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Wset Diploma Unit 3 > Spain > Flashcards

Spain Flashcards

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1
Q

How long ago were grapes cultivated

A

3000-4000 bc

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2
Q

First traces of cultivation by Greeks?

A

700bc

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3
Q

Industrialisation of wine production under Roman rule.

A

200bc

Production far exceeded that of France or Italy.

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4
Q

Birth of sherry industry?

A

16th Century

Progressively exported all over the world.

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5
Q

The first ‘modern Rioja’ using French vat-fermenting methods

A

1850’s

Luciano de Murrieta

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6
Q

Joseph Raventos founded Cordoniu

Frances turns to Spain post-phylloxera for wine supplies.

A

1870’s

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7
Q

Phylloxera hits Spain -> replanting in favour of higher yielding non-native varietals.

A

1890’s- 1900

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8
Q

Start of DO, and the first DO’s were created.

A

1920’s - 1930’s

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9
Q

Wine industry is crippled by civil war under General Franco’s rule.

A

1939 - 1978

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10
Q

Modernisation of viticulture and winemaking

Vineyard management, winery equipment & hygiene.

A

1978- present.

Spain joined the EU in 1978

-> modernisation enhanced by European investment & companies . Eg. Miguel Torres.

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11
Q

Irrigation allowed

A

2003

This was following major drought of 92/93

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12
Q

Average altitude?

A

650m

Spain is most mountainous wine country in the world

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13
Q

Three key mountain ranges (cordilleras)

What?
Where?

A

Meseta ->
Central plateau (600-1000m) tilting west.
Covers central Spain.
Gives birth to major rivers.

Cantabrian Mountains ->
North west (2600m).
Protects regions like Rioja from Atlantic wind/ rain off Bay of Biscay

Sierra Morena
Central south, east to west (1300m).
Protects La Mancha from Mediterranean influence off Andalucia

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14
Q

Key rivers

What?

Where?

A

The Ebro
Rioja -> Catalunya, south of Barcelona.

The Duero
Ribera del Duero -> Rueda -> Toro -> Portugal (aka Douro)

The Tajo & Guadiana
-> Flow through La Mancha

The Guadalquivir
Sierra Morena mountains -> Andalucia -> Sanlucar de Barrameda

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15
Q

How many varieties?

A

400 varieties

But 20 of them represent 80% of production

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16
Q

Tempranillo (17%)

Aka Cencibel, Tinto Fino, Ull de Lebre

A

Premier native black
Thick skin
Ripens weeks early (temprano)
Loves chalk & temperate climate (acid & elegance)

Little resistance to disease and pests
Med -> full body
Low -> med acid
Med tannins

2nd most planted grape in the world.

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17
Q

Garnacha

Aka Grenache

A

Native to northern Spain
Strong wood & canopy -> wind & heat resistant
Buds early but picked last. (Long growing season)
Vigorous -> high yielding (needs hot dry soil)

Thin skin, light pigment -> pale wine
High alc
Low tannin
Light red fruit
*older vines more concentrated & tannic w/ dark fruit (Priorat)

Often blended to add fruitless and body.

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18
Q

Carinena

Aka Mazuelo, Carignan

A

Native to Aragon
Late budding late ripening (-> suited to warm climate)
Very high yielding
Thick stalks -> Hard for machine harvesting

Deep colour, high acid, high tannin

Often blended

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19
Q

Monastrell

Aka Mourvèdre

A

Buds late, ripens late (-> suited to warm climate)

Best on: south facing, shallow, water retaining clay.
South east Spain

Dark, full bodied, high acid, high tannin, med + alc
Bramble, meat and spice

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20
Q

Garciano

A

Low yielding
Buds very late
Prone to downy mildew

Deep coloured, high acid, high tannin, strong perfume.
Sharp when young

Limited plantings, mainly Rioja to be blended.

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21
Q

Other grapes?

