Spain: Galicia Flashcards
Where is Galicia?
NW Spain
Name the DOs within Galicia
Rias Baixas DO, Ribeiro DO, Ribeira Sacra DO, Valdeorras DO, Monterrei DO
What is the largest DO in Galicia?
Rias Baixas DO
What is the production in hL per year in Galicia?
250,000 hL
How many hectares are planted in Galicia?
4000 ha
Name the largest co-op in the Rias Baixas
Bodegas Martin Codax
After phylloxera what was planted in the Rias Baixas?
Hybrid varieties and high-yielding Palomino vines
What happened in the 70s-80s that led to improvements in the quality of wine in the Rias Baixas?
Incentives to grow indigenous varieties and modernise winery equipment
What ocean borders the Rias Baixas?
The Atlantic
How does the Atlantic Ocean effect the climate in Rias Baixas?
Moderates annual temperatures, giving warm summers and mild winter
Average rainfall in the Rias Baixas?
High- 1700 mm
How does the rainfall in Rias Baixas impact the wines?
Fungal disease, rain at harvest is a hazard - can impact vintage variation
What is the soil in Spain’s Rias Baixas?
Sand over Granite bedrock (free draining)
95% of the wine production in Rias Baixas is from the ________ grape
Albarino
How thick/thin is the skin on Albarino and how is this useful?
Thick, less prone to damage from rot. Suitable to damp climate.
albarino is ________ ripening
early-mid
Describe the style of Albarino in the Rias Baixas
High acidity, medium- or medium body, medium alcohol and aromas and flavours of apple, lemon, grapefruit and peach, sometimes with a floral note.
What other grape varieties are permitted to be blended with Albarino in the Rias Baixas?
Loureira, Treinadora and Canino Blanco
What red grapes are planted in rias Baixas?
Souson (same as Vinhao in Portugal), Caino Tinto
Reds make up what percentage of production in Rias Baixas?
1%
How many subzones are there in Rias Baixas?
5
what is unusual about the sub zones in the Rias Baixas?
They are non-contiguous (not touching)
What is the oldest sub zone in Rias Baixas?
Val do Salnes
Where would you find wines with the highest acidity in Rias Baixas?
in Val do Salnes, which is located directly on the coast and therefore the coolest and wettest area
What style of wine would you expect to find in the Rias Baixas sub zone O Rosal?
Albarino blends with Loureira, Treixadura and Caino Blanco (due to its position on the Portuguese border/ Vinho Verde border)
What river does the sub zone of O Rosal (within the Rias Baixas Do) lie along
River Mino
Name the 5 sub zones in Rias Baixas
Val do Salnes, O Rosal, Condado do tea, Ribeira do Ulla and Soutomaior
What trellising system is used in Rias Baixas and why is it used?
Pergola system (here called parral) often using granite stone supports. Traditionally used to allow the growth of agricultural crops underneath. When trained high, promotes air circulation under the canopy. VSP for mechanisation used by bigger growers
Why might white grapes be macerated pre fermentation in Rias Baixas?
To enhance intensity of flavour and provide greater texture
Malo in the Rias Baixas whites?
Partial malo in cool years to reduce magic acidity rather than to introduce overtly buttery notes
What lees treatment would you expect in the Rias Baixas for top end wines?
stored on lees for 1-2 years but without stirring (or only occasionally) so as to not introduce oxygen.
What fermentation vessels would you expect to see in Rias Baixas?
Stainless steel mainly, with a few producers using oak for their top wines (anywhere from large, old oak to new oak)
How much of the wine in Rias Baixas is exported?
a quater
What are the biggest export markets for Rias Baixas?
USA, then UK
what is the most westerly region in Galicia?
Ribeiro DO
What is the most planted grape in Ribeiro DO?
Treixadura
What colour wine production do you mainly see in Ribeiro DO?
White
Which 2 rivers meet by Ribeira Sacra?
The river Mino and the river Sil
is the Ribeira sacra continental or maritime?
Mainly continental but can have maritime influence depending on site exposure
What is the landscape of Ribeira Sacra?
Precipitous, deep valleys at various altitudes and aspects
What is the most important grape variety. in Ribeira Sacra?
Mencia
How do the stoney slopes of Ribeira Sacra impact the wine/winemaking?
Good drainage and conduct heat during the day, but make viticulture extremely labour intensive
Describe the style of wine made in Ribeira Sacra
Red cherry, raspberry, medium body and tannins, medium + acidity. Mid priced and made in a fresh, early drinking style
What is the rainfall like in Valdeorras DO?
700-1000 mm
What is the climate in Valdeorras?
Continental
At what altitude are the vineyards in Valdeorras DO?
- m
What grape variety is most planted in Valdeorras?
Godello
What is the soil like in Valdeorras?
‘diverse’
Describe the style of wine made from Godello in Valdeorras
Citrus, stone fruit, sometimes herbal/wet stone. character. M+ acidity. Premium versions often fermented/matured in oak lending texture and a toasty, spicy complexity
What is the most important black variety in Valedorras DO?
Mencia
Where is Monterrei DO?
NW Spain- Galicia. South. of Ribeira Sacra, on the border of Portugal
Monterrei DO is sheltered from ocean influence by which mountain range?
Sierra de Larouca
Describe the climate in Monterrei DO?
Continental climate with hot summers and relatively low rainfall
What wine styles would you expect to find in Monterrei DO?
Mainly inexpensive wine sold in bulk, some good quality Mencia (in a riper style than Ribeira Sacra) and some fruity Godello
