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.
To know about DO Manchuela
Mostly red wines. Originally split from DO La Mancha to shed the bulk-wine rep and make name for themselves as high-quality producers.
The climate, topography, and soils of DO Manchuela
Limestone w/clay topsoil. Continental with med influences. Framed by two rivers: Jucar and Cabriel.
The grape varieties and the principal wine styles of DO Manchuela
Bobal. Some doble pasta. Given warmer climate, Bobal’s usually higher in alc than Utiel-Req. (close to Murcia and Valencia, so makes sense. Skins and pulp of Bobal is then added to fermenting bobal must. Makes tannic wine). 30% is vino rosado, has a lot to do with the doble pasta - so often made as rose, and then the pulp goes to red wine (rosado using bobal and some temp)
To know about DO Valdepeñas
Surrounded on three sides by DO La Mancha. Was able to produce wine during Arab rule
Dominant wine styles in each DO Valdepeñas
unoaked to oak-aged and carbonic mac. Often neutral barrels - so usually dried fruit (not oak) dominate.
The following regional special wine(s)/designation(s): Aloque
from DO Valdepeñas. Also known as clarete. A semi-red wine. Cofermentation of red and white musts in temp controlled stainless steel tanks (usually cencibel and Airen here). Traditionally red and white wines were blended and aged/stored in tinajas (blending of wines no longer allowed)
The climate, topography, and soils of DO Valdepeñas
Limestone, sandy-loam, clay. Jabalón River weaves through vineyards. Fully continental with Sierra Morena to south blocking any med influences.
The grape varieties and the principal wine styles of DO Valdepeñas
Airen, Cencibel/Tempranillo. A lot of varietal tempranillo.
DOs of La Mancha
La Mancha, Jumilla, Manchuela, Valdepeñas, VP Dominio de Valdepusa, VP Finca Élez
To know about VP Dominio de Valdepusa
one of first two VPs in Spain. Owned by Carlos Falcó, the Marques de Griñon. Cab first planted, then Syrah, Petit Verdot and Graciano. Long been an innovator/pioneer (canopy management, drip irrigation, high density). Work with international varieties (only spanish grape is Graciano). In northwest of La Mancha, in Montes de Toledo. Clay atop limestone.
To know about VP Finca Élez
One of Spain’s first two VPs. Southeastern border of DO La Mancha in heart of Sierra de Alcaraz. Owned by Viñedos y Bodegas Manuel Manzaneque. Intl varieties - cab, merlot, syrah, chard. only Spanish is tempranillo. Celebrated for its chard. Sandy-clay and limestone.
History and to know about Madrid
wine production flourished until phyllxoera and then recovery was slow. Vineyards replanted with Garnacha and Airen - for high yields and high alc. Coops sprung up, and so bulk wine. Rejuvenated after Franco. Tajo River is southern border
Soils of Madrid
Granitic soils in north. South, where most wine is, is granite to sedimentary alluvium limestone and loamy clay.
The “need to know” (NTK) grape varieties and their regional synonyms in Madrid
Tinto fino (tempranillo) and garnacha tinta. Whites are Malvar (lairen) and Albillo (real). Typically en vaso. Garnacha dominant in three of the four subzones.
The main vine training systems and wine styles in Madrid
en vaso. manual harvesting norm. All wine styles are produced and until recently werre meant for early consumption.
The “need to know” (NTK) grape varieties and their regional synonyms in DO Vinos de Madrid
Malvar (Lairen), Albillo Real, Tinto Fino (Tempranillo/Cencibel), Garnacha Tinta.
The sub-zones of DO Vinos de Madrid
comprises three non-contiguous growing ares. Arganda, Navalcarnero, San Martin de Valdeiglesias, El Molar.
History and to know about Extremadura
In the middle of battles and wars. Fray Juan Luis de Siruela - book on winery at the monastery. Lots of people left after fall of Kingdom of Granada. Lots of vineyards removed during first half of 20th century (Franco), then replaced with vines for bulk wine. Used to be a lot of bulk wine here. It is still economically depressed. Caceres and Badajoz. 5th largest in land, low in pop.
Main topographical features (mountain ranges, rivers, etc.) of Extremadura
Framed by two of Spain’s most significant mt ranges: Sistema Central creates border with Castilla y Leon, Sierra Morena separates from Andalucia to south. then Sierras Centrales Extremeñas run parallel in east. Two primary river basins: Tajo and Guadiana (Guadiana is main river). Small parts of Guadalquivir and Duero lie to south and north.
Climate of Extremadura
Southwest Ex slightly more temperate due to maritime influences. Azores high impacts.
Dominant soil types of Extremadura
east near montes de toledo: granite, slate and sand. Near Sierra Morena in south: clay w/ high limestone content. Southcentral near Guadiana: sand and clay. West: limestone and sand.
The “need to know” (NTK) grape varieties and their regional synonyms - of Extremadura
vino tinto dominates. Tempranillo is regional favorite but Garnacha T and Cab are grown a lot too. White grapes Cayetana Blanca/Pardina and Alarije…but most white is distilled and used for spirits.
The main vine training systems in Extremadura
en vaso
Traditional and modern winemaking practices of Extremadura
Second largest concentration of vineyarsd in Spain. Still does a lot of bulk wine. Recent DO of Ribera del Guadiana has encouraged better practives. Region crafts blancos, rosados and tintos. Four wineriers are in DO Cava.
Need to know DO of Extremadura, and about it
DO Ribera de Guadiana. Occupies almost half of Extremadura
Soils, climate and terrain of DO Ribera de Guadiana
Clay and limestone. Rio Guadiana winds through. Rolling hills to mountainous terrain. River basin. Temps not as extreme. Six subzones
The grape varieties and the principal wine styles of DO Ribera de Guadiana
Mostly red (a lot of varietal temp, garnacha and blends). Whites: cayetana blanca/Pardina. Reds: Tempranillo/Cencibel/tinto fino.
What does superautomous region mean?
An appellation that covers more than one autonomous region: cava, rioja, jumilla,
Malvar/Lairen
native to Andalucia, drought resistant
Albillo Real
likely from Valladolid (can be known as Albillo de Madrid)
Cayetana blanca/pardina
Cayetana and pardina same genetically. Indigenous to southwestern part of peninsula, drought resistant and late ripening.
Alarije
Native to region, thick skinned, late ripening, very productive
