Spain: Galicia and Castilla y Leon Flashcards

1
Q

Who was Manuel Quintano y Quintano? What did he do?

A

Holy guy in Rioja, late 18th century

Travelled to Bordeaux, brought back winemaking expertise and barriques

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2
Q

Which two noble Spaniards sought refuge in Bordeaux during Spanish civil wars?

A

Marques de Murrieta

Marques de Riscal

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3
Q

First Spanish region for a Consejo Regulador?

A

Rioja, 1926

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4
Q

Spain returned to a constitutional monarchy and democratic rule when?

A

mid 1970s

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5
Q

Spanish climate

A

Generally it’s warm but with extensive coastline, mountain ranges and large raised plateau,there are different climates.

north-west: maritime
south and east: metierannean, warm
meseta: continental

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6
Q

Climate in north-west Spain (eg Rias Baixas)

A

Influenced by Atlantic -> maritime

High rain

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7
Q

South and east of Spain: climate

A

directly face Mediterannean

Moderate Mediterannean climate with warm, dry summers, mild winters

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8
Q

Meseta is at what altitude?

A

600-900m

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9
Q

Climate of meseta in Spain?

A

continental
hot days, cool nights
heat moderated by altitude

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10
Q

What is the meseta?

A

Large raised plateau in Spain

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11
Q

Land under vine in Spain?

A

969,000ha

largest plantings in the world

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12
Q

Spain has largest plantings in the world (969,000ha). Is it the largest producer of wine by volume?

A

No, behind Italya dn Farnce

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13
Q

Five-year average volume production in Spain

A

39 million hectolitres

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14
Q

Spain has largest land under vine but is not largest volume producer. Why?

A

Lots of bush vines at low density, 1,000 vines per hectare = low yields

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15
Q

Mildew is a risk in Spain. Why?

A

Rain can fall in heavy storms
Rising temperatures after
Humidity and mildew

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16
Q

Regions in Spain that weren’t affected by phylloxera? So what?

A

Toro and Rueda

They have some very old, undrafted vines

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17
Q

Is average vineyard holding high or low in Spain?

A

Average is very small

66% of vineyards are less than 0.5ha

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18
Q

Account for low level of mechanisation in Spain, despite better understanding of vineyard management?

A

Average vineyard holding is very small

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19
Q

Most planted grape in Spain?

A

Airen

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20
Q

Most planted white grape and most planted black grape in Spain?

A

Airen

Tempranillo

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21
Q

Where is Airen mostly planted in Spain? For what?

A

Centre of Spain, Castilla-La Mancha

Inexpensive neutral whites, and Brandy de Jerez

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22
Q

Account for Tempranillo’s popularity among growers?

A

Medium to high yields, depending on the site

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23
Q

Tempranillo is early ripening. So what?

A

Makes it finest wines in warm climates w/ cooling influence (altitude, wind)

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24
Q

Garnacha Tintorera aka

A

Alicante Bouschet

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25
Q

Macabeo planted mostly where in Spain, and used for what styles?

A

Catalunya
Still wines for early consumption
Main component in white Rioja (called Viura)
Cava

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26
Q

Viura aka

A

Macabeo

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27
Q

Macabeo aka

A

Viura

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28
Q

Monastrell aka

A

Mourvedre

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29
Q

Monastrell grown mostly in which two Spanish regions

A

Valencia

Murcia

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30
Q

Why is Monastrell suitable for warm Mediterannean climate (eg Valencia)

A

Late ripening

Needs hate late in the growing season to fully ripen

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31
Q

Last 40 years in Spain have seen the rise in popularity of what style(s), made how?

A
Youthful, fruity red, white and rose
Protective winemaking
Stainless steel, temperature control
Inert gases
Cultured yeasts
Some young reds: carbonic and semi-carbonic
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32
Q

Spanish government sets out rules for ageing times (Reserva, Gran Reserva etc). And what?

A

Individual DOs may be stricter, but cannot specify lower minimum ageing
National rules: max capacity 330L, but individual DOs can do differently

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33
Q

Spanish NATIONAL rules for Crianza ageing

A

RED WINES
24 months, 6 in barrel

WHITE AND ROSE
18 months, 6 in barrel

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34
Q

Spanish NATIONAL rules for Reserva ageing

A

RED WINES
36 months, 12 in barrel

WHITE AND ROSE
24 months, 6 in barrel

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35
Q

Spanish NATIONAL rules for Gran Reserva ageing

A

RED WINES
60 months, 18 in barrel

WHITE AND ROSE
48 months, 6 in barrel

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36
Q

Criticisms against Spanish national rules for ageing?

