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Spanish Wine Scholar > Meseta: Castilla-La Mancha > Flashcards

Meseta: Castilla-La Mancha Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the Meseta?

A

This is a massive plateau in central Spain.

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2
Q

What areas does the Meseta cover?

A

This massive plateau is located in central Spain and is bisected by the Sistema Central.
It encompasses parts of Castilla y Leon, La Rioja, & Aragon in the north and includes Castilla-La Mancha, the Comunidad de Madrid, & Extramadura to the south.
The northern section is smaller than the southern division and higher in elevation.
It accounts for more than 25% of the total area of mainland Spain.

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3
Q

Which is the world’s largest delineated DOP wine region?

A

DO La Mancha

Most of Spain’s bulk wine hails from this wine region.

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4
Q

Name the breeds of sheep important to Castilla-La Mancha.

A
  • Manchega sheep: produces Manchega cheese
  • Merino Sheep: prized for their wool by the Moors, produces cheeses from Extremadura-La Serena & Torta del Casar
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5
Q

What route did the Via Augusta take through the Meseta?

A

This roadway cut through the heart of the Meseta as it left Caesaraugusta (Zaragoza in Aragon) passed Toletum (Toledo in Castilla-La Mancha) & Emerita Augusta (Merida in Extremadura) en route to the port town of Gades (Cadiz in Andalucia).

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6
Q

What did the Romans transport on the Via Augusta?

A
  • vegetables
  • fruits
  • grains
  • fodder grasses
  • wine
  • olive oil
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7
Q

What is the origin of the Castilla-La Mancha name?

A

“Mancha” dates back to the 8th century when the Moors tookover southern & central Spain.
They called the area “Manxa” or “Al-Mansha” meaning “land without water.”
“Castilla” means “land of castles.” Remnants of nearly 200 castles dot the landscape.

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8
Q

What is the capital of Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Toledo

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9
Q

Where is Castilla-La Mancha located?

A

This autonomous region comprises most of the southern Meseta and represents 16% of the mainland.
It is landlocked by 7 other communities:
* Castilla y Leon: to the north
* Madrid: to the north
* Aragon: to the east
* Valencia: to the east
* Murcia: to the south
* Andalucia: to the south
* Extremadura: to the west

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10
Q

Name the 5 provinces of Castilla-La Mancha.

A
  1. Albacete
  2. Ciudad Real
  3. Cuenca
  4. Guadalajara
  5. Toledo

Each is named after their respective capital cities.

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11
Q

What is the climate in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Continental
* large temperature swings
* scorching hot summers
* freezing winters
* temperature differentials are more extreme in the western/central parts of region
* eastern parts moderated by Mediterranean influences & the Levante blowing in from the east
* quite arid
* 8-20in/200-500m average rainfall
* low rainfall; mostly in winter & spring

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12
Q

What is the Levante (Levanter)?

A

Also known as the Solano, this is an easterly/southeasterly wind which rises in the central Mediterranean near the Balearic Islands and blows westward towards the Strait of Gibraltar at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.

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13
Q

How does the Levante influence the climate in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

As this wind blows westward over land, it increases in intensity and can become both hot & dry.
Humidity levels drop from ~70% to ~30% when it blows.

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14
Q

When is the Levante most active?

A

These winds are most prevalent from May to October. However, they can blow any time during the year.

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15
Q

The Levante wind would be detrimental to vines planted in its path if it were not for what?

A

The Poniente: an opposing west wind which can raise humidity levels to 95%.

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16
Q

Name the mountains of Castilla-La Mancha.

A
  • Sistema Central: northern border
  • Sistema Iberico: north-eastern border
  • Sierra Morena: southern border
  • Sistema Betico: south-eastern border
  • Montes de Toledo: bisects western part of this region
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17
Q

Name the rivers of Castilla-La Mancha.

A
  • Tajo River: flows westward, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean
  • Guadiana River: flows westward, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean
  • Jucar River: moves eastward, draining into the Mediterranean Sea
  • Segura River
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18
Q

Which are the largest rivers basins in Castilla-La Mancha?

