Murcia Flashcards
Name the foods Murcia is known for.
- figs
- Marcona almonds
What tragic incident plagued Murcia on October 15, 1879?
La Riada de Santa Teresa (The Flood of Saint Teresa)
The skies opened up over southern Spain. This region & Alicante received particularly violent downpours and were inundated with 24in/60cm of rain in a single hour. The rivers overflowed, destroying bridges, roads, & dams. Irrigation systems & crops were decimated as were city squares, hospitals, schools & residential areas.
Almost 800 people died, more than 7,000 families were displaced and relegated to poverty. The city of Nonduermas was completely destroyed and more than 22,000 animals drowned. Recovery took years.
This day is also commemorates Saint Teresa of Avila’s death.
What is Pie Franco?
This term became associated with ungrafted grapevines in the 18th century as the wine world grappled with phylloxera.
This expression literally means “free-footed” or “free-standing”.
The word “franco” means “free” or “independent” in Italian and is associated w/ the Franks who were considered unrestricted by Roman law.
How is it that vines in parts of Murcia were spared by the blight of phylloxera?
Pie Franco vines planted in parts of this region are rooted in highly acidic lime subsoil.
This louse cannot survive in it.
Many of today’s Monastrell vines are descendants of these original non-grafted vines.
Where is Murcia located?
This region is situated in southeastern Spain.
It is bordered by Valencia to the east, Castilla-La Mancha to the northwest, and Andalucia to the southwest.
~106mi/170km of Mediterranean coastline forms its southern border.
What is the capital of Murcia?
Murcia
Spain’s 7th largest city.
What is the climate in Murcia?
Mediterranean/Continental
* coastal: Mediterranean; temperate average temperatures; less pronounced temperature fluctuations
* inland: more continental w/ considerable diurnal temperature shifts
* summer: droughts regularly occur
* autumn/spring: rainy seasons; often w/ torrential downpours & hailstorms
* 12-14in/300-350mm average annual rainfall
* rain falls unevenly throughout the year
Which mountain range is found in Murcia?
Cordillera Prebetica; this range bisects the region resulting in 30% of the region laying at elevations greater than 1,969ft/600m.
What is the highest peak in Murcia?
Pico del Obispo (6,608ft/2,014m) in the Macizo de Revolcadores sector w/in the Cordillera Prebetica.
Name the significant plateau in Murcia.
Altiplano de Jumilla-Yecla
This high plateau in the northern part of this region is sandwiched between the Meseta of central Spain and the Mediterranean Sea. Elevations reach 2,625ft/800m.
Some of the region’s best vineyards are located here.
Name the principal rivers of Murcia.
- Segura River
- Guadalentin River
Both flow through the valleys of the Sistema Betico on their way to the Mediterranean Sea.
What is the Mar Menor?
“Minor Sea” is Spain’s largest lagoon and is located in Murcia. It is in the southeast near Cartagena and is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a 13.7mi-/22km-long sandbar. The northern part is a natural park.
What soil types are found in Murcia?
- Predominantly limestone
- topsoils of clay & sand in some areas
- topsoils can be so hard it needs to be mechanically broken before planting in many parts of the region
Name the most widely planted variety in Murcia.
Monastrell
What are the characteristics of the Monastrell grape variety?
- thick-skinned
- late-ripening
- frost-resistant
- drought-resistant
Name the prominent grape varieties grown in Murcia.
A small amount of vino blanco is produced:
* Macabeo
* Airen
* Chardonnay
Used in small quantities to add complexity and/or tame Monastrell’s aggressive character:
* Cencibel/Tempranillo
* Garnacha Tinta
* Garnacha Tintorera (used in continental areas to add color, savory aromatics, & longeviy
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot
What vine training system is used in Murcia?
- en vaso: majority of Monastrell vineyards (many old vines); requires manual cultivation & hand-harvesting
- espaldera: other varieties including Tempranillo, Garnacha, & Cabernet Sauvignon so drip-irrigation can be installed & facilitate mechanization
What winemaking methods have been implemented in Murcia?
- temperature-controlled fermentation
- barrel aging
These processes manage to soften Monastrell’s forceful nature by moderating tannin.
Name the DOPs of Murcia.
- DO Bullas (1994)
- DO Jumilla (1966): Murcia/Castilla-La Mancha
- DO Yecla (1975)
Where is DO Bullas located?
This DOP is the southernmost & westernmost in Murcia.
It consists of 2 non-contiguous growing areas.
What is the climate in DO Bullas?
Mediterranean w/ continental influences
* 14in/365mm
What soil types are found in DO Bullas?
- limestone
- chalk
- alluvium
What is a drawback of the soils in high-elevation DO Bullas? What is the benefit?
Drawback: surface has to be ripped & broken by mechanical means prior to planting.
Benefit: soil provides excellent drainage (the area can receive heavy storms in September & October)
What styles of wine are produced in DO Bullas?
- Tinto (79%): min. 60% Monastrell
- Blanco (12%)
- Rosado (9%): min. 60% Monastrell
- Espumoso (<1%)
Name the white varieties permitted in DO Bullas.