A
  • too prescriptive
  • not prescriptive enough
  • doesn’t reflect quality, just ageing
  • age and quality of oak not mandated
  • give little indication of style
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37
Q

What is “roble”?

A

Spanish for “oak”

labelling term increasingly used to indicate some (unspecified) oak ageing - usually less than for Crianza

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38
Q

Why do many Spanish regions traditionally uses American oak?

A

Strong trading relationships

Cheaper than French oak

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39
Q

French oak increasingly found in which Spanish regions?

A

Penedes
Priorat
Ribera del Duero

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40
Q

Spanish rosés traditionally what sort of colour? And what are they like now?

A

Traditionally deep colour
Now: paler, Provencal trend

but some producers still make deep ones with long skin contact (Lopez de Heredia)

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41
Q

Traditional producers e.g. Lopez de Heredia make their rose how?

A

Black and white grapes (mainly black)
Macerated (sometimes continuing into the fermentation), pressed and fermented together
Mature in oak for a long time -> lose fruit flavour, gain texture, complexity, secondary and tertiary

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42
Q

How many DOs in Spain?

A

70

making up the vast majority of vineyard plantings

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43
Q

Name Spain’s two DOCas

A

Rioja

Priorat

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44
Q

What is DOCa

A

Denominacion de Origen Calificada (aka DOQ, Catalan term)
To apply for this status, DO must be established for min 10 years
All wines bottled at producer’s own property
DO must have rules and regulations

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45
Q

Are DOCa and DOQ the same thing?

A

Yes, DOQ is the Catalan spelling

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46
Q

What is VP?

A

Vino de Pago
Small number of single estates in Spain with high reputations, mostly in Castilla-La Mancha

Approved estates use only their own grapes
Vinified and matured at the estate
Also within PDO category

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47
Q

Vino de Pago vs Grandes Pagos de Espana

A

two different things!
Vino de Pago (VP) = single estates with high reputations

Grandes Pagos de Espana = association of prestigious estates (some of which are VPs)

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48
Q

Spanish term for PGI?

A

VT

Vino de la Tierra

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49
Q

What is VT?

A

Vino de la Tierra

Spanish PGI category

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50
Q

How many VTs are there in Spain? What is the largest?

A

40 VTs

Largest: Castilla

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51
Q

Is bottling within the region mandatory for Spanish PDOs?

A

Mostly yes: Rioja and Priorat (DOCa) and most DOs

Some exceptions eg La Mancha => can ship in bulk

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52
Q

Are co-ops important in Spain? Why is that the case?

A

Yes, many regions are dominated by coops
Spain has many producers with tiny landholdings
Negociants also important

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53
Q

Largest wine producers (still, non-fortified) in Spain?

A
J. Garcia Carrion
Felix Solis Avantis
Pernod Ricard (Campo Viejo)
Miguel Torres
Bodegas Martin Codax
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54
Q

Spain is the world’s largest exporter of wine. T/F

A

True!

21 million hL in 2018

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55
Q

Spain is largest exporter of wine in the world, but what’s the catch?

A

Average price per litre is lowest of any major exporting country
(under half that of Italy; one fifth of France)

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56
Q

Bulk wine accounts for what % of Spain’s exports?

A

56% of total exports

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57
Q

Most Spanish exports (56%) are in bulk. So what?

A

Lower selling price than bottled wine

Some value within supply chain going to foreign bottler (eg Kingsland, UK) rather than domestic producer

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58
Q

Main export markets (volume) for Spain?

A

France
Germany
Important markets for inexpensive wine

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59
Q

Largest DO in Galicia?

A

Rias Baixas

4,000ha

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60
Q

How many growers in Rias Baixas?

A

5,500 growers

4,000ha

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61
Q

How many wineries in Rias Baixas

A

170
small to very large, dominated by co-ops
Martin Codax the biggest

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62
Q

What happened in Rias Baixas after phylloxera?

A

Vines replatned with hybrids and Palomino (!), which was high yielding

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63
Q

Climate in Rias Baixas

A

Maritime
Most westerly DO in Spain, bordering the Atlantic
Atlantic moderates temperatures: warm summers, mild winters
High rainfall 1,700mm

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64
Q

There’s a lot of rain in Rias Baixas. Mitigated by what?

A

Free draining soils (sand over granite bedrock)

Ensure the roots aren’t sitting in water

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65
Q

Albarino is what % of Rias Baixas production?

A

95%

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66
Q

Why is Albarino well suited to damp climate in Rias Baixas?