A

Bobal, Syrah, Merlot, Cab Sav

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22
Q

Airen 25%

A

Prized for its hardiness and resistance to drough
Not much character
Prone to oxidation

Mainly in La Mancha for light fresh wines or distillation

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23
Q

Albariño

A

Native to Galicia

Thick skins (-> resist damp climates)
Almost extinct post phylloxera 
Dry, high acid
Light body
Peachy floral mineral

Mostly grown on Atlantic coast

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24
Q

Verdejo

A

Dry, high acid
Light - Medium body
Delicate tropical flavours
Prone to oxidation -> harvested at night

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25
Q

Malvasia

A

Full bodied
Used in traditional oak aged Rioja a long side Viura
Add richness to blend

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26
Q

Viura

Aka Macabeo

A

Native to France

Floral fresh & good acid (in low yields)
Rioja & Catalunya
Base for Cava

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27
Q

Viticulture

How many ha?
Vine density?
Vine training?

A

1.2million hectares -> larger in the world under vine!

VERY low density planting -> 900-1,600 vines/ha

Bush vines (en vaso) 
*old vines 40+  -> yield low <20hl/ha
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28
Q

Classification & labelling

6 different quality levels

A

Vino de Mesa - (Table wine)

Vino de la Tierra - (VdP/ IGT)

VCIG, Vinos de Calidad con Indicacio Geographica. - (stepping stone)
DO, Denominacion de Origen - (AOC)
DO Pago - Star performer

DOCa/ DOQ, Denominacion de Origen Calificada - Highest Standards

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29
Q

Vino de Mesa

A

Table wine

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30
Q

Vino de la Tierra

A

Similar to VdP or IGT

40 of them

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31
Q

VCIG

A

Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geographica

Stepping stone to a higher quality level
5 years before promotion

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32
Q

DO

A

Denominacion de Origen

60 of them

Equivalent to AOC.
Must satisfy grape varieties & Min quality, viti/ vini methods, location & style. -> all specified by Consejo Regulador.

10 years for promotion to DOCa/ DOQ

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33
Q

DO Pago

A

Outstanding single estate from a DO

X 9

Must produce from own grapes

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34
Q

DOCa/ DOQ

A

Denominacion de Origen Calificada

X 2
Rioja 1991
Priorat 2003
(Duero expected 2008 but never happened)

Highest standards set and controlled by Consejo Regulador.

Ageing requirements ->
JOVEN - bottle

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35
Q

Production

How much is produced?
% of table/ quality?
Which region contributes the most?

How many wineries?

Value of export?

A
  • Spain is 3rd largest producer in the world (34.3mhl 2011) nearly double the US
  • 46% Table , 34% DO
  • > La Mancha contributes most with 47% of this. Catalunya 10%, Rioja 7%
  • 10,000 wineries
  • £1.5m exported (mostly to UK and Germany)
  • Cava contributes to most export (20%), Rioja (18%), La Mancha (10%)
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36
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja (Upper Ebro)

History

A

200bc - Bush vines and foot trodden
Until 19th - Carbonic/ Light & fruity
1852 - Luciano de Murrieta uses Bordeaux Oak -> ‘modern Rioja’.
1850/60’s - Camilo Hurtado (Marquis de Riscal) -> 1st industrial scale.
1860/70’s - Bordeaux flee phylloxera -> To Rioja-> Money & prep.
1901 - Rioja hit by phylloxera. (By which time Bordeaux recovered).
1926 - Consejo Regulador created -> delimited production zones
1960/70’s - Investment from foreign markets + Major motorway.
1991 - Rioja promoted to DOCa

37
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja (Upper Ebro)

Topography & Soils

A

(South Cantabrian)mountains -> protect from Atlantic wind & rain.
Mediation from (Ebro river)
Most vineyards on plateau @ (300-800m)

Soils (Iron/ chalk rich clay)
Alluvial & fertile in the east.

38
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja (Upper Ebro)

Climate & weather

A

Continental

Some cool maritime influence on Alta (warmer) and Alvesa

Hotter & drier in Baja. (Mediterranean in East Baja)

Rainfall is 300-500mm (Baja - Alvesa)

39
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja

Alavesa

A

16,000ha
Basque province (west Logrono, north Ebro)
Cooler maritime, higher rainfall
Chalk rich, south facing -> lighter body with finesse.

