Spain: Valencia and Murcia Flashcards
Valencia DO : General
- 13,000 ha under vine
-split into two areas
-WArm, Mediterranean climate with cooling from the coast and the mountains
-Rainfall is 450mm , irrigation is widely used
**Alto Turia - subzone - southern foothills of Sistema Iberico Mountains
known for whites from Moscatel and Merseguera
Merseguera - high vigour , low intesntiy aromas and is often blended
Dry farmed vines at high altitudes in VP El Terrerazo show more concentration and texture
**Valentino subzone
200-650m , cooled by sea breezes
Local and international Granacha Tintorera ( Alicante Bouschet )
and Tempranillo, Cab SAuv, Monastrell for red and rose and Mersguera and Macabeo for whites
**Clariano Subzone -
concentrates on sweet wine production of Moscatel de Valencia and ‘vino de licor’ ( unfermetned grape must fortified with grape spirit )
The Vast majoirty of wines 85% are made by local co-ops in a light fruity style
Acceptabel to good and inexpensive
Smaller estates are making good to very good wines that are mid priced with little grown local varieties that hava point of difference
Utiel- Requena DO : General
N part of Valencia DO - bordering La Mancha
750m avg , risk of spring frost
450mm low rainfall
87% black including BOBAL at 70% of plantings
Many vines over 40yrs old
Sutied to the region :
Mid-late budding , very drought toleratn and ability to retain acid in hot weather
Can ripen unevenly and lack of ripeness results in grippy tannins
Vigorous , high yielding unless managed
Used for its high levels of colour in inexpensive blends that lack concentration
Best know for rose wines due to its high acid and fruity nature
Wines are light bodied, medium tannins often made by carb mac — to Concentrated wines with Medium plus tannins, medium to full body, hihg acid and blackberry, cherry and notes of chocolate
Old vine fruit is used and aged in oak
Acceptable to good and inxpensive to mid priced
2/3 exported in 2021
Alicante DO : General
-located near the city of Alicante
smallest DO with 9,000ha under vie
-neighbour Jumilla and Yecla may label DO Alicante
Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters
Very dry 250mm
Main center is the zone of Vinalopo which stretches from the coast to inland at 500m neart the Sierra de Salinas
**MONASTRELL **
75% of plantings
drough tolerant, late ripening and able to hold acidity
Low density bush vines
In the North, on the coast , the Marina Alta get hhumid breezes and rainfall of 500mm
Moscatel de Alexandria is the main grape
Red wines labelled Alicante DO must contain 80% Monastrell
Other blending wines incl. Alicante Boouschet, Garnacha and Bobal
American Oak is common
Fresher fruit with lower alcohol is desired
Good to very good and mid priced
Alicante DO : Fondillon
-historic wine style protectd by the DO
-Medium sweet red wine with max. 40g/L of RS made from late harvested Monastrell
Possible by low rainfall in the autumn
Min abv is 16% and should come soley from the grapes with no fortification allowed
Must be matured in oak for min. 10 years , in tradtional old oak vessels of 1,200L
Wines can be ‘anada’ - vintage
or by the solera system , blending older and younger wines
Wines are oxidise and show dried fruit and nuts
Jumilla DO : General
- located on the flat plains and wide valleys between Alicante and La Mancha
- Warm, continental cclimate with hot summers and cold winters
- 400-800m - cooling influence and large diuranl range
- 25,000 ha of plantings
Ranifall 250-300 mm - low
SOIL : sand over a layer of Limestone , which aids in water retention
**MONASTRELL - 70% of all plantings
due to its resttant to drought and extreme heat
During the 20th century, Jumilla was know for bulk wine production
1989 led to a phylloxera outbreak and many vines were grubbed up ( still some old vines that produce low yields )
New -high quality clones of Monastrell and imporved vineyard and winemaking techniques has led to improvement of quality
Wines are generally full bodied with high alcohol and ripe blackberry and cherry /spice from oak balanced with medium plus acidity
Also, Cencibel aka Tempranillo
Garnacha Tintorera aka Alicante Bouschet
Garnacha, Cab Sauv, merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot
BLended to lower the tannins in Monstrell
- 2,00 grpae growers and 40 aineries inc. co-ops
- known for high volumes of inexpensive wines although there are some producers making very good wines eg. Casa Castillo and are sold on the export market
Yecla DO : General
- 6,000 under vine
- between Jumilla and Alicante
- Mediterranean climate
- Vineyards at 500-900m helps cool
- Low rain at 300mm
SOILS - sand over limestone
MONASTRELL - very siliar to Jumilla and are good to very good and inexpensive to mid price
Co-op La Purisima is responsible for 60% of the output
95% of production is exported
