Le Meseta Flashcards
How history helped to shape the Meseta’s modern wine industry
Via Augusta cut through heart of La Meseta. Toledo of course capital. Civil War battle ground - people emmigrated. Many returned home, included Carlos Falcó, the Marques de Griñon. Largest concentration of vineyards in the world.
Main topographical features (mountain ranges, rivers, etc.) of Castilla La Mancha
North bordered by Sistema Central (sierra de gredos y sierra de guadarama) and Sistema Iberico, south by Sierra Morena and Sistema Betico. To the west Montes de Toledo. Four of Spain’s main rivers pass through: Tajo, Guadiana - west toward atlantic. Jucar y Segura east to Med. Tajo and Guadiano region’s largest river basin.
The factors influencing the La Mancha’s climate
Bisected by Sistema Central? Some med influence in the east, also Levante to temper extremes. Most rain falls in winter in spring but obvs very dry.
Dominant soil types in Castilla-La Mancha
Mostly limestone. Clay, alluvium and granite up northeast
More clay in guadiana river basin
The “need to know” (NTK) grape varieties and their regional synonyms in La Mancha
Airen most widely planted grape in La Mancha. (Tempranillo top red grape.) Indigenous and drought resistant. Some say best in DO La Mancha and DO Valdepeñas. More land planted to Airen than any other in Spain (most planted white in the world, 4th most grape in the world). Tempranillo top red, followed by Garnacha Tintorera. (Also: Tempranillo, garnacha tintorera, garnacha tinta, monastrell, bobal, cab, syrah)
The role, if any, of international grape varieties in La Mancha
Cab and Syrah.
The main vine training systems in Castilla-La Mancha
Mostly en vaso in marco real. But investment from Spain and EU allowing for more machine-friendly espadlera.
Traditional and modern winemaking practices in La Mancha
Traditionally bulk wine, and Airen as base wine for Brandy or for oxidative high-alc vino blanco. But wineries moving toward single varietals - Airen, Temp (Cencibel), Bobal, Monastrell, Garnacha Tintorera.
Levante wind
Also known as the solano or levanter. Easterly/southerly wind which rises in central med and blows westward to Straight of Gibraltar. Can become both hot and dry over land. Anytime of year but most prevalent in May and Oct. Would be detrimental if not for the Poniente west wind which raises humidity.
What is sobremadre?
Unique wine production method in Madrid - once fermentation is complete a min of 25% of the soids remain with the unfiltered wine or “sobremadre” for 90-180 days. Wines bottled directly from fermentation vessel with no filtration. Remaining carbon dioxide leaves wine with slight effervescence. Can be used for all grapes, blancos y tintos.
About Arganda
largest producer in Madrid. southeast corner of Madrid. Soils alluviums, limestone and loamy clay. Tinto fino (tempranillo) and Malvar primary (makes sense - tempranillo is predom in la mancha in this area). Receives least amount of rain.
About Navalcarnero
flat plain bisected by Guadarama River. West of Madrid. Soils alluvium and loamy sand. Focus on Garnacha Tinta and Malvar. garnacha dom (malvar too) - mentrida just south also garnacha.
About Navalcarnero
flat plain bisected by Guadarama River. West of Madrid. Soils alluvium and loamy sand. Focus on Garnacha Tinta and Malvar.
About San Martin de Valdeiglesias
Soutwest corner. Influenced by rugged landscape of Sierra de Gredos. Allubium and loamy clay. Rainiest subzone. Primary: Garnacha tinta (dominant) and Albillo (real).
About El Molar
Granite and decomposed slate. Garnacha tinta and Malvar grapes - garnacha dom. Newest subzone.
What is the azores high?
Also know as Azores anticyclone, is a driving force in the weather patterns. It hovers just south of the Azores in winter and shifts northward in summer, impacting peninsula - bringing blue skies, dry air and hot temps.
About DO Jumilla in La Mancha
Same as in Murcia
To know about DO La Mancha
Mostly red wines, but Airen is top grape. Largest wine-growing region in Spain and the world (about 50% of all vineyard land). 71% dedicated to white grapes (mostly Airen), otherwise tempranillo. Mostly bulk wine since the 70s.
The climate, topography, and soils of the DO La Mancha
Limestone and chalk, sandy-clay topsoil.
The grape varieties and the principal wine styles of DO La Mancha
Airen, Cencibel/Tempranillo. Bulk wines. Tempranillos much lighter than those from up north.