Mostly Tempranillo (94%)

40
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja

Alta

A

29,000ha

West of Logrono, South of Ebro
Warmer maritime, drier.
Higher elevation -> shorter growing season. 
Clay/ Red iron rich soils
- Viura ❤️ clay
- Tempranillo ❤️ iron
- Malvasia ❤️ alluvial
41
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja

Baja

A

25,000ha

East of Logrono
South of Ebro
Continental/ Mediterranean in East
Drought in summer (35C)

Heavy clay ❤️ Garnacha

*Baja -> deep colour, high alc, low acid. Moderate flavour intensity.

42
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja

Red Grapes

A

Red & rose (90%) of production

Tempranillo - ❤️ Clay & limestone in Alvesa and Alta. 60/70% of blend.

Garnacha - Drought resistant & high yields, prefers Baja. 20% of blend.

Mazuelo/ Carignan - ❤️ Warmer climate. 10% of blend.

Graciano - the last bit of seasoning.

*since 2007 (Maturana tinta, Maturana, Monastrell).

43
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja

White grapes

A

10% of production

Viura/ Macabeo

Malvasia

Garnacha Blanca - Tiny amounts -> adds weight and body to Viura based wines.

*Since 2007- Verdejo, SB, Chardonnay, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo blanco, Turruntes.

44
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja

Size?

Vines?

A

60,000ha

Bushvines

45
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja

Red Vini

A

*Aim is not defined by fermentation -> but by barrel maturation

225l barrels.

Traditionally long, new American oak -> Vanilla (young) / Meaty (old)

Modern wines -> darker, richer, more pronounced strawberry/ coconut/ toast.

CRIANZA - Min 1 year in oak
RESERVA - Min 1 year in oak
GRAN RESERVA - Min 2 years in oak

*rose is mainly garnacha and unaged.

46
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja

White vini

Then& now

A

Traditional -> deliberate oxidation w/ American oak. Nutty & savoury. (Lopez de Heredia)

Modern -> low temp ferment & stainless steel.

  • Some French oak & barrel ferment experimentation.
  • Majority Viura & Malvasia (Chard & SB no more than 49%)

CRIANZA - Min 6 months oak
RESERVA - Min 6 months oak
GRAN RESEVRA - Min 6 months oak

47
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja

Production/ trade/ structure.

How many litres/ year
How many bodegas/ growers/ coops
Style constitution

A

250m litres/ year from
-> 500 bodegas buying directly from 20,000 growers
Or via the 30 cooperatives that control 45% of grapes.

75% red
15% rose
10% white

48
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja
Consejo Regulador?

Where is it?
What does it do?
Activities?

A

Based in Logrono.

  • Growers, producers & merchants set the rules.
  • Keeps land register & monitors stock movement.
  • Laboratories in Haro & LaGuardia for testing before export.
  • Won a case in 2000 (mandatory bottling in region)
  • Enforced a Rioja ‘logo’ to support modernisation of Rioja wine marketing.
49
Q

Northern Central Spain - Rioja

Key producers

A

Marques de Riscal (4m bottles/ year) - Alvesa

  • Camille Hurtado -> Francisco Hurtado.
  • Ownes oldest Cab Sav in Rioja.
  • Signature ‘super Riserva Baron de Chirel’ (Cab Sav)

Marques de Caceres (8.4m bottles/ year) - Alta

  • 1970
  • No land -> Purchased fruit
  • Emile Peynaud & Michel Rolland influencial. Changed the face of Rioja.
  • Very modern

Marques de Murrieta (1.5m bottles/ year) - Alta

  • 1852
  • Luciano de Murrieta -> Cebrian family
  • Famous Castilla Ygay for Reds
  • White- Capellania, single vineyard, old vine Malvasia. Traditional Oaky.

CVNE - Alta

  • 1879, one of the oldest bodegas.
  • Owned in Entirety by Real de Asia family.
  • 1990’s heavy investment. State of the art.
  • Vina Real (Alavesa temp) & Imperial Reserva ( Alta graciano & garnacha)
50
Q

Navarra

History

A

200bc - Romans grow and produce.

