N/Central Spain - Duero Valley - Toro

Answer 1

1st BC: first wines made in the area.
• Middle ages: Toro renowned for its wine all over Spain thanks to King Alfonso IX
• 19th: Phylloxera did not affect the region as badly thanks to sandy soils (esp. in the north).

Answer 2

Extreme continental climate with wide temperature range (-11C to 3C) w low rainfall 350mm & 2,600h of sunlight

• Located in the province of Zamora, upstream from Portugal. Most vineyards between 620-750m hi.
• Mainly alluvial soils but some sandy soils w limestone subsoil in the north

Answer 3

Reds

Tinta de Toro

1. Clone of Tempranillo; native to the area
2. Premier native black grape w thick skin; ripens early i.e. several weeks earlier vs. most Spanish red grapes (temprano: ‘early’)
3. Wines are med->full bodied, low to med+ acidity, w med tannins and flavours of strawberry, cherry, raspberry & plum. Oak and ageing add flavours of herbs, mushrooms, leather & tobacco

Garnacha

1. Mostly likely to originate from Northern Spain
2. Strong wood canopy & resistance to wind make it suited for dry, warm & windy climates
3. Buds early and requires a long growing season to fully ripen (often the last grape after Cab Sauv to be picked)
4. Vigorous vines i.e. hi yields that prefers hot dry soils
5. Pale coloured wine hi in alcohol, low in tannins w relatively light flavours of raspberries, strawberries

Answer 4

Whites (% of plantings)

1. Verdejo
2. Originates from North Africa; arrived in Spain in 11th to make oxidised wines
3. Wines are dry, light to medium- bodied w hi acidity and delicate flavours of tropical & stone fruit flavours e.g. melon, apricot & peach
4. Oxidises easily, generally harvested at night
5. Viura
6. Full bodied whites w aromas of peaches, apricots and white currants

Answer 5

1. Reds: predominantly 100% Tinta de Toro; full bodied, hi alcohol (up to 15% abv), soft tannins. Crianza min 6mths in oak & 2 yrs ageing
2. Rosados: mainly 50% Tinta de Toro & 50% Garnacha
3. Whites: 100% Verdejo or 100% Malvasia

• 6,000ha – DO since 1987
• Bodegas Vega Sauco’s wines enjoy long American oak-ageing for intense colour & taste.

• A lot of top producers from Ribera del Duero are investing in the area.