Spain: Castilla y Leon Flashcards
What climates would you find in Castilla y Leon?
Many of it’s wine regions have continental climates, though there is some maritime influence to the west.
Where is Castilla y Leon?
It’s a large area in the north of Spain
Where is Bierzo?
NW of Castilla y Leon (NW Spain)
Who are Alvaro Palacios and Ricardo Perez and which winemaking region did the effect and how?
Winemakers from Priorat, attracted to Bierzo because of the slate slopes (similar to Priorat). They demonstrated to the international market that Bierzo could make high quality wines.
What geographical feature surrounds Bierzo?
Mountains of hills on 3 sides, but open to the west (towards the Atlantic), allowing some maritime influence
Are you likely to see much vintage variation in Bierzo?
Yes, some years cool and rainy, some warm and dry
What grape makes up 75% of plantings in Bierzo?
Mencia
Which white grape is found in Bierzo?
Godello and other white Galician varieties
When does Mencia ripen?
Early-mid ripening
What’s the acidity usually like in Mencia?
Medium (+) to high
Why is it important to pick Mencia at the right time?
It can quickly accumulate sugar and therefore result in high alcohol wines if picked too late
In Bierzo, what minimum of any red wine blend must made up of Mencia?
70%
Which grape variety is often blended with Mencia in Bierzo?
Alicante Bouschet
What is special about Alicante Bouschet?
It’s red fleshed, giving deep colour
What % of plantings in Bierzo are Alicante Bouschet?
2%
In Bierzo DO where would you expect inexpensive-mid priced wines to be made and what is the soil?
Lower slopes of the mountains, which have fertile silty loam soils
How would you expect inexpensive-mid priced wines in Bierzo DO to be made?
Carbonic or semi carbonic, no oak.
At what altitude would you expect to find the best vineyards of Bierzo?
500-850 m
What is the soil like high up on the hillside slopes in Bierzo DO and how does that impact?
Shallow, poor slate soils. (Good drainage, limits vigour)
In high quality red wines from Bierzo, what geographical factor helps to slow ripening?
Altitude creates a large diurnal range to help slow sugar accumulation and retain acidity while flavours and tannins accumulate (500-850 m)
Is Bierzo DO mainly old or new vines?
Significant proportion of old vines, with around 80% over 60 years old
Generally in Bierzo, yields are _____ and the overall cost of production is ______.
Generally in Bierzo, yields are LOW and the overall cost of production is HIGH.
What would you expect the main differences to be between Bierzo Mencia grown from the plains v the slopes in terms of tasting?
Wines grown on the slopes show more concentration, fuller body, higher alcohol, riper red fruit characteristics and sometimes a floral/herbal note. Oak influence (spicy character)
Would you expect red wines from Bierzo to be ages in oak?
For cheaper wines grown on the valley floor no, in more expensive styles from the slopes, yes.
Name 2 significant producers from Bierzo?
Descendientes de j. Palacios and Raul Perez
How many hectares are planted in Bierzo?
3000 ha
How would you harvest in Bierzo?
By hand- very small plots, steep slopes.
What is the annual average production in Bierzo?
96,000 hL
What amount of growers in Bierzo are associated with one of the region’s cooperatives?
Half
What change to Bierzo DO did the Consejo regulator make in 2017?
Recognised new classifications, based on specific geographical characteristics, that will be used to designate wines sources exclusively from villages and vineyards of particular note, with significant restrictions on yields.
Where is Toro DO?
In the west of Castilla y Leon (Spain)
Which river flows through Toro DO?
River Duero (River Douro in Portugal)
What is the climate in Toro DO?
Continental climate with hot summers and cold winters.
what is the altitude of Toro DO?
620-750 m
What is the diurnal range like in Toro DO and why?
large diurnal range due to continentality and altitude
What is the main grape in Toro DO?
Tinta de Toro (thought by some to be an adapted form of Tempranillo)
What are the skins like on Tinto de Toro?