1890’s - Phylloxera 🔪98% Nav vineyards -> replant garnacha.

1980s/Now - Bulk wine (much rose) -> Quality/ private & Co-op w/ good bottling & labelling from EVENA research.

51
Q

Navarra

Soils & top
5 Zones

A

North of Rioja Baja
Lower slopes of Pyrenees descending to Ebro basin.

Brown/ grey limestone -> alluvial in Ribera Baja

5 Zones

  1. ) Valdizarbe
  2. ) Tierra Estella
  3. ) Ribera Alta
  4. ) Baja Montana
  5. ) Ribera Baja (30% of vineyards)
52
Q

Navarra

Climate & weather

A

Continental (long hot dry summers w/ cold winters)

Atlantic influences in northern zone -> moderate heat & slow ripening.

Average rainfall is 400-600mm

53
Q

Navarra

Grapes

A

Reds & rose (95%)

Tempranillo (36%)
Garnacha (32%)
Cab Sav (13%)
Merlot (11%)
Graciano &amp; Mazuelo

Whites (5%)

Viura (4%)
Chardonnay (1%)
Garnacha Blanca & Moscatel

54
Q

Navarra

Viticulture

Area?
Training?
Density?
Hazards?

A

13,300ha

Most are trellised -> mechanisation and maximum sun exposure

High planting density

High altitude frost and occasional storms.

55
Q

Navarra

What is EVENA?

A

Estacion de Viticultura y Enologica de Navarra

EVENA -> a Research foundation located in Pamplona in old distillery.

Pioneers work around soils, winemaking and bottling.

Many plantings around the region -> varieties & experimentation

56
Q

Navarra

Production

A

47m litres/ year
1/3 exported

Light fresh rose and high quality red. (White limited)

Key producers- 
bodegas Julian Chivite 
- 1647
- first DO Pago 2007
- 75% of all exports until 80’s -> refurbished

Ochoa

  • 1847
  • Small but dynamic
  • age worthy Gran Reserva + Navarra first Muscat.
  • Javier Ochoa directed EVENA for a few years.
57
Q

Somontano

A

Soils&top

  • Foothills of Pyrenees.
  • 350- 650m
  • Dark sandy clay (high in lime/ rich in alluvial)

Climate

  • Cool continental, high diurnal
  • 500m rain

Grapes

  • Moristel (light red, Logan berry, oxidises, for blending)
  • Cab Sav
  • Merlot
  • PN
  • Chard
  • Chenin
  • Gewürztraminer

Viti

  • 4000ha
  • Hazards: winter freeze

Styles

  • Jovenes from white/rose/Red - Macabeo/ moristel/ Garnacha. But let common.
  • More modern fruit driven French blends.

Production

  • 93% by 3 wineries
  • Vinas del vinero
  • Enate
  • Bodegas Pirineos
58
Q

Carinena

Soils&amp;top
Climate
Grapes
Viti
Styles
A

Rocky plateau surrounded by hills -> protects from cool winds off Pyrenees.

Red/ brown limestone
Rocky subsoil
High calcium carbonate and slate

Continental, long hot summers (38c)
-8 in winter

Garnacha (55%)
Tempranillo (10%)
Carinena (10%)
Merlot &amp; Syrah
Macabeo (20%)
Chardonnay &amp; Paralleda

17,000ha
Trellising
One of oldest DO in EU (1932)

Traditionally high alc -> improvement in yields & techniques.
Good quality inexpensive Reserva and gran Reserva.

59
Q

Catalayud

Soils&amp;top
Climate/weather
Grapes
Viti
Vini/ styles
Production
A

Continental hot dry summers w/ 6 month cold winters + frost
Arid
300-500mm rainfall

SW of Carinena in region of Aragon
South facing banks of Jalon river
550-800m
Rocky brown limestone & loam over slate and gypsum

Garnacha (80%)
Tempranillo
Viura

5,600ha
DO since 1990
Low yields 20hl/ha

Rich powerful Reds
Recent investment in stainless steel & refrigeration for international crisp Viura.
New oak.

San Alejandro cooperative leads with well priced international style.

