The Duero River Valley Flashcards
Where is the Duero River Valley located?
This river lies within the autonomous community of Castilla y Leon. It begins amongst the peaks of the Sierra de Urbion within the Sistema Iberico near the border with La Rioja. It weaves its way throughout the region as it makes its 556mile/895km journey to the Atlantic, entering and exiting Portugal as the Douro.
It is one of Spain’s most important and remains one of the most significant historical & viticultural territories in the country.
Which autonomous region is the largest in Spain?
Castilla y Leon
It occupies ~1/5th of the mainland
Where is Castilla y Leon located?
This autonomous region is in northwestern Spain and is bordered by Portugal to the west and 9 of Spain’s autonomous communitites:
* Asturias, Cantabria, & Pais Vasco to the north;
* La Rioja & Aragon to the east;
* Castilla-La Mancha, Comunidad de Madrid, & Extremadura to the south;
* Galicia to the west.
It is completely landlocked and occupies the northern part of the Meseta.
What is the capital of Castilla y Leon?
This autonomous regions doesn’t have a capital city, but Valladolid holds the title unofficially. It is also the most populous.
What are the provinces of Castilla y Leon?
- Avila
- Burgos
- Leon
- Palencia
- Salamanca
- Segovia
- Soria
- Valladolid
- Zamora
What is the climate in Castilla y Leon?
Continental
* extreme temperatures are the norm
* areas in the north experience some slightly moderating maritime influences from the Atlantic Ocean
* the 3 coldest provincial capitals are here
* frost period extends from October to May; late frost being a recurring hazard
* 14-20in/350-500mm annual rainfall in the plains
* 20-59in/500-1500mm annual rainfall in the mountains
Name the 3 coldest provincial capitals in Spain.
- Avila
- Soria
- Burgos
Castilla y Leon consists of what 2 primary topographic components?
- Duero River Basin
- Mountain ranges surrounding it
What mountain ranges surround Castilla y Leon?
- Montes de Leon: to the northwest
- Cordillera Cantabrica: to the north, creating a border with Asturias & Cantabria
- Sistema Iberico: to the east
- Sistema Central: to the south, separating the region from Castilla-La Mancha & Madrid
Name the highest peak in Castilla y Leon.
Torrecerredo (8,688ft/2,648m) in the Picos de Europa, which is on the northern border with Asturias.
There are miniscule portions of the Duero River Basin that occupy space in regions other than Castilla y Leon. What are they?
- Galicia
- Cantabria
- La Rioja
- Castilla-La Mancha
- Extremadura
- Comunidad de Madrid
Where in Castilla y Leon are most vineyards planted?
On or near the Duero River or one of its many tributaries.
What soil types are found in Castilla y Leon?
River valleys generally consist of clay, alluvium, or sandy-stony soils with some limestone. They are mineral-laden but generally not water-retentive unless clay is present.
The plains are largely comprised of brown limestone with clay loam & sand.
Some parts of the region have slate, quartz & granite.
While others have such sandy soils that pre-phylloxera vines are still alive & thriving.
Which grape variety is dominant in Castilla y Leon?
Tempranillo
This thick-skinned, early-ripening variety is well-suited for the extreme temperatures of this region.
It is authorized in 12 of the 13 appellations here.
What synonyms is the Tempranillo variety known by in Castilla y Leon?
- Tinto Fino
- Tinta del Pais
- Tinta de Toro
Which 3 wine growing regions in the northwestern part of Castilla y Leon make vinos tintos from grapes other than Tempranillo?
- DO Bierzo: Mencia is the primary grape
- DO Tierra de Leon: Prieto Picudo
- VC Valles de Benavente: Prieto Picudo
Which winegrowing area in Castilla y Leon is the only one where vinos blancos is the prominent wine style?
DO Rueda
White wines made from Verdejo. It is commonly blended with Sauvignon Blanc & creates fresh, lively, fruit-forward wines.
Why is Verdejo the dominant variety in DO Rueda?
This variety thrives in the high-elevation Meseta.
How are vines trained in Castilla y Leon?
- en vaso: traditionally, to help provide the grapes some relief from the severe summer heat
- trellising (espaldera??): many growers are experimenting with this system in an effort to increase yields & allow for mechanization
What is the prominent style of vinos tintos produced in Castilla y Leon?
Red wines made from Tempranillo. Despite experimentation with international varieties the vast majority of winemakers come back to this native variety.
Full-bodied, tannic wines irrespective of oak-aging.
Today, younger winemakers are experimenting with more extracted, concentrated wines that spend more time in new oak.
How would the vinos tintos made from international varieties in Castilla y Leon usually be labeled?
VT Castilla y Leon
Production requirements are less restrictive under this designation.
What winemaking methods are used in DO Rueda?
- Stainless steel fermentation: producing crisp & fresh wines meant to be drunk young
- Oak regimen: some winemakers are experimenting
- Blending: Verdejo has often been blended with Sauvignon Blanc and/or Viura over the past 2 decades
- Varietal: some winemakers are creating a more traditional & pure expression of Verdejo
What winemaking methods are used to produce the vinos rosados of Castilla y Leon?
- direct press: most
- saignee: some
- clarete: a method used in DO Cigales; normally labeled VT Castilla y Leon
- stainless steel: for immediate consumption
How are clarete wines made?
This winemaking method of producing vinos rosados involves crushing both red & white varieties together & vinifying the must as a vino tinto. The juice ferments on the skins for a short period of time.
Name the DOPs of Castilla y Leon.
- DO Bierzo (1989)
- DO Cigales (1991)
- DO Ribera del Duero (1982)
- DO Rueda (1980)
- DO Toro (1987)
- DO Arlanza (2007)
- DO Arribes (2007)
- DO Tierra de Leon (2007)
- DO Tierra del Vino de Zamora (2007)
- VC Cebreros (2019)
- VC Sierra de Salamanca (2010)
- VC Valles de Benavente (2004)
- VC Valtiendas (2004)
Which wine region is the home of Mencia?
DO Bierzo
75% of vines planted in this wine region belong to this variety.
Where is DO Bierzo located?
This wine region is in the northwest part of Castilla y Leon and borders parts of Galicia.
It is shielded from they Atlantic Ocean by the Cordillera Cantabrica.
What styles of wine are produced in DO Bierzo?
- Tinto (83%): from young & fresh to oak-aged
- Blanco (12%)
- Rosado (5%)
What is the climate in DO Bierzo?
Continental with significant maritime influence
* growing seasons are milder than the rest of Castilla y Leon
* higher rain & humidity than rest of Castilla y Leon
* low elevation protects against frost
* markedly dry summers (due to location in Meseta)
* 28in/721 average annual rainfall
What soil types are found in DO Bierzo?
- granite
- limestone
- quartzite
- slate
Name the white varieties of DO Bierzo.
Preferred:
* Godello
* Malvasia Castellana/Dona Blanca (Siria)
Authorized:
* Malvasia
* Palomino
Name the red varieties of DO Bierzo.
Preferred:
* Mencia
Authorized:
* Garnacha Tintorera
Where in DO Bierzo are vineyards planted?
These vines are planted at lower elevation than most of Castilla y Leon.
They are planted on slopes & rolling hills.
What vine-training method is used in DO Bierzo?
en vaso
Farming in this wine region is still wildly traditional.