A
Thick skins (less prone to rot)
Early to mid-ripening - can ripen fully most years
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67
Q

Albarino style

A

High acid
Medium (-) or medium body
Medium alcohol
Apple, lemon, grapefruit, peach, floral

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68
Q

Other grapes blended with Albarino in Rias Baixas?

A

Loureira
Treixadeura
Caino Blanco

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69
Q

Oldest subzone in Rias Baixas? (with most plantings and wineries)

A

Val do Salnés

70
Q

What is Val do Salnés

A

Subzone of Rias Baixas
Oldest, most plantings, most wineries
Directly on the coast => coolest, wettest area
Highest acid

71
Q

Five subzones of Rias Baixas?

A
Val do Salnés
O Rosal
Concado do Tea
Ribeira do Ulla
Soutomaior
72
Q

What is O Rosal

A

Subzone of Rias Baixas
Along the River Mino
Border with Portugal/Vino Verdhe: blends including Albarino, Loureira, Treixadura and Caino Blanco

73
Q

Rias Baixas white wines: general style

A

high acid
Medium (-) or medium body
medium alcohol
peach, melon, lemon

74
Q

Quality producers in Rias Baixas

A

Pazo de Senorans

Palacio de Fefinanes

75
Q

Name for pergola in Rias Baixas

A

Parral

76
Q

What is parral?

A

Name for pergola training system in Rias Baixas

77
Q

Why was parral/pergola popular in Rias Baixas, traditionally? What’s an additional benefit

A

Allow the growth of other crops underneath

Benefit: when trained high, promotes air circulation, reducing fungal risk

78
Q

There’s a lot of VSP in Rias Baixas now. Why?

A

Allows for mechanisation

79
Q

Winemaking in Rias Baixas is generally protective. Why? What does that involve?

A

Protect primary fresh fruit

Cool ferment steel

80
Q

Sobre lins

A

On lees (Rias Baixas)

81
Q

Typical time sobre lins/on lees for expensive Rias Baixas?

A

1-2 years
Some for longer
Usually not stirred (could introduce oxygen)

82
Q

What % of Rias Baixas sales are exports?

A

25%
75% domestic, but exports growing
USA biggest market, then UK

83
Q

Where is Ribeiro DO? What’s the climate and what grows there?

A

Galicia, Spain
Maritime climate
White wines from Treixadura

84
Q

Where is Riberia Sacra DO? What’s the climate, what grows there?

A
Galicia, Spain
River Mino
Further inland than Rias Baixas and Ribero
Mainly continental climate
Red wines eg Mencia
85
Q

Mencia style (Ribeira Sacra DO)

A

Red cherry and raspberry
Medium body
Medium tannin
Medium (+) acid

86
Q

Where is Valdeorras DO? What’s the climate? WHat grows there?

A

Galicia, Spain
Most esaterly Galician DO
Continental climate
Godello and Mencia

87
Q

Godello from Valdeorras DO: style

A

Citrus and stone fruit
Herbal and wet stone
Medium (+) acid
Premium in oak, texture, toasty spice

88
Q

Where is Monterrei DO?

A

Galicia, Spain

south of Ribeira Sacra DO

89
Q

Other than Rias Baixas, name a few Galician DOs

A

Ribeiro DO
Ribeira Sacra DO
Valdeorras DO
Monterrei DO

90
Q

Castilla y Leon VT falls within what autonomous community of Spain?

A

Castilla y Leon

91
Q

Climate in Castilla y Leon

A

Continental

Mountains

92
Q

Key producer pushing quality in Bierzo DO?

A

Alvaro Palacios (and Ricardo Perez)

93
Q

Account for Palacios’ interest in Bierzo DO?

A

Slate slopes, like Priorat

1990s

94
Q

Key black grape in Bierzo DO?

A

Mencia

95
Q

Mencia accounts for what % of plantings in Bierzo DO?

A

75%

96
Q

When does Mencia ripen. So what?

A

Early to mid-ripening
Can lose its characteristic medium (+) to high acid, quickly accumulate sugar
=> high alcohol wines if picked too late

97
Q

Mencia must be what % of blend of red wine in Bierzo DO?

A

Min 70%
Alicante Bouschet also (but only 2% of planting)
in practice, many are 100% Mencia

98
Q

What is Alicante Bouschet?

A

Red-fleshed variety
gives deep colour
red anc black berry fruit
grown in Castilla la Mancha, Galicia and Bierzo

99
Q

Where are the best vineyards in Bierzo DO? Why?

A
Hillside slopes 500-850m
Good drainage
Shallow, poor slate soils
Limited vigour
Altitude a cooling influence => slow sugar accumulation, retain acid while tannin develops
100
Q

Why are bush vines common in Bierzo?