Thick
Red wines in Toro DO must be a minimum of __% _________ (grape variety), the remainder being ______ (grape variety)
Red wines in Toro DO must be a minimum of 75% TINTO DE TORO, the remainder being GARNACHA
What grape varieties are permitted for rose production in Toro DO?
Tinta de Toro and Garnacha
What 2 white grapes are permitted in Toro DO?
Malvasia or Verdejo
What is rainfall like in Toro and is irrigation permitted
Low and irrigation is not permitted from June until harvest
What is the maximum permitted density in Toro DO?
2,700 vines per hectare (low density)
What kind of vine training is usual in Toro?
Bush vines
How is the low rainfall managed in Toro?
low density plantings, with a low number of bunches per vine.
What is the soil like in Toro DO and what does this mean?
Sandy soils, no phylloxera and many vines are ungrafted
What age are the vines in Toro?
Old. 1/5 over 50 years and some over 100 years old!
What factors mean Toro DO is capable of producing concentrated wines?
Warm growing season, intense sun, low yields
give a tasting note for a red wine from Toro DO?
Deep in colour, full bodied, high alcohol, high tannins, medium + to high acidity and ripe flavours of blackberry and blueberry.
Which sites in Toro would you pick to slow ripening?
Cooler sites providing slower ripening can be found at the higher altitude west of the region and by choosing north facing aspects
What is the maximum alcohol for red wines in Toro Do?
15% abv
Why might red wines in Toro undergo Carbonic Maceration?
For inexpensive to mid prices wines, to boost the fruity flavours and extract less tannins, to make an approachable, easy drinking style
What kind of oak would you expect to see in premium Toro reds?
American and French, or a mixture
Name 2 Toro producers known for their quality??
Teso La Monja and Numanthia
What is the key problem in the distribution of wines from Toro?
It is far away from any major cities or ports
Is the number of wineries in Toro increasing or decreasing?
increasing dramatically (from 8 wineries in 1998 to 50 today)
How many hL of Toro wine was sold in 2016?
96,000 hL
What was the first winery established in Ribera del Duero and when?
Vega Sicilia in the late 19th century
When did Ribera del Duero experience a planting boom?
1990s (around 9 wineries in 1982 but over 280 today)
When was the DO of Ribera del duero formed?
1982
Which wine’s popularity sparked a rise popularity of wines from Ribera del Duero?
Alejandro Fernandez’s Pesquera
Which big city is Ribera del Duero near?
Madrid
Where is Ribera del Duero?
The upper valley of the River Duero, Castilla y Leon, Spain
What altitude is Ribera del Duero?
High! 750-1000 m
What weather hazard is a problem in Ribera del Duero?
Frosts in both spring and autumn
What is done in the Ribera del Duero to combat frost?
Heaters, vine spraying with water and occasionally helicopters
Rainfall in Ribera del Duero?
relatively low at 400-600 mm
Is irrigation permitted in Ribera del Duero?
at certain times of the year, but not during the ripening period
In Ribera del Duero there are a range of altitudes and aspects, which area is higher and cooler?
The eastern side of the appellation
What is the main grape variety in Ribera del Duero?
Tinto Fino aka Termpranillo or Tinta del Pais
What other name does Tinta Fino go by?
Termpranillo
Why might a grower in Ribera del Duero use grapes from different sites?
The use of different sites with slight changes in climate or aspect can be useful in gaining balance, complexity and ensuring consistent yields.
How much of Ribera del Duero is planted to bush vines?
half
How old are the vines in general in the Ribera del Duero?
1/4 over 50, some 100+
What training system is used for newer vineyards in Ribera del Duero?
Trellises
The vast majority of growers in the Ribera del Duero have plots of what size?
Under 1 ha
What colour of wine is permitted in Ribera del Duero?
All, but white was only allowed from 2019
What white variety in Ribera del Duero must make up at least 75% of any blend?
Albillo Mayor
75% of any red blend made in Ribera del Duero must be which grape variety?