60
Q

Penedes

History

A

600bc - Phoenicians introduce Chardonnay
19th- One of first regions w/ mass production. Birth of Cava 1887.
1960/70s - Miguel Torres spearheads radical transformation (stainless steel, temperature control, international varieties)
1980s - Penedes overshadowed by Priorat Reds.
Now - Still most important DO in Catalunya.

61
Q

Penedes

Soils& top

A

NE Spain
SW of Barcelona

Well drained, deep, port quality soils of MIOCENE sediments

62
Q

Penedes

Climate/ weather

A

Mediterranean
Proximity to coast & 800m high terrain -> Varied microclimates
Coastal very hot & dry
Inland <900mm rain & frost

63
Q

Penedes

Three key zones

A

Baix Penedes

  • Coastal up to 250m
  • Hot Mediterranean. (Warmest of the three)
  • Sandy soil
  • Sturdy Garnacha, Carinena, Monastrell.

Mitja- Penedes

  • 250- 500m.
  • More temperate climate.
  • Chalk and clay.
  • Centre for Cava -> Xarello, Paralleda & Macabeo
  • Ull de Llebre & Cab Sav

Alt- Penedes

  • 500-850m
  • Cool continental -> like champagne -> cold nights and frost but w/ long sunny growing season.
  • Limestone
  • Chard, PN, Gewürztraminer, Riesling
  • Low yields
64
Q

Penedes

Grapes

A

Reds (33%)

Ull de llebre 
Garnacha
Monastrell
Xarello
Paralleda
Macabeo
65
Q

Penedes

Viti

Area & DO?

A

27,000ha

DO since 91

66
Q

Penedes

Key producers

A

Bodegas Torres (25m bottles/ year)

  • 1870
  • 1,500ha (largest winery in Spain)
  • Famous by Miguel Torres Carbo (40/50’s) touring world/ promoting. Also pioneered estate bottling.
  • Son introduces modern viti/vini in 60’s
  • Estates & joint ventures Curico, Sonoma, China.

Cordoniu

  • # 1 for bottle fermented sparkling in the world.
  • Expanded into US and Douro.

Freixenet

  • Largest exporter of Cava.
  • Feixeneda (plantation of ash trees owned by Pedro Ferrers family)
  • 150m bottles a year.
67
Q

Conca de Barbera

A

NE Spain
SW Penedes
Inland between Tarragona and Costers del Segre

500m

Chalky

Same grapes as Penedes

5,800ha
DO since 89
Older vines en vaso -> recent plantings trellised.
Vineyards classes ‘experimental’
Irrigation allowed

Ultra modern-> instantly appealing.
Most grapes used for Cava though.
Fresh young whites from cava blend.

68
Q

Costers del Segre

A

NE Spain
West of Conca de Barbera
Mountainous protection

Sandy over limestone

Semi-arid, extreme diurnal. Low rain (400mm)

Same grapes as Conca & Penedes

4,000ha
DO since 1988

Automatic irrigation @35C
Winter frost

Few producers but high quality.
History linked to Raimat.

Cordoniu/ Raimat 3,000ha.
- Manuel Raventos invested in the derelict castle of Raimat. Big vineyard renovation between 1914 & 1978

69
Q

Priorat

History

A

12th - Carthusian monks founded priory of Scala Dei & introduced art of Viticulture to area.

1970s - Rene Barber saw potential -> Clos Magador -> friends follow.
1993 - Alvaro Palacios bottles L’Hermita (old vine Grenache) -> succesfully priced higher than Vega Sicilia.

70
Q

Priorat

Soil&top

A

SW Tarragona
Isolated, Sparsely populated
Surrounded by precipitous mountains.

Terraced upto 700m asl.

Unique volcanic rock

  • Licorella (red slate & mica) 50cm thick over bedrock of schist.
  • > Great challenge for vines.
  • Best near Gratallop.
71
Q

Priorat

What is the climate?

A

Hot, dry continental -> cooler with altitude.

