Meseta: Castilla-La Mancha Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Meseta?

A

This is a massive plateau in central Spain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What did the Romans transport on the Via Augusta?

A
  • vegetables
  • fruits
  • grains
  • fodder grasses
  • wine
  • olive oil
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the capital of Castilla-La Mancha?

A

Toledo

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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%.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

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

A
  • Tajo
  • Guadiana
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

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

A

Airen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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%])

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

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

A
  • drought-resistant
  • thrives in the severe conditions of the Meseta
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

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

A

Airen

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
**Airen** is gradually losing ground to which *red* grape variety in **Castilla-La Mancha**?
**Tempranillo** This is the region's more admired *red* variety.
26
Which *red* grape varieties are planted in **Castilla-La Mancha**?
* **Tempranillo**/**Cencibel** * **Garnacha Tinta** * **Garnacha Tintorera** (Alicante Bouschet) * **Monastrell** * **Bobal** * **Cabernet Sauvignon** * **Syrah**
27
Which is the most widely planted *red* variety in **Castilla-La Mancha**?
**Tempranillo**/**Cencibel**
28
Which *red* variety is a local favorite in **Castilla-La Mancha** and whose demand for it is increasing.
**Garnacha Tintorera**
29
Which autonomous region has the largest concentration of vineyards of any other Spanish region/country in the world?
**Castilla-La Mancha** 49.5% of all vineyard land in Spain (1,169,626ac/473,331ha) as of 2017.
30
Which vinetraining method is used in **Castilla-La Mancha**?
* ***En vaso*** in ***marco real***: predominant method * ***espaldera*** (w/ trellis support): replanting is being done for a more machine-friendly method
31
How does **Castilla-La Mancha** benefit from a relatively dry growing season?
* minimizes disease pressure * organic methods may be used
32
What types of wine are produced from **Airen**?
* bulk wine * base wine for brandy: traditional * oxidative, high-alcohol vino blanco: traditional * varietal: many wineries now experimenting
33
What are the characteristics of a vino blanco produced from **Airen**?
Simple, fresh, dry, clean white.
34
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?
* **Tempranillo** (**Cencibel**) * **Bobal** * **Monastrell** * **Garnacha Tintorera** (popularity slowly growing)
35
Which **2** international varieties have found favor in **Castilla-La Mancha**?
* **Cabernet Sauvignon** * **Syrah**
36
Name the **DOP**s of **Castilla-La Mancha**.
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
Which is the largest wine-growing **DOP** in **Castilla-La Mancha**?
**DO La Mancha** This is also the largest **DOP** in the world.
38
Where is **DO La Mancha** located?
This wine region is spread across **4** of the **5** provinces of **Castilla-La Mancha**.
39
Which is the most widely planted variety in **DO La Mancha**?
**Airen** (88%)
40
Which is the most widely planted ***red*** variety in **DO La Mancha**?
**Tempranillo**/**Cencibel** (65%)
41
What are the characteristics of *red* wines produced in **DO La Mancha**?
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
What is the climate in **DO La Mancha**?
**Continental** * 12-14in/300-350mm average annual rainfall
43
What soil types are found in **DO La Mancha**?
* *limestone* * *chalk* * *sandy-clay* topsoil
44
What styles of wine are produced in **DO La Mancha**?
* ***Tinto*** (75%) * ***Blanco*** (19%) * ***Rosado*** (5%) * ***Espumoso*** (1%) * Other (<1%)
45
Name the *white* varieties authorized in **DO La Mancha**.
* **Airen** * Chardonnay * Gewurztraminer * Macabeo/Viura * Moscatel de Grano Menudo * Parellada * Pedro Ximenez * Riesling * Sauvignon Blanc * Torrentes * Verdejo * Viognier
46
Name the *red* varieties authorized in **DO La Mancha**.
* **Cencibel**/**Tempranillo** * Bobal * Cabernet Sauvignon * Garnacha Tintera * Graciano * Malbec * Mencia * Merlot * Monastrell * Moravia Dulce/Crujidera * Petit Verdot * Pinot Noir * Syrah