A
  • Tajo
  • Guadiana
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19
Q

What soil types are found in Castilla-La Mancha?

A
  • limestone: most quality wine regions, especially those in central & eastern expanses
  • clay and/or sandy-clay: pockets throughout the region; predominant in the western & northwestern portions
  • clay, alluvium, & granite: in the northeast
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20
Q

What are the characteristics of the soils in Castilla-La Mancha?

A
  • limestone hardpan: beneath topsoil, needs to be broken up in order to allow vine roots to penetrate deeper into the ground
  • limestone: well-drained
  • clays & loams: more water-retentive (a benefit for this arid part of Spain)
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21
Q

What is the most widely planted variety in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Airen

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22
Q

Where is Airen indigenous to?

A

Castilla-La Mancha

Note: there is more land planted to this grape than any other in Spain (563,000ac/217,000ha [22.3%])

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23
Q

What are the characteristics of the Airen grape in the vineyard?

A
  • drought-resistant
  • thrives in the severe conditions of the Meseta
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24
Q

Which is the world’s most-planted white wine grape?

A

Airen

It is the 4th most-planted wine grape worldwide.

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25
Q

Airen is gradually losing ground to which red grape variety in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Tempranillo

This is the region’s more admired red variety.

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26
Q

Which red grape varieties are planted in Castilla-La Mancha?

A
  • Tempranillo/Cencibel
  • Garnacha Tinta
  • Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet)
  • Monastrell
  • Bobal
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Syrah
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27
Q

Which is the most widely planted red variety in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Tempranillo/Cencibel

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28
Q

Which red variety is a local favorite in Castilla-La Mancha and whose demand for it is increasing.

A

Garnacha Tintorera

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29
Q

Which autonomous region has the largest concentration of vineyards of any other Spanish region/country in the world?

A

Castilla-La Mancha

49.5% of all vineyard land in Spain (1,169,626ac/473,331ha) as of 2017.

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30
Q

Which vinetraining method is used in Castilla-La Mancha?

A
  • En vaso in marco real: predominant method
  • espaldera (w/ trellis support): replanting is being done for a more machine-friendly method
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31
Q

How does Castilla-La Mancha benefit from a relatively dry growing season?

A
  • minimizes disease pressure
  • organic methods may be used
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32
Q

What types of wine are produced from Airen?

A
  • bulk wine
  • base wine for brandy: traditional
  • oxidative, high-alcohol vino blanco: traditional
  • varietal: many wineries now experimenting
33
Q

What are the characteristics of a vino blanco produced from Airen?

A

Simple, fresh, dry, clean white.

34
Q

In an effort to move away from “bulk wine” production, wineries in Castilla-La Mancha are instead bottling high-quality wines from which Spanish grapes?

A
  • Tempranillo (Cencibel)
  • Bobal
  • Monastrell
  • Garnacha Tintorera (popularity slowly growing)
35
Q

Which 2 international varieties have found favor in Castilla-La Mancha?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Syrah
36
Q

Name the DOPs of Castilla-La Mancha.

A
  1. DO Jumilla (1966): Murcia/Castilla-La Mancha
  2. DO La Mancha (1932)
  3. DO Manchuela (2000)
  4. DO Valdepenas (1932)
  5. VP Dominio de Valdepusa (2003)
  6. VP Finca Elez (2003)
  7. DO Almansa (1966)
  8. DO Mentrida (1976)
  9. DO Mondejar (1997)
  10. DO Ribera del Jucar (2003)
  11. DO Ucles (2005)
  12. VP Campo de la Guardia (2009)
  13. VP Casa del Blanco (2010)
  14. VP Dehesa del Carrizal (2006)
  15. VP El Vicario (2019)
  16. VP Guijoso (2005)
  17. VP La Jaraba (2019)
  18. VP Los Cerrillos (2019)
  19. VP Pago Calzadilla (2011)
  20. VP Pago Florentino (2009)
  21. VP Vallegarcia (2019)

NTK in BOLD

37
Q

Which is the largest wine-growing DOP in Castilla-La Mancha?