Rainfall is 400mm

High seasonal variation +35 -> -4

72
Q

Priorat

Grapes

A

Reds (96% of plantings)

Garnacha 38%
Carinena 25%
Cab Sav 14%
Syrah 11% (but growing)
Merlot 6%

Whites (4% of plantings)

Garnacha Blanca 2%
Macabeo 1%
Pedro Ximenez

73
Q

Priorat

Viti

Area?
Training?
Hazards?

A

1,800ha
Very low yields (thick poor soils & hot climate) -> grapes very expensive

Mechanisation is impossible.
Traditionally En Vaso but newer Espaldera.

Frost and Hail big problem.

74
Q

Priorat

Style

Then & now?

A

Traditional Priorat

  • Low yielding Garnacha & Carinena + Long oak ageing w/ rancid & mushroom.
  • Deep, tannic, alcoholic.

Modern wines

  • Local & international varieties.
  • Better control of oak.
  • Intense bramble, powerful tannins, oak and longevity
75
Q

Priorat

Production/ trade

Who dominates
Producers

A

27,000hl dominated by cooperatives + 50 bodegas.

2nd DOQ in Spain (2003)

Clos Mogador - Gratallops

  • Late 70s
  • 20ha
  • Tinto Reserve.
  • Garnacha, Cab sav, Syrah, Carinena
  • 16 months oak.

Alvaro Palacios - Gratallops

  • World famous L’Hermita in 1993 (100yr Garnacha vines + Cab Sav)
  • Most sought after & expensive
  • 25ha + bought in grapes
76
Q

Tarragona

A

Renowned for sweet in Roman times
After 1960’s- reputation for coarse alcoholic Reds.

Mediterranean w/ continental inland

Alluvial soils in plains
Dark soils w/ limestone in hills inland
Upto 400m

Tarragona Campo (coastal) - easy and fruity
Tarragona Falset (altitude) - Classico and easy drinking.

Modern red white and rose
Rancios in demijohns (4yrs)
Tarragona Classico (temp, 12yr, 17%)
Sweets in vats/ cask / bottle 5-10 yr.

Catalunya grape blend
White (70%)
Red (30%)

7,300ha
DO since 1976
Traditionally En Vaso, but newer Espaldera.
Minimal frost.

*Cellar de Capcanes was first coop to drive quality w/ old vine Garnacha..

77
Q

Duero valley - Toro

History
Climate
Soils&amp;top
Grapes
Styles
Viti
Production
A

100bc - first wines made
Middle Ages - Toro known all over thanks to King Alfonso IX
19th- phylloxera did not effect region so bad -> sandy soils.

Extreme continental
High diurnal -11 -> +30
Low rain 350mm
2,600 hours of sunlight

Located up stream of Portugal. Province of Zamora.
650-750m high
Alluvial Sandy w/ limestone sub

Tinta de Toro (clone of Tempranillo)
Garnacha
Verdejo
Viura

Reds - 
100% Tina de a Toro, full bod, high alc, soft tan. 6mths oak/ 2yr ageing.
Rose -
50/50 TdT &amp; Garnacha
Whites -
100% Verdejo 
100% Malvasia

6,000ha
DO since 87

Bodegas Vega Sauco- American oak, intense colour and flavour.
*Much outside investment.

78
Q

Duero valley - Rueda

A

11thC- first evidence of winemaking (Verdejo since 18th)
1890s- phylloxera 🔪 2/3 vineyards
1972- Arrival of Marques de Riscal from Rioja -> revolution.
1980- DO Created

600-800m flat plains.
Duero flows west
Iron rich w/ good drainage. Some chalk in the north.

Continental cool evenings -> elegance
Rains is 400mm
2,700 hours sunlight
Strong wind

Tinta del Paris -Clone of Tempranillo
Verdejo
Sauvignon blanc

7,600ha
Most vineyards planted for mechanisation. But low trained from wind.
Spring frost & hail

Whites- harvested at night. Selection tables. Cold maceration. Temperature controlled fermentation.
Min 50% Verdejo. Aromatic, peach, melon.

Most production is white wine. Winemakers battle in court to keep DO 100% white.

Vinos Blancos de Castilla. Undisputed pioneer in modern winemaking in Rueda w/ help from Emile Peynaud in 70’s. 1.5m bottles.

