Spain- Castilla y Leon

Question 1

What is the climate of Castilla y Leon?

Answer 1

Continental climate, moderated slightly by its proximity to the Atlantic & Mediterranean.

Question 2

Which is the River, that flows trough the center of Castilla y Leon region?

Answer 2

Duero River.

Question 3

Which is the main red grape of Bierzo DO?

Answer 3

Mencia

Question 4

Name the 3 white grapes of Bierzo DO?

Answer 4

1.Godelo
2.Dona Blanca
3.Palomino

Question 5

Name the flagship estate of ‘Ribera de Duero DO’ region?

Answer 5

Vega Sicilia, founded by- Don Eloy Lecanda in 1864.

Question 6

Name the ‘Vega Sicilia’s’ benchmark wine?

Answer 6

*Unico, blended from Tinto del Pais, Cab Sauvignon, Merlot and aged, often for a decade or more in American and French Oak barrels.

Question 7

Name 2 others cult wine estate’s in the Ribera del Duero region?

Answer 7

1.Dominio de Pingus
2.Aalto

Question 8

What are the ageing requirements for Crianza, Reserva & Grand Reserva in Ribera del Duero region ?

Answer 8

*Crianza= min 2 years total, at least 1 year in oak.
BLANCO/ROSADO/CLARETE=min 18 months, at least 6 months in oak.

*Reserva= min 3 years total, at least 1 year in oak.
BLANCO/ROSADO/CLARETE=min 2 years, at least 6 months in oak.

*Gran Reserva= min 5 years total, at least 2 years in oak.
BLANCO/ROSADO/CLARETE=min 4 years, at least 6 months in oak.

Question 9

Which grape is used for the white wine production of Ribera del Duero region?

Answer 9

Must contain at least 75% of the early ripening ‘Albillo Mayor’ grape.

Question 10

Which grapes are used for the red wines of the Ribera del Duero region?

Answer 10

Min of 75% ‘Tinto del Pais’
plus Garnacha, Cab Sauvignon & Merlot.

Question 11

Name the main white grape variety for the production of the ‘Rueda DO’?

Answer 11

min 50% Verdejo or Sauvignon, often blended with Viura.
*Chardonnay & Viognier are also permitted.

Question 12

Which grape variety dominates the red wines of Rueda DO?

Answer 12

Tempranillo

Question 13

Name the ‘DO’ located west of Rueda, and the style of wines prduced?

Answer 13

*Toro DO, producing white, rose & red wines

Question 14

What are the requirements for red ‘Toro DO’?

Answer 14

*Min of 75% Tinta de Toro, or Garnacha.
Often produced solely from Tinta del Toro, which ripens easily in the extremely hot, dry climate of Toro DO.

Question 15

Which grapes are used for the white wines of the Toro DO?

Answer 15

Verdejo or Malvasia, along with Albillo Real and Muscat a Petit Grains.