A

Steepness of slopes
Age of some vineyards
Old vines
80% of vines in Bierzo over 60 years old

101
Q

Why are average yields low in Bierzo?

A

Old vines (80% over 60 years old)
Poor soils
Bush vines

102
Q

Inexpensive and mid-priced Bierzo comes from where?

A

Flat plain and lower slopes
Fertile silty loam soils
High yields

103
Q

How is inexpensive Bierzo made?

A

From fertile soils (plain and low slopes_
Carbonic or semi-carbonic
unoaked

104
Q

Best Bierzo comes from slopes. Style?

A
More concenrated than those from plain
Medium to medium (+) body, tannins
High alcohol
RIpe red cherry, plum
Floral, herbal
Oak, spice
105
Q

Top producers in Bierzo

A

Descendientes de J. Palacios

Raul Perez

106
Q

Land under vine in Bierzo DO

A

3,000ha

107
Q

How many growers in Bierzo DO?

A

2000 growers
just 3,000 ha of vines
lots of small plots

108
Q

Why is machine harvesting rare in Bierzo?

A

2,000 growers and 3,000 ha => small plots, no economies of sclae

109
Q

How significant are co-ops in Bierzo DO?

A

Very

Around 50% of growers associated with a co-op

110
Q

How many wineries in Bierzo DO?

A

75 wineries

2,000 growers; 3,000 ha under vine

111
Q

Where is Toro DO located?

A

in the west of Castilla y Leon

112
Q

What river runs through Toro?

A

River Duero

113
Q

Climate in Toro DO

A

Continental
Hot summer
cold winter

114
Q

Why does Toro have a high diurnal range. So what?

A

Continental climate
altitude (620-750m)
Cool nights retain acidity
But frost can be a problem

115
Q

What is Tinta de Toro?

A

Main grape in Toro DO
Might be Tempranillo (no concensus)
thicker skins that Tempranillo elsewhere

116
Q

Why do Toro wines have greater colour and higher tannin than other Tempranillo wines in Spain?

A

Thicker skins!

117
Q

Are Tinta de Toro and Tempranillo the same thing?

A

Unlcear
Some say yes, some say no
TdT has thicker skins

118
Q

Red wines in Toro DO need to be what % of Tinta de Toro minimum?

A

75%

119
Q

Rosé wines in Toro DO: grape(s)

A

Tinta de Toro

Garnacha

120
Q

White wines in Toro DO: grape(s)

A

Malvasia

Verdejo

121
Q

Toro: rainfall is low and irrigation not allowed. How do growers manage?

A

Plant at low density
Low number of bunches per vine
Max permitted density is low - 2,700 v/ha
Bush vines mostly

122
Q

Sandy soils in Toro. So what?

A

Phylloxera not an issue - some vines on their roots

Lots of old vines, some up to 100 yo

123
Q

Vine density in Toro DO?

A

Low

Max density 2,700 v/ha

124
Q

Account for Toro’s high alcohol, tannin, ripe flavours, full body and deep colour

A

Warm growing season
Intense sun
Low yields

125
Q

Cooling influences important in Toro to retain acidity. How can site selection impact this?

A
Cooler sites (slower ripening) found at higher altitude
North-facing aspects are cooler
126
Q

Max alcohol for Toro DO?

A

15% (reds)

Lower for whites and rosés

127
Q

High-end producers in Toro DO

A

Numanthia

Teso La Monja

128
Q

For oaked, premium Toro: American or French oak?

A

either/both

129
Q

How has popularity of Ribera del Duero impacted Toro?

A

Toro DO has a long tradition, but location away from cities/ports limited its success
Popularity of RdD (and rising land prices) => investors look to its nearby neighbour, Toro
20 wineries in 1998; 50 wineries today

130
Q

First winery established in Ribera del Duero

A

Vega Sicilia

late 19th century

131
Q

How many wineries in Ribera del Duero when it became a DO in 1982? How many today?

A

nine wineries in 1982

280 today

132
Q

Significance of Pesquera

A

Alejandro Fernandez
Wines won international acclaim 1980s
Local producers inspired to bottle their own wine rather than sell to co-ops

133
Q

Impact of frost in ribera del Duero

A

big problem
Spring and autumn
Limit the time grapes can be on vine
Serious loss of yield

134
Q

How is frost combatted in Ribera del Duero?

A

Heaters
Vine spraying with water
Helicopters

135
Q

Rainfall is relatively low in Ribera del Duero. Can irrigation be used?

A

Yes at certain times of the year

Not during ripening

136
Q

Name for Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero?