Tempranillo
Which grape varieties are permitted in red blends in the Ribera del Duero DO?
Tempranillo, Cab Sav, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha and Albillo (white- allowed for freshness but in practice rarely used)
Tasting note for a red wine from Ribera del Duero?
Full bodied
high alcohol
ripe flavours of blackberry and plum
vanilla and chocolate (new oak)
Which oak is used in Ribera del Duero?
French oak is popular, some wineries use a blend of French and American.
how much new oak would you expect to see in a quality Ribera del Duero red wine?
50-100% new oak
What is the general quality level in Ribera del Duero?
good to outstanding, mid priced to super premium
Name some significant producers from Ribera del Duero?
Vega Sicilia, Pesquera, Dominio de Pingus and Bodegas Aalto
Are the Consejo Regulador ageing categories used in Ribera del Duero?
Yes, but the majority is labeled without an ageing category specified
What % of wines from ribero del Duero are exported?
20%
Sales from Ribera del Duero DO in hL?
600,000-700,000 hL
What are the main export markets by volume for Ribera del Duero?
Switzerland, Mexico, USA, Germany, China
What colour wine is predominantly made in Rueda?
Almost all white
What style of wine was traditionally made in Rueda that has fallen out of fashion?
Oxidative fortified wines
Which Rioja based winery invested in Rueda in the 1970s?
Marques de Riscal
What style of winemaking is synonymous with Rueda DO?
Fresh, fruity white wines from Verdejo. Handled protectively and fermented in temp-controlled stainless steel.
What is the weather like in Rueda?
Hot, dry summers and cold winters, low rainfall
what is the average vineyard altitude in Rueda?
700-800 m
What is the soil like in Rueda?
Limestone bedrock, with a sandy clay sub layer, and then a topsoil of stones (sand in some places). Free draining, low in organic matter.
What is the key grape in Rueda?
Verdejo
Describe Verdejo
Drought tolerant med to med+ acidity med alcohol apple pear peach herbal note (fennel) slight bitterness on the finish
What international variety can be found in Rueda?
Sauvignon Blanc
New vineyards in Rueda must have what trellising?
VSP trellising
What is the ideal time to pick white grapes in Rueda?
Harvesting at night is desirable, allowing the grapes to be picked and transported at the coolest temperatures
Are there old vines in Rueda?
Yes, around 10% including some on sandy soils that predate Phylloxera
What kind of yeasts would you use in Rueda and why?
Cultured yeasts are used for their reliability and ability to promote the fruity flavours of the wines
General quality levels in Rueda?
Acceptable-very good
Would you expect to see lees agin in Rueda?
In mid priced wines (a few months to a year), with regular stirring.
Would you expect to see wines made in oak in Rueda?
In the most expensive wines (still usually mid-priced), wines are fermented and/or matured in oak.
Would you expect white wines in Rueda DO to have gone through Malo?
Generally avoided to retain acidity
Name some significant producers in Rueda DO?
Ossian and Bodega Belondrade y Lurton
To be varietally labeled, what % of the named grape must be in the wine in Rueda DO and how would this look on a label?
85% - DO Rueda-Verdejo or DO Rueda-Sauvignon Blanc
Which red grape is grown in Rueda?
Tempranillo
How much growth in production has occurred in Rueda in the last 20 years?
its quadrupled
Why does Rueda face lots of export competition?
Many regions and countries make fruity, crisp early drinking styles of white wines at an inexpensive price point
Is Rueda mainly exported or domestic sales?
Mainly domestic with around 7% exported to Netherlands, Germany, USA and Switzerland
Why might a Rioja producer want to have land in Rueda?
To add a white wine to their portfolio
What is a the Meseta Central?
A raised plateau in Castilla y Leon, Spain
Why might a producer use the Castilla y Leon VT?
It permits producers who are located outside the DO bounderies to make wines with a GI. It also allows producers within any DO boundaries to make wines in styles or from grape varieties not permitted ins their DO
