarete method of vino rosado production

Answer 13

involves crushing red and white grapes together and vinifying must as vino tino. Juice ferments on skins for short time (24-72 hrs). Made in some parts of northern spain, and normally labeled VT Castilla y Leon. producers dark, dry roses.

Question 14

The climate, topography, and soils in Bierzo

Answer 14

Sil River. Northernmost CyL DO. granite, limestone, quartzite, slate. Continental with significant maritime influence. low elevation protects against frost (lowest vineyards in CyL).

Question 15

The grape varieties and the principal wine styles of Bierzo

Answer 15

Godello , Mencia. 83% red. Mencia terraced on Sil River.

Question 16

History of Cigales

Answer 16

Region one of the most traditional. Wine producers still buy from majuelos, family-owned plots in the village. Stainless steel introduced in 1990s, when rosados became more fresh.

Question 17

Dominant wine styles in Cigales

Answer 17

Rosado made using the clarete method and from Tinta del Pais/Tempranillo.

Question 18

The climate, topography, and soils of Cigales

Answer 18

sand and limestone over clay and loam. Straddles Pisuerga River. Continental climate. Center of CyL. Dry, drought can be concern. On Pisuerga River, tributary of Duero.

Question 19

The grape varieties and the principal wine styles of Cigales

Answer 19

Tinta del Pais/tempranillo is primary grape grown. One of largest producers of rosado - in clarete method. White is verdejo.

Question 20

History of Ribera del Duero

Answer 20

Monks established monasteries here in Middle Ages. Cellars, that still are used, date back to this time. Quality codified into law in 15th century, then exported during height of Spanish Empire. Vega Sicilia original success, blending with Bordeaux varieties. Later winemaker Alejandro Fernandez began making single-varietal Tempranillo gaining fame. In 1980s a group banded together to promote quality. DO 1982

Question 21

saignee method

Answer 21

red grapes are crushed and placed in stainless tank - the skins and juice macerate until the desired color is achieved - then fermented.

Question 22

The climate, topography, and soils in Ribera del Duero

Answer 22

Primarily sandy limestone and clay. One of highest elevation wine regions in Europe. Extreme continental climate due to being sandwiched between mt ranges (Demanda and Guaderrama). Frosts regular. Some of highest vineyards in Spain.

Question 23

Grape varieties and wine styles of Ribera del Duero

Answer 23

Tinto fino/tinta del pais/tempranillo. No white wines produced under DO. Joven styles moderate in color, tannin, medium bodied and full of ripe strawberry and black plum. Crianza and Reserva more concentrated with fuller body, powerful tannins and more savory and spicy. Gran Reserva full bodied with polymerized tannins and complex layers of tertiary notes.

Question 24

About tempranillo

Answer 24

Early ripening, medium alcohol, low to med acid. Medium to high tannin. A medium medium medium wine. Red fruits, leather, spice. Ages well. Lots of savory character in aged examples.
Black fruit from younger riper wines. Generally more red fruit side.
Most important marker - medium, medium, medium.

Question 25

Rueda history, and about Rueda

Answer 25

DO in 1980. Used to produce rancio-style wines until phylloxera. In 1970s Francisco Hurtado de Amezaga y Dolagaray of Marques de Riscal decided to grow Verdjo here - a catalyst for change. 40% of country’s white wine from here. Only white dominant region in CyL . Palomino no longer authorized.

Question 26

vine training systems in Rueda

Answer 26

traditionally en vaso, but new plantings often espaldera.

Question 27

The climate, topography, and soils of Rueda

Answer 27

Northern part gets influence of river
Southern areas warm - don’t have moderating influences
Soils gravely and stony with some sandy limestone. Good drainage.
Very continental - not as extreme or high as Ribera del Duero
Late frosts common
One of highest elevation wine regions in Europe. Extreme continental climate due to being sandwiched between mt ranges (Demanda and Guaderrama). Frosts regular.

Question 28

About Verdejo

Answer 28

Thin skinned, low vigor wines, possibly introduced by Moors. Susceptible to powdery mildew, high acid, hints of grass, lemon, lime and peach
Similar to sauv blanc, also grown in region

Question 29

The climate, topography, and soils of Toro

Answer 29

Low rainfall, spring frosts, slightly higher than Rueda.
Soil is sand and clay
High elevation
Spring frosts

Question 30

Toro signature grape

Answer 30

Tinto de Toro. fruit-foward, fresh, bold, tannic with soft acidity.