A

DO La Mancha

This is also the largest DOP in the world.

38
Q

Where is DO La Mancha located?

A

This wine region is spread across 4 of the 5 provinces of Castilla-La Mancha.

39
Q

Which is the most widely planted variety in DO La Mancha?

A

Airen (88%)

40
Q

Which is the most widely planted red variety in DO La Mancha?

A

Tempranillo/Cencibel (65%)

41
Q

What are the characteristics of red wines produced in DO La Mancha?

A

There is a range of wine styles crafted from Cencibel/Tempranillo, however, the majority are:
* simple & fruit-forward w/ ripe black-fruit flavors
* palate is juicy
* soft tannins
* much lighter then those produced in Castilla y Leon & DOCa Rioja

42
Q

What is the climate in DO La Mancha?

A

Continental
* 12-14in/300-350mm average annual rainfall

43
Q

What soil types are found in DO La Mancha?

A
  • limestone
  • chalk
  • sandy-clay topsoil
44
Q

What styles of wine are produced in DO La Mancha?

A
  • Tinto (75%)
  • Blanco (19%)
  • Rosado (5%)
  • Espumoso (1%)
  • Other (<1%)
45
Q

Name the white varieties authorized in DO La Mancha.

A
  • Airen
  • Chardonnay
  • Gewurztraminer
  • Macabeo/Viura
  • Moscatel de Grano Menudo
  • Parellada
  • Pedro Ximenez
  • Riesling
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Torrentes
  • Verdejo
  • Viognier
46
Q

Name the red varieties authorized in DO La Mancha.

A
  • Cencibel/Tempranillo
  • Bobal
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Garnacha Tintera
  • Graciano
  • Malbec
  • Mencia
  • Merlot
  • Monastrell
  • Moravia Dulce/Crujidera
  • Petit Verdot
  • Pinot Noir
  • Syrah
47
Q

Which DOP split from DO La Mancha in 1982 in an effort to shed the bulkwine reputation and make a name for themselves as producers of high-quality wine?

A

DO Manchuela

They did not receive full DOP recognition until 2000, but had been regulated as one ever since the split.

48
Q

Where is DO Manchuela located?

A

This wine region is on the eastern border of Castilla-La Mancha and is framed by the rivers Jucar & Cabriel.
The terrain is predominantly flat & receives the beneficial, humid, & cooling winds from the Mediterranean.

49
Q

What is the climate in DO Manchuela?

A

Continental w/ Mediterranean influences
* influenced by Levante winds
* 12-14in/300-350mm annual rainfall

50
Q

What soil types are found in DO Manchuela?

A

Limestone w/ clay topsoil

51
Q

What styles of wine are produced in DO Manchuela?

A
  • Tinto (60%): varietal Bobal dominates production; varietal Cencibel gaining importance; other varieties predominantly used in blends
  • Rosado (30%): min. 85% authorized varieties
  • Blanco (10%): predominantly blends
  • Espumoso (<1%)
52
Q

Which winemaking method is used in both DO Manchuela & DO Utiel-Requena to produce wines with deep color & high tannin?

A

doble pasta for vinos tintos

53
Q

Name the white varieties authorized in DO Manchuela.

A
  • Albillo Real
  • Chardonnay
  • Macabeo/Viura
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Verdejo
  • Pardillo
  • Viognier
  • Moscatel de grano Menudo
54
Q

Name the red varieties authorized in DO Manchuela.

A
  • Bobal
  • Cenciel/Tempranillo: 10% of all red planted
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Garnacha Tinta
  • Merlot
  • Monastrell
  • Moravia Dulce
  • Syrah
  • Garnacha Tintorera
  • Malbec
  • Moravia Agria
  • Mazuela Graciano
  • Rojal Tinta
  • Frasco/Tinto Velasco
  • Petit Verdot
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Pinot Noir
55
Q

How do the Bobal wines crafted in DO Manchuela compare to those in DO Utiel-Requena?

A

Higher alcohol due to the warmer climate

56
Q

Where is DO Valdepenas located?