79
Q

Duero valley - Ribera del Duero

A

12th- Arrival of Benedictine monks from cluny. Birth of modern Vit.
1970/80s- Tradition of cheap rose overturned by quality driven Bodegas like Pasquera -> Began with elegance but more full bodied, concentrated and fruity. International interest.

Flat high altitude around Cigales (700-800m)
Best soils Limestone and large rocks for drainage.

Continental tempered by altitude. High diurnal range.

Reds dominate (80%)
Tinta fino (clone of Tempranillo)

Albillo 1%
Pale skin full body aromatic low acid white.

21,00ha
DO since 1982
8,000+ vine growers
Spring frosts

Styles: 100% Tempranillo (except Vega Sicilia).
Not aged as long as Rioja.
Deeper colour. Higher sweeter tannins. French oak.
Vega Sicilia aged many years in cask/oak/vat/concrete. Premium.

73m bottles/ year
250 bodegas including:

Vega Sicilia (2.3m bottles/ year)

  • 1864 (1900’s style defined, 1980s quality jump- Alvarez acquisition)
  • 200ha
  • Limestone (Tinto fino + 20% Cab Sav, Merlot, Malbec, Albillo)
  • Valbuena - 5yrs in American oak. Unico - only best vintages. 10yrs.

Pingus

  • 5ha
  • Bordeaux trained Peter Sisseck.
  • Best terroirs & new oak only.
  • Parker acclaimed cult wine
  • Flor de Pingus 2nd

Pasquera

  • Alejandro Fernandez, credited to creation of modern Ribera del Duero.
  • Robert Parker calls Petrus of Spain
  • 100% Tinto fino + American oak.
80
Q

Duero Valley - Bierzo

A

Borders Galicia
Gentle slopes low altitude
Protected from Atlantic influence by mountains
Rich & fertile soils w/ quartz & slate.

Climate is more balanced vs rest of Castilla y Leon.
Less extreme continental

Mencia

  • Similar to Cab franc.
  • Mineral crunchy red berry. Herbaceous & high acid.
  • Distinct dark fruit in old vine.
  • Best on well drained slate & granite

Godello

DO since 1989
All Reds must contain 75% mencia.

Revived interest in the 90’s from Priorat producers.
- Descendients de J. Palacios
Old 15ha owned by Alvaro Palacios & nephew. Biodynamic.

81
Q

Galicia - Rias Baixas

A

1970s - Revival (formerly hybrids & cheap palamino) Helped by EU funding after joining EU in 86.
Main DO in Galicia.

Northern Atlantic/ NW Spain.
5x Sub zones, varied micro climates.
E.g El Salnes, around Cambados w/ low rolling hills - Rocky & alluvial.

Atlantic climate, mild temperatures & high rainfall (1,300mm)
Wet winters and sea fog.
High vintage variation affects prices.

Whites dominate (90% production)
Albariño (90%)
- Native (almost extinct post phylloxera)
Loureira blanca, Treixadura, Torrontes, Godello.

2,700ha
DO since 1998
Vines trained along granite posts (parrales) and wires to protect from humidity & maximise sun exposure,

Hazards: Dampness, coastal wind, frost, hail, summer heat.

Rias Baixas DO must contain min 70% Albariño. To be drunk young.
*experimental w/ some barrel fermentston.

Martin Codax (1.5m bottle/ year)

Reds-
Caino Tinto -> Tart, acidic, perfumed.

82
Q

The Levant - Valencia

A

South east coast, low altitude, higher inland.
Clay soils on coast. Limestone inland. Most vineyards inland.

Warm Mediterranean
Mild continental inland.

Reds-
Tempranillo
Bobal- deep colour/ high acid/ high tannin/ low alcohol (bulk)
Monastrell, Garnacha, Cab Sav.

Whites-
Merseguera- Old spanish, vigorous, neutral.
Moscatel
Macabeo

17,000ha
Low density En Vaso (cooler coastal) & en Espaldera (milder inland)
Drought -> drip irrigation allowed.

