The Levant Flashcards
Valencia
South east coastal region gaining in altitude as region moves inland. Warm Mediterranean climate. Clay soils in lower, coastal regions, limestone in higher inland areas. Movement towards quality; originally planted mainly with low quality local or hybrid varieties. Plantings of Tempranillo and Macabeo are replacing these; Bobal also important, especially in blends. Experiments with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Uncomplicated, value for money wines. Local speciality is Moscatel de Valencia, highly perfumed, sweet wine, may or may not be fortified.
Alicante
Vineyards located near several river valleys flowing down to the coast, south of Valencia. Hot Mediterranean climate. Alluvial soils, plus degraded limestone over a limestone subsoil. Most important wines for export are easy drinking whites, reds and rosados plus sweet Moscatel.
Utiel- Requena
Production of red, white, Rosado and Doble Pasta wines. Main production of Meaty Rosado from Grenache and Bobal. Natural whites from Mersegura and Macabeo.
Jumilla
Inland and hilly, vineyards up to 700 metres. Hot mediterranean climate. Hot, dry, sandy soil, lack of phylloxera infestation until 1980’s. Phylloxera infestation has led to vine pull and replant on grafted root- stock, with experimentation of varieties. Predominately Joven red, some Crianza and Reserva produced. Red and Rosado must contain at least 50% Monastrell. Resultant wines are full bodied, high in alcohol with black fruit and hints of meat and liquorice. Sweet red from 100% Monastrell produced, high alcohol (15-16%) and about 80-100g/L, it sends 5-6 years in oak before release.
Yecla
V/yard areas surround Yecla, it is enclosed by the DO regions of Jumilla to the west, Almansa to the north and Alicante to the east. Limestone bedrock with brown subsoil and high carbonate content or sandy topsoil with clay. Mainly Joven reds with Monastrell, Garnacha and Tempranillo (red). Some Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reservas. Carbonic Maceration common for Joven wines. Monastrell proving particularly successful. Small amounts of white.
Wine is produced in_______ autonomia Of Southern Spain?
Every. Including Murcia and Valencia
Valencia DO?
- Steeped in both Catalan and Moorish tradition
- Both the name of the autonomia, it’s capital (Spain’s 3rd largest city) and a DO
- White Wines from the local Mersegura grape
- Neutral wines, but best known for oranges and Paella
- Other DO zones within the autonomia are Alicante and Utiel- Requena
Alicante DO?
- Known for dessert wine
- Local specialty is Fondillon produced from Monastrell (Mourvèdre), solders style, oxidative, dessert wine for 10 years
- It’s not fortified and does not carry the flavour of wood
Where is Bobal the grape home?
Utiel- Requena DO and doble pasta is the trad style
What is doble pasta?
Red wines macerated and fermented with twice the normal amount of grape skins and pulp. This results in intense concentration, tannin and colour
What are the DOs that comprise the Murcia in the Levant?
Jumilla, Yecla and Bullas
What type of soil is in Jumilla?
Sandy soils, they resisted phylloxera until the 1980s
What is the main grape variety of Jumilla?
Drought resistant, thick- skinned Monastrell. Garnacha and Petit Verdot can be used in blends
What sort of wines are made in Jumilla?
Reds and rosados, white grapes don’t work well in the desert like climate
La Mancha DO
- West of the coastal Levant appellations
- In Castilla- La Mancha autonomia
- Europe’s largest single demarcated wine region
- Windmills dot the flat plain
- Logo of Consejo Regulador is sillhoutelle of Don Quiote
- Principal Grapes: Cencibel (Tempranillo) and Airen
- Hot region where fungus and mould don’t exist
- Airen is on the decrease (now many fortified)
- Cencibel is now being encouraged to replant
What international varieties are planted Mentrida DO in the Levant of Spain?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Merlot