Duero River Valley Flashcards
How history helped shape the Duero’s modern wine industry
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.
Main topographical features (mountain ranges, rivers, etc.) of Duero
Largest automonous region. Northern part of meseta. Two primary components: Duero River Basin, and the mt ranges surrounding. mountains protect from maritime influence.
The main factors influencing the Duero’s climate
Continental, surrounded by mt ranges. Late frosts can be a hazard.
The dominant soil type(s) in Castilla y León
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.
The role of Tempranillo in the region and its various local synonyms
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
The most widely-planted grape varieties in Duero
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.
The main vine training systems in Castilla y León
En vaso
Ribera del Duero Crianza aging reqs
12 mos in barrel, 24 months before release
Ribera del Duero Reserva aging reqs
12 mos in barrel, 36 mos before release
Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva aging reqs
24 mos in barrel, 60 mos before release
VT Castilla y Leon
Covers entire region of Castilla y Leon. Winemakers have more freedom to experiement with a bunch of varieties and different styles.
Dominant wine styles in Bierzo
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.
The clarete method of vino rosado production
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.
The climate, topography, and soils in Bierzo
Sil River. Northernmost CyL DO. granite, limestone, quartzite, slate. Continental with significant maritime influence. low elevation protects against frost (lowest vineyards in CyL).
The grape varieties and the principal wine styles of Bierzo
Godello , Mencia. 83% red. Mencia terraced on Sil River.
History of Cigales
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.
Dominant wine styles in Cigales
Rosado made using the clarete method and from Tinta del Pais/Tempranillo.
The climate, topography, and soils of Cigales
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.
The grape varieties and the principal wine styles of Cigales
Tinta del Pais/tempranillo is primary grape grown. One of largest producers of rosado - in clarete method. White is verdejo.
History of Ribera del Duero
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
saignee method
red grapes are crushed and placed in stainless tank - the skins and juice macerate until the desired color is achieved - then fermented.
The climate, topography, and soils in Ribera del Duero
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.
Grape varieties and wine styles of Ribera del Duero
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.
About tempranillo
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.
Rueda history, and about Rueda
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.
vine training systems in Rueda
traditionally en vaso, but new plantings often espaldera.
The climate, topography, and soils of Rueda
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.
About Verdejo
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
The climate, topography, and soils of Toro
Low rainfall, spring frosts, slightly higher than Rueda.
Soil is sand and clay
High elevation
Spring frosts
Toro signature grape
Tinto de Toro. fruit-foward, fresh, bold, tannic with soft acidity.