47
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?
**DO Manchuela** They did not receive full **DOP** recognition until 2000, but had been regulated as one ever since the split.
48
Where is **DO Manchuela** located?
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
What is the climate in **DO Manchuela**?
**Continental** w/ **Mediterranean** influences * influenced by ***Levante*** winds * 12-14in/300-350mm annual rainfall
50
What soil types are found in **DO Manchuela**?
*Limestone* w/ *clay* topsoil
51
What styles of wine are produced in **DO Manchuela**?
* ***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
Which winemaking method is used in both **DO Manchuela** & **DO Utiel-Requena** to produce wines with deep color & high tannin?
***doble pasta*** for *vinos tintos*
53
Name the *white* varieties authorized in **DO Manchuela**.
* Albillo Real * Chardonnay * Macabeo/Viura * Sauvignon Blanc * Verdejo * Pardillo * Viognier * Moscatel de grano Menudo
54
Name the *red* varieties authorized in **DO Manchuela**.
* **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
How do the **Bobal** wines crafted in **DO Manchuela** compare to those in DO **Utiel-Requena**?
Higher alcohol due to the warmer climate
56
Where is **DO Valdepenas** located?
This wine region is in southern **Castilla-La Mancha** and is surrounded on three sides by **DO La Manch**a. The ***Jabalon River*** weaves its way through the vineyards. The ***Sierra Morena*** is situated to the south.
57
What is the climate in **DO Valdepenas**?
**Continental** * *Sierra Morena* blocks any moderating influence from the Mediterranean to the south * 8-16in/200-400mm annual rainfall
58
What unique style of wine is **DO Valdepenas** traditionally known for?
**Aloque** (Clarete)
59
How is **Aloque** made?
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
Which varieties are used to produce **Aloque** wines in **DO Valdepenas**?
The **DO**'s **2** most significant varieties are used to produce these light *tinto*/*rosado* wines: * **Cencibel** * **Airen**
61
What styles of wines are produced in **DO Valdepenas**?
* ***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
What are the characteristics of wines produced from **Cencibel** in **DO Valdepenas**?
These wines are similar to those of **DO La Mancha**. Notes of dried fruit dominate from the use of neutral barrels for maturation.
63
What aging designations are used in **DO Valdepenas**?
* **Crianza** * **Reserva** * **Gran Reserva**
64
Which **2** **Vino de Pagos** in Castilla-La Mancha were the first in Spain to be awarded this status?
* **VP Dominio de Valdepusa** * **VP Finca Elez**
65
Where is **VP Dominio de Valdepusa** located?
This **VP** in in the *Montes de Toledo* (1,608ft/490m elevation) in northwestern **Castilla-La Mancha**.
66
What is the climate in **VP Dominio de Valdepusa**?
**Continental** * 18in/450mm average rainfall
67
What soil types are found in **VP Dominio de Valdepusa**?
* *clay* topsoil * *limestone* subsoil
68
What was the first variety to be planted in **VP Dominio de Valdepusa**?
**Cabernet Sauvignon** (1974) Followed by **Syrah**, **Petit Verdot**, & **Graciano**
69
Which popular *red* variety does **VP Dominio de Valdepusa** not work with?
**Tempranillo**
70
What wine growing methods has **VP Dominio de Valdepusa** introduced proving this estate to be an innovator?
* 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
What style of wine is produced in **VP Dominio de Valdepusa**?
***Tinto*** (100%) * *Varietal*: **Petit Verdot**, **Cabernet Sauvignon**, **Syrah**, **Graciano** * 3 blends
72
Name the authorized varieties in **VP Dominio de Valdepusa**.
* **Syrah** * **Cabernet Sauvignon** * **Petit Verdot** * **Graciano** * **Merlot**: only used in blends
73
Where is **VP Finca Elez** located?
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
What is the climate in **VP Finca Elez**?
**Continental** * 17in/440mm annual rainfall
75
What soil types are found in **VP Finca Elez**?
* *sandy-clay* * *limestone*
76
What styles of wine are produced in **VP Finca Elez**?
* **Tinto** (95%): *varietal* **Syrah**, *red* blends * **Blanco** (5%): **3** *varietal* **Chardonnay**s
77
Name the varieties authorized in **VP Finca Elez**.
White: * **Chardonnay** Red: * **Cabernet Sauvignon** * **Merlot** * **Tempranillo** * **Syrah**
78
Which of their wines is **VP Finca Elez** celebrated for?
*Varietal* **Chardonnay**
79
The grape varieties grown in **VP Finca Elez** were imported from which regions?
* Bordeaux * Rhone * Burgundy