Spain - Valencia DO and Murcia Flashcards
Where is Valencia
In the Levante - the region on the Mediterranean coast, south of Catalunya. Trade is centred around the Port of Valencia = distribution hub
What types of wines does Valencia produce?
A large proportion of inexpensive wine, often sold in bulk
Plus Low Density Bush vines = increasing number of quality producers
Describe Valencia DO
Largest DO of autonomous community of Valencia
What is the climate of Valencia DO?
Rain?
Mediterranean with cooling influences from altitude or proximity to coast
45cm Rain - low
Irrigation widely used
What is the most planted black grape?
Monastrell
Most planted white grape in Valencia DO?
along with which grape?
Merseguera - local
Moscatel de Alejandria (Muscat of Alexandria
What style of white wine is mostly produced?
Moscatel de Valencia, a sweet, fortified wine
What are the names of 2 of the sub-zones of Valencia?
Alto Turia - in southern foothills 700-1100m = coolest
Valentino - warmer, cooled by sea breezes
Where is Utiel-Requena DO?
located inland from the northern part of Valencia DO
What is the climate in Utiel-Requena DO?
Continental climate - hot summers, cold winters
What is the average altitude in Until Requena DO?
750m = cool summer nights
What is the most planted black grape?
87% black varieties
Bobal = 70% of plantings, some 40 yrs old
Describe Bobal
Mid-late ripening
retains acidity
drought tolerant
Yields need controlling
What style of wine does Bobal produce?
Light bodied
med tannin
hi acid
made with semi-carbonic maceration
Blackberry, cherry and chocolate
Describe Alicante DO? size
located near the coast around city of Alicanté
Smallest DO of Valencia
What climate does Alicante have?
Mediterranean
What is the key black grape of Alicante DO? aka (Rhone)? suited because?
Monastrell aka Mouvèdre
suited to hot, dry climate, late ripening, retaining acidity and drought tolerant
What is the key white grape of Alicante DO? style of wine?
Moscatel de Alejandria
Dry and sweet wine
Where is Jumilla DO?
Located in Mercia, area of flat plains between Alicante (east) and La Mancha (west)
What is the climate in Jumilla
What is the rainfall?
Warm Continental, hot summer cold winter
25-30cm rain - v low
What altitude in Jumilla?
400-800m = cooling influence
What balances the low rainfall?
soil is sand over limestone - retention of ground water, no irrigation installed
What were previous wines from Jumilla like?
inexpensive bulk wines
What changed the bulk wine production?
Phylloxera in 1989, vines grubbed up, replanted with higher quality clones on Monastrell, improved vineyard management = better quality, plus some OLD VINEs
Describe wines of Jumilla?
Full bodied
hi alcohol
ripe blackberry, cherry
oak- spice
med+ acidity
Good examples = concentrated fruit balanced with med+acidity
Other grape varieties blended with Monestrall?
Cencibel (Tempranillo)
Garnacha Tintoera (Alicante Bouschet)
Cab Sav, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot - all help to lower Monestrell tannin levels
