Spain: Central Flashcards
What is Europe’s largest demarcated wine region?
La Mancha DO in central Spain
La Mancha DO
extremely large winegrowing area in Castilla la Mancha, around 160,000 ha. much is used for distillation though.
blanco, rosado, tinto, VDN from dried grapes, Vino de Aguja, Espumante
Airen, Cencibel (Tempranillo)
Almansa, Méntrida, and Ribera del Júcar were once part of La Mancha, and are now their own DOs
describe vineyards of La Mancha
vines are head trained, and planted in “marco real” system- 2.5 meters between each vine, to reduce water consumption.
Valdepeñas DO
La Mancha. “valley of rocks.” gained popularity when a railway was constructed linking the region with Madrid, and the French phylloxera crisis. best grapes from Los Llanos (literally “the flats”) western sector, or in the north on the sloped plantings of Las Aberturas (meaning “the passes”).
Jabalon River
chalk bedrock with bands of red clay. The high lime content helps with good moisture retention – vital in these hot and dry conditions, where 2,500 hours of scorching sunshine a year are standard.
Airen, Cencibel (Tempranillo)
aloques
or claretes- light bodied red wines, like clairet of bordeaux. was traditional in Valdepeñs, made from predominantly Tempranillo
Valdepeñas soil type? Why is it relevant?
chalk bedrock- water retention important in the dry environment of La Mancha
What was the first DO Pago? Where is it?
Dominio de Valdepusa, Toledo, Castilla la Mancha. Marques de Griñon
Finca Elez, Castilla la Mancha. Manuel Manzaneque
both in 2002
List the DOs of Castilla la Mancha
La Mancha
Mentrida
Almansa
Manchuela
Ribera del Jucar
Valdepeñas
Uclés
Mondéjar
Vinos de Madrid
List the DO of the Extremadura, and its subzones
Ribera del Guadiana
subzones: Tierra de Barros- important
Ribera Alta de Guadiana
Ribera Baja de Guadiana
Matanegra
Cañamero
Montánchez
Mountains to the north of Madrid
Sierra de Guadarrama
Madrid DO
subzones: Arganda, Navalcarnero, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, El Molar
Blanco, Rosado
Tinto: min. 85% auth: Tinto Fino, Garnacha Tinta, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
Vino Espumoso (blanco/rosado): only Albillo, Torrontés, Viura, Garnacha Tinta, Tinto Fino, Parellada, and Malvar are authorized, traditional method, min. 9 months on the lees
Sobremadre (blanco/tinto): traditional wines produced by long maceration (skin contact for up to 180 days)
Madrid grapes by subzone
Arganda: Malvar, Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)
Navalcarnero: Malvar, Garnacha Tinta
San Martín de Valdeiglesias: Albillo Real, Garnacha Tinta
El Molar: Malvar, Garnacha Tinta (newest)
Arganda
subzone of Madrid DO. largest in size and production. SE of the city, varied soils, some pockets of limestone
only subzone that features Tempranillo over Garnacha
mountains to the west of Madrid
Sierra de Gredos
sobremadre
traditional wines produced by long maceration (skin contact for up to 180 days). red and white (effectively orange)
Madrid