Move towards quality but mainly value for money.
To be drunk young,

5 producers dominate

83
Q

The Levant - Utiel Requena

A

Inland hills of Valencia.
Dark soils w/ high lime
Permeable but poor organic

Severe continental. +40 -> -10
(Long hot dry summers, cold winters)
450mm rainfall
Mediterranean influence from coast + cooling Solano wind.

Reds -
Bobal 80% & native.

Whites-
Macabeo

40,000ha
DO since 1957
Autumn frost and hail

Mostly rose and sturdy young reds.
Doble pasta -> double maceration for rose
100 wineries

84
Q

The Levant - Alicante

A

Hills behind Alicante. South of Valencia.
Alluvial soils w/ limestone sub.

Hot Mediterranean

Reds-
Monastrell (mostly)
Garnacha tinta, Tempranillo, bobal, Cab Sav.

Whites-
Moscatel
Merseguera
Plants fina

14,000ha
En Vaso (due to heat)
Frost inland

Exports easy drinking whites, Reds, Rose & sweet Moscatel.
*Fondillon - traditional naturally sweet late picked Monastrell (8yrs oak)

90% of production from poorly equipped cooperative.
More quality producers - Bocopa (coop), Enrique Mendoza (Private)

85
Q

The Levant - Yecla

A

South East, west of Alicante (sandwiched between Alicante and Jumilla)
400-800m high
Sandy & clay high in carbonate w/ limestone sub.

Mediterranean/ continental w/ long hot dry summers & mild winters.
Very high summer temp 39C
3,000 hours sun
300mm rain

Monastrell 85% of plantings

Whites- Macabeo & Airen

20,000ha
DO since 1975
Some untouched by phylloxera
Hailstorms

Carbonic maceration for JOVEN vines

Only 3 bodegas bottle
Bodegas Castano - quality driven.

86
Q

The Levant - Jumilla

A

West of Yecla.
Half of vineyards part of La Mancha
700m high
Hot dry sandy soil (no phylloxera until 80’s)

Hot arid Mediterranean
3,000 hours sun
300mm rain

Grapes same as Yecla (85% Monastrell, airen & Macabeo)

33,000ha
DO since 1966
Replanting new varieties since phylloxera in 1980s
* As 50% vineyards in La Mancha & 50% in Murcia -> DO is managed by Ministry of Agriculture and not local Consejo Regulador.

Strong Reds, full bod, high alc, high tannin, dark fruit/ meat/ liquorice.
Mostl Joven. Some crianza and Reserva.
Reds & rosados must contain 50% Monastrell. Some sweet.

One of country’s leading DO -> recognised high quality potential.

San Isidro cooperative dominates.
Torres also invested heavily.

87
Q

The Meseta - La Mancha

A

1940’s- Production took off w/ arrival of cooperatives.
1986- Key topic in EU funding schemes.

500-700m high plateau. South of Madrid
Most vineyards located in Ciudad Real. (One of 5 subzones)
Dry/ hard/ shallow/ sandy/ clay

Hot, dry, extreme continental
-15 -> +45C
Rain 300-400mm
3,000 hours of sun

Whites (75%)
Airen (50%)
Macabeo
Verdejo

Reds (25%)
Cencibel aka Tempranillo (17%)
Garnacha
Syrah
Cabsav
163,000ha (worlds largest wine region)
DO since 1976
17,000 growers
Low density, bush trained (leaves shade grapes from scorching sun)
Recent move to pick earlier.
Drought (irrigation since 96)

Stainless steel, cool fermentation. Neutral whites.

Represents 50% of Spain’s harvest.
Most exported to Germany and France.

Tomelloso 1m bottles/ year.

88
Q

The Meseta - Valdepenas

A

Small enclave. South of La Mancha plateau.
Surrounded by hills. Name means ‘valley of the rocks’
Limestone based, good water retention, some alluvial.

Hot, dry, extremely continental -10 -> +40C
Minimal rainfall

Same grapes as La Mancha (Airen & Cencibel)

30,000ha
DO since 1932
Newer plantations on trellises -> increase in production

Modern winemaking -> temp control, stabilisation, filtration.

Whites 100% Airen.
Reds- carbonic / American oak

Bodegas Real - 1.2m bottles/ year.

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