Spain: The Growing Environment and Grape Growing

Question 1

Spain: Climate Overall

Answer 1

• 36-43 degrees N
• warm overall , extensive coastline and mountain ranges, a raised plateau ( the meseta)

In the NORTH :
influenced by the Atlantic, maritime climate
High Rainfall
Sheltered by the mountains and some Continetal areas in the N and NE / also some Mediterranean influence

In the SOUTH East :
faces directly on the Mediterrean
Moderated climate with warm dry summers and mild winters

MESETA: Inland , continetntal
Hot days and cool nigthts
600-900m helps to moderate the heat

Question 2

Spain: Vineyard Management

Answer 2

• largest vineyard plantings in the world - 964,000ha
  -only the 3rd largest producder by volume behind Italy and France
• bush vines at low density is the norm = very good fruit , lower yields , very concentrated
  -La Mancha - largest DO - vines are planted as low as 1,000 vines per ha
  -favoured due to climate , low annual rainfall ( 300mm avg.) means the vines do not need to compete for soil water
  -1996 -legalised irrigation - still controlled by the Consejo Regulador -mostly only for new baby vines and during droughts / cannot be used during ripening period

Hazards: heavy rain storms, risk of mildew , spring frost in the contiental areas, grapevine moth ( managed by pheremone traps )

Phyloxera restistant rootstocks planted in the 20th century
Sandy soils eg. Toro and Rueda, were unaffected and have very old ungrafted vines

Organic is common but uncertified as growers unwilling to pay for organic wines at a premium

Small family vineyard holdigs - 68% less than 0.5ha - 20% between 0.5 and 3ha
Mostly handppicked

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Question 3

Spain: Grape Varieties

Answer 3

1. 1.Tempranillo - Rioja
2. 2. Airen - Castilla Le Mancha
3. 3. Garnacha Tinta
4. 4.Macabeo - Catalunya
5. 5.Bobal - Utiel-Requena Valencia and Murica
6. 6.Garnacha Tintorera
7. 7.Monastrell - Valencia and Murcia
8. 8.Verdejo - Castilla y Leon / Rueda DO
9. 9.Pardina - brandy industry
10. 10. Cab Sauv

Question 4

Spain: Tempranillo

Answer 4

• inexpensive to super premium
• associated with Rioja
  -Medium to high yields
  -early ripening ,better in warm climates wth some wind or altitude
  -see regions

Question 5

Spain: Airen

Answer 5

• white mainly planted in Castilla -La Mancha
  -high volume inexpensive , neutral wines for Brandy de Jerez

Question 6

Spain: Garnacha Tinta / Tintorera

Answer 6

• see The Rhone Valley
  -Tintorera is aka Alicante Bouschet

Question 7

Sapin: Macabeo

Answer 7

• Catalunya
  -used in Cava
  -main white variety in Rioja ( called Viura )
  -can be inexpensive or aged in oak for prem -wines