Northern Spain (Galicia, Castilla y Leon) Flashcards
Who is the largest producer in Galicia?
Bodegas Martin Codax (co-op)
What is the climate of Galicia?
a martime, with high rainfall
What % of production is Albarino in Rias Baixas?
95%
What are the blending grapes for Albarino in Rias Baixas?
Loureira
Treixadura
Caino Blanco
What are the characteristics of Loureira?
- early ripening
- medium (+) acidity
- Aromatic citrus, pear, floral and herbal notes
What are the characteristics of Treixadura?
- mid-ripening
- low acidity
- apple and peach flavors
What are the characteristics of Caino Blanco?
- late ripening
- high acidity
- citrus flavors
What are the local black varieties in Rias Baixas?
- Souson (Vinhao in Vinho Verde, Souzão in Douro - now Sezão)
- Caino Tinto
What are the five subzones of Rias Baixas?
- Val do Salnes - the oldest, most wineries, coastal.
- O Rosal - on River Mino, border with Portugal, warmer than Val do Salnes
- Condado do Tea
- Ribeira do Ulla - the newest
- Soutomaior - the smallest
What is the pergola called in Rias Baixas? What is made from?
Parral
Granite stones
What is the trellising system for the bigger growers in Rias Baixas?
VSP, allows for mechanization
What are the typical winemaking process for inexpensive wines in Rias Baixas?
- macerated for a few hous
- cool fermentation in stainless steel
- at least partial malolactic conversation
- released early from the winery
What are the typical winemaking process for more expensive wines of Rias Baixas?
-stored on lees for 1 to 2 years
- the lees are not stirred
- ferment in oak
What is the most planted variety in Ribeiro?
Treixadura
What is the climate of Ribeiro?
a maritime climate, high rainfall
What are the rivers go through Ribeira Sacra?
River Mino & River Sil
What is the climate of Ribeira Sacra?
Continental
What is the most important grape in Ribeira Sacra?
Mencia
What are the most important varieties in Valdeorras?
Godello and Mencia
What is the climate of Valdeorras?
a continental climate, still plentiful of rain (700-1000mm)
What is the mountain range in Monterrei?
the Sierra de Larouca mountains
What are the most important varieties in Monterrei?
Godello and Mencia
Who is the significant producers in Bierzo?
Alvaro Palacios
What are the important varieties of Bierzo?
Mencia
Godello
some other white Galacian
What are the characteristics of Mencia?
- early-mid ripening
- Medium (+) or high acidity
quickly accumulate sugar, = high alcohol if picked too late
How much Mencia is required for red wine blend? (Bierzo?)
min 70% plus Alicante Bouschet
What are the characteristics of Alicante Bouschet?
- a red-fleshed variety giving deep color,
- Red and black berry fruit
What are the altitude of Bierzo?
500-850m
What are the soils of Bierzo?
shallow, poor slate soils
What are the common training system of Bierzo?
Bush vines, over 60 years old
What are the styles of wines allowed in Toro?
- Tinto - Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) min 75% - rest Grenache.
- Rose - Tinta de Toro or Garnacha
- Blanco - Malvasia or Verdejo
When is not irrigation permitted in Toro?
from June until after harvest (growing season)
What is the major soils of Toro?
Sandy soils, phylloxera has not been a problem and many vines are ungrafted
Who was the first winery in Ribera del Duero? when?
Vega Sicilia in the late 19th century
What is the elevation of Ribera del Duero?
450-1000m, cooler than Toro
When did white wines allowed in Ribera del Duero and what is the main variety?
2019, Albillo Mayor 75%
also added to red blends, rarely.
What is the variety requirement of Ribera del Duero Tinto?
75% Tinto Fino/Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo) with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha, Albillo
Who are the significant producers of Ribera del Duero other than Vega Sicilia?
Dominio de Pingus
What are the general trends of red wines winemaking? (where?)
- Less extraction
- less time on skins post-fermentation
- less new oak
Who started making the fresh, fruity white wines of Verdejo in Rueda?
Marques de Riscal winery
1970
What are the altitude of Rueda?
700-800m, resulting in cool nights
What are the soils of Rueda?
limestone, with a sandy clay sub-layer and then a topsoil of stones
What are the characteristics of Verdejo?
- medium to medium (+) acidity
- medium alcohol
- apple, pear with herbal note
- a slight bitterness on the finish
If labeled Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc, what % of the named variety must be contained?
at least 85%