Preferred:
* Macabeo
Authorized:
* Airen
* Chardonnay
* Malvasia
* Moscatel de Alejandria
* Moscatel de Grano Menudo
* Sauvignon Blanc
Name the red varieties permitted in DO Bullas.
Preferred:
* Monastrell (>80% of vineyards)
Authorized:
* Tempranillo
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Syrah
* Merlot
* Garnacha Tinto
* Garnacha Tintorera
* Petit Verdot
What are the characteristics of DO Bullas wines?
This high altitude DO crafts Monastrell wines with fresh fruit, more acidity & lower alcohol levels than those produced in neighboring Yecla or Jumilla.
Which is Murcia’s oldest wine region?
DO Jumilla
Where is DO Jumilla located?
This DOP straddles 2 autonomous communities.
40% of vineyard land is located in northern Murcia.
60% is in the Albacete province of Castilla-La Mancha in the south-east.
And, 70% of wine production is carried out in the town of Jumilla in Murcia.
What is the climate in DO Jumilla?
Continental w/ Mediterranean influences
* 10-12in/250-300mm
What soil types are found in DO Jumilla?
- Reddish-brown limestone
- sandy-clay
What styles of wine are produced in DO Jumilla?
- Tinto (92%): any authorized grapes permitted in any combination; (“Tinto Monastrell” must contain min. 85% of grape)
- Blanco (5%)
- Rosado (2%)
- Other (1%)
Name the white varieties permitted in DO Jumilla.
Authorized:
* Airen
* Macabeo
* Pedro Ximenez
* Malvasia
* Chardonnay
* Sauvignon Blanc
* Moscatel de Grano Menudo
* Verdejo
Name the red varieties permitted in DO Jumilla.
Preferred:
* Monastrell (>80% of vineyards)
Authorized:
* Garnacha Tintorera
* Cencibel/Tempranillo
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Garnacha
* Merlot
* Syrah
* Petit Verdot
What are the characteristics of wines in DO Jumilla produced from Monastrell?
Deep in color, savory, highly concentrated, & attain high levels of alcohol.
Which is the smallest DOP in Murcia?
DO Yecla
Where is DO Yecla located?
This DOP is located on the Altiplano in northern Murcia.
What is the climate in DO Yecla?
Continental w/ Mediterranean influences
* 10-12in/250-300mm
* most precipitation in spring/autumn
What soil types are found in DO Yecla?
Limestone
What styles of wine are produced in DO Yecla?
- Tinto (92%)
- Blanco (6%)
- Rosado (2%)
- Espumoso (<1%)
- Other (<1%)
Name the white varieties permitted in DO Yecla.
Authorized (5% of vineyard area):
* Macabeo
* Airen
* Merseguera
* Malvasia
* Chardonnay
* Moscatel de Grano Menudo
* Sauvignon Blanc
* Verdejo
Name the red varieties permitted in DO Yecla.
Preferred:
* Monastrell (85% of total vineyard area)
Authorized (10% of vineyard area):
* Tempranillo
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Syrah
* Merlot
* Garnacha Tinta
* Garnacha Tintorera
* Petit Verdot
How do the Monastrell wines from DO Yecla compare to DO Jumilla?
These wines are similar in style, but the wines of Yecla are slightly more fruit-driven & lower in alcohol.
Name the Vino de la Tierras of Murcia.
- VT Campo de Cartagena (1999)
- VT Murcia (2009)
NOT NTK
Where is VT Campo de Cartagena located?
Southeastern Murcia, near the Mediterranean.
NOT NTK
What styles of wine are produced in VT Campo de Cartagena?
- Blanco
- Rosado
- Tinto
- Espumoso
- Other
Note: percentages not available.
NOT NTK
Name the white varieties permitted in VT Campo de Cartagena?
Preferred:
* Merseguera
* Viura/Macabeo
Authorized:
* Chardonnay
* Malvasia
* Moscatel de Grano Menudo
* Sauvignon Blanc
NOT NTK
Name the red varieties permitted in VT Campo de Cartagena?
Preferred:
* Garnacha Tinta
* Monastrell
* Tempranillo/Cencibel
Authorized:
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot
* Petit Verdot
* Syrah
NOT NTK
What area does VT Murcia cover?
All authorized vineyards w/in the entire autonomous region of Murcia.
NOT NTK
What styles of wine are produced in VT Murcia?
- Tinto (100%)
- Blanco (<1%)
- Rosado (<1%)
- Espumoso (<1%)
- Other (<1%)
NOT NTK
Name the white varieties permitted in VT Murcia.
Preferred:
* Airen
* Merseguera
* Moscatel de Alejandria
* Pedro Ximenez
* Verdil
* Viura/Macabeo
Authorized: Chardonnay, Malvasia, Moscatel de Grano, Menudo, Sauvignon Blanc, Forcallat Blanca, Viognier
NOT NTK
Name the red varieties permitted in VT Murcia.
Preferred:
* Garnacha Tinta
* Monastrell
* Tempranillo/Cencibel
Authorized: Bonicaire, Cabernet Sauvignon, Forcallat Tinta, Garnacha Tintorera, Merlot, Moravia Dulce/Crujidera, Petit Verdot, Syrah
NOT NTK