A
Tinto Fino
(aka Tinta del Pais)
137
Q

How does natural environment in Ribera del Duero give some complexity and balance?

A

Use of different sites
Slight changes in climate or aspect
Gain balance, complexity and ensure consistent yield

138
Q

What % of Ribera del Duero is bush vines?

A

Around half

Newer vineyards planted on trellises now

139
Q

Are there old vines in Ribera del Duero?

A

Yes
25% are over 50 years old
Some over 100 years old

140
Q

Average holding in Ribera del Duero?

A

1ha

141
Q

What is Tinto Fino?

A

Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero

aka Tinta del Pais

142
Q

Tinto Fino aka Tempranillo aka….

A

Tinta del Pais

143
Q

What colour wine(s) can be made in Ribera del Duero DO?

A

Red, rosé and white

previously only red and rose

144
Q

White Ribera del Duero DO must be 75% what grape?

A

Albillo Mayor

145
Q

Red Ribera del Duero DO: blend

A

Min 75% Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)
also: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha, Albillo (white)

In reality: many 100% Tempranillo

146
Q

Red Ribera del Duero DO style

A

Full bodied
High alcohol
Ripe blackberry, plum, vanilla, chocolate

147
Q

French or American oak in Ribera del Duero?

A

French is popular

Can be a blend of the two though

148
Q

Use of new oak in Ribera del Duero?

A

Can be 50-100% for high-end wiens

149
Q

Ribera del Duero has seen a trend towards less extractive winemaking. So what?

A

Less time on skins after fermentation
Less new oak
Fresher style

150
Q

Producers in Ribera del Duero

A

Dominio de Pingus

Bodegas Aalto

151
Q

What % of Ribera del Duero is exported? To where?

A

20%

Switzerland, Mexico, USA, Germany, China

152
Q

Rueda traditionally made oxidative fortified whites. What producer recognised potential for Verdejo to be made in fresh, fruity style?

A

Marques de Riscal
early 1970s
Their investment was transformative

153
Q

Climate in Rueda

A

Similar to Toro and Ribera del Duero
Hot, dry summers
Cold winters
Low rainfall

154
Q

Altitude in Rueda is 700-800m. So what?

A

Cool nights retain acidity in grapes

155
Q

Limestone and clay soils in Rueda. So what?

A

Bedrock of limestone. Sandy clay sub-layer and topsoil of stones and sand.

=> free draining and low in organic matter. REDUCES VIGOUR

156
Q

Key grape in Rueda?

A

Verdejo

157
Q

Verdejo well suited to warm, dry Rueda. Why?

A

Relatively drought resistant

Withstand the lack of rainfall

158
Q

Verdejo style

A
Medium to medium (+) acid
Medium alcohol
Apple, pear, peach
Herbal (fennel)
Bitterness on finish
159
Q

Second most important grape in Rueda (after Verdejo)

A

Sauvignon Blanc

160
Q

Most expensive Rueda in a producer’s range may be what style, made how?

A
Fermented and/or matured in oak
More body and texture
Aromatic complexity: toasty, smoke
Malo avoided = retain acidity
producers: Ossian and Bodega Belontrade y Lurton
161
Q

Rueda DO: to be labelled with grape (Verdejo, Sauvignon), need to have what % of that grape

A

85%

commonly 100%

162
Q

Many producers label wines as DO Rueda when they could qualify as eg DO Rueda Verdejo (because of min 85% Verdejo). Why?

A

Producers use it to denote their least expensive wine

163
Q

Is Rueda white only?

A

No, small amount of red and rosé (Tempranillo)

competition from Toro adn Riebra del Duero v high

164
Q

Development of land under vine in Rueda recently?

A

Vineyard has expanded, production quadrupled from 2000-2019

165
Q

Producers from outside Rueda make a lot of Rueda. How much is made by local producers vs outsiders (eg Rioja producers)

A

60% from local producers

40% from outsiders, eg a Rioja producer who wants a white Rueda in their portfolio

166
Q

Sales trend for Rueda?

A

Increased substantially

7x growth in sales value from 1997-2016

167
Q

Where is Castilla y Leon VT located?

A

northern part of the meseta, protected from Atlantic influence

168
Q

Climate in Castilla y Leon VT

A

Continental

169
Q

What wines can be made in Castilla y Leon VT

A

Loads

Many grape varieties, local and international

170
Q

Land under vine in Castilla y Leon VT

A

It’s a very big area covering lots of other DOs
BUT actual plantings for VT wines is quite low : 9,000ha

(vs. 63,000ha of DO vineyards within its boundaries)