A

This wine region is in southern Castilla-La Mancha and is surrounded on three sides by DO La Mancha.
The Jabalon River weaves its way through the vineyards.
The Sierra Morena is situated to the south.

57
Q

What is the climate in DO Valdepenas?

A

Continental
* Sierra Morena blocks any moderating influence from the Mediterranean to the south
* 8-16in/200-400mm annual rainfall

58
Q

What unique style of wine is DO Valdepenas traditionally known for?

A

Aloque (Clarete)

59
Q

How is Aloque made?

A

Traditionally, red & white wines were blended together and aged (stored) in tinajas (large earthenware jars).
Today, this semi-red wine is produced by co-fermenting red & white musts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.

60
Q

Which varieties are used to produce Aloque wines in DO Valdepenas?

A

The DO’s 2 most significant varieties are used to produce these light tinto/rosado wines:
* Cencibel
* Airen

61
Q

What styles of wines are produced in DO Valdepenas?

A
  • Tinto (83%): min. 85% of authorized red varieties
  • Blanco (14%)
  • Rosado (3%): min: 25% of authorized red varieties
  • Espumoso (<1%)

Authorized styles range from unoaked to oaked, as well as carbonic maceration.

62
Q

What are the characteristics of wines produced from Cencibel in DO Valdepenas?

A

These wines are similar to those of DO La Mancha.
Notes of dried fruit dominate from the use of neutral barrels for maturation.

63
Q

What aging designations are used in DO Valdepenas?

A
  • Crianza
  • Reserva
  • Gran Reserva
64
Q

Which 2 Vino de Pagos in Castilla-La Mancha were the first in Spain to be awarded this status?

A
  • VP Dominio de Valdepusa
  • VP Finca Elez
65
Q

Where is VP Dominio de Valdepusa located?

A

This VP in in the Montes de Toledo (1,608ft/490m elevation) in northwestern Castilla-La Mancha.

66
Q

What is the climate in VP Dominio de Valdepusa?

A

Continental
* 18in/450mm average rainfall

67
Q

What soil types are found in VP Dominio de Valdepusa?

A
  • clay topsoil
  • limestone subsoil
68
Q

What was the first variety to be planted in VP Dominio de Valdepusa?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon (1974)

Followed by Syrah, Petit Verdot, & Graciano

69
Q

Which popular red variety does VP Dominio de Valdepusa not work with?

A

Tempranillo

70
Q

What wine growing methods has VP Dominio de Valdepusa introduced proving this estate to be an innovator?

A
  • trialed high-density plantings
  • different canopy management
  • drip irrigation systems
  • planted some vines in tubes to bypass the first 10in/25cm of clay topsoil & promote deep-rooting
71
Q

What style of wine is produced in VP Dominio de Valdepusa?

A

Tinto (100%)

  • Varietal: Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Graciano
  • 3 blends
72
Q

Name the authorized varieties in VP Dominio de Valdepusa.

A
  • Syrah
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Petit Verdot
  • Graciano
  • Merlot: only used in blends
73
Q

Where is VP Finca Elez located?

A

This VP is near the southeastern border of DO La Mancha in the heart of the Sierra de Alcaraz (3,543ft/1,080m elevation).

74
Q

What is the climate in VP Finca Elez?

A

Continental
* 17in/440mm annual rainfall

75
Q

What soil types are found in VP Finca Elez?

A
  • sandy-clay
  • limestone
76
Q

What styles of wine are produced in VP Finca Elez?

A
  • Tinto (95%): varietal Syrah, red blends
  • Blanco (5%): 3 varietal Chardonnays
77
Q

Name the varieties authorized in VP Finca Elez.

A

White:
* Chardonnay

Red:
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot
* Tempranillo
* Syrah

78
Q

Which of their wines is VP Finca Elez celebrated for?

A

Varietal Chardonnay

79
Q

The grape varieties grown in VP Finca Elez were imported from which regions?

A
  • Bordeaux
  • Rhone
  • Burgundy

Spanish Wine Scholar (31 decks)

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