The Meseta Flashcards
What is world’s most expensive spice, grown on the Spanish Meseta?
saffron**
What is the climate of the Meseta?
(Protypic) continental**
What is the important wind of the Castilla-La Mancha?
Levante**, starts gentle and moist moderating the eastern aspect of C-LM. (This wind becomes hot and dry in Andalusia after passing over the Betico mountains.)
What is the important weather pattern that can effect the Extremadura?
Azores High** (effect also extends into Andalucia)
What is the average rainfall on the Meseta?
20 inches [low**, but ironically, on average, slightly more than Valencia and Murcia]
Within the Meseta, what are the components of the Sistema Central mountains?
Sierra de Gredos (west) and Sierra de Guadarrama (east)**
What are the principal mountain ranges forming the border of the southern Meseta?
Sistema Bético, Sierra Morena
The mountains of the Sistema Central form the natural boundary of which regions?
Castilla y Leon and Castilla-La Mancha, both of which lie on the Meseta (e.g. Sierra de Gredos wine area is found in both regions.)
What are the mountains that lie between the Tajo and Guadiana rivers?
Sierra de Toledo and Sierra de Guadalupe**
What are the two major east flowing rivers that begin in the Meseta and empty to the Mediterrean Sea?
Jucar and Segura rivers** (The Ebro does not begin in the Meseta.)
What is the dominant soil type in Castilla-La Mancha?
limestone**
Which regions border Castilla-La Mancha?
W: Extremadura; S: Murcia and Andalucia; E: Aragon and Valencia; N: Madrid and Castilla y Leon **
What is the sequence of civilizations in Castilla-La Mancha?
Iberians/Celtiberians, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians. [Note that Greek influence far from the coast is minimal.]
What was the capital of Visigoth rule in Spain?
Toledo**
What is etymology of Castilla-La Mancha?
Castilla - indicating seat of the crown; La Mancha from the Arabic ‘al mansha,’ land without water
What is the largest plain in Spain?
La Mancha, dry but fertile! [at elevation, not a lowland plain]
What were the major cultural contributions of the Islamic Muslims in Castilla-La Mancha?
irrigation and animal husbandry **
What is the capital of Castilla-La Mancha?
Toledo** [not Madrid!]
What is the most planted grape in Castilla-La Mancha?
Airén (eye-wren)**
Vineyards in Castilla-La Mancha comprise what portion of Spanish vineyards?
50%**
What is the primary training method used in Castilla-La Mancha?
en vaso**
What is the most planted white wine grape in the world?
Airén, ranks 4th among all wine grapes worldwide behind Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo
What is the most planted red grape in Castilla-La Mancha?
Tempranillo** [but marginally less plantings than Airen]
What are motillas?
prehistoric fortified settlements (man-made mounds) dating from about 2000 BCE in La Mancha during the Middle Bronze Age, used to guard water and food sources**
Which civilization brought wine making to the Meseta?
Phoenicians** (after arrival in 1100 BCE) [This is evidenced by Phoenician artifacts of wine making have been found in Valdepeñas.]
What is the source of La Serina cheese?
Merino sheep from Extremadura, curdled using a coagulant found in the pistils of cardoon, related to the artichoke.
What is the source of Torta del Casar?
Merino and Entrefina sheep from Extremadura
What is the difference between Torta del Casar and la Serena cheese?
Torta del Casar is milder than la Serena, because it is made from milk from mixed breeds and also because less coagulant is used. (not testable)
What are the 3 largest regions in Spain?
Castilla y Leon, Andalucía, Castilla-La Mancha** [in that order]
What is the largest DOP wine region in the world?
DO La Mancha** [DOP’s include DO, DOCa, VC, VP, VPCa, but not VT]
What are the 5 provinces of Castilla-La Mancha?
Ciudad Real, Toledo, Cuenca, Guadalajara, Albacete (not testable)
Which province in Castilla-La Mancha does not produce wine for DO La Mancha?
Guadalajara**
What is Tempranillo called in Castilla-La Mancha?
Cencibel** [used on labels from VT Castilla]
What is the most widely planted grape in DO La Mancha?
Airen**, in terms of plantings (a white grape,, but note that wine production is primarily red due to the diversion of white grapes for brandy production)
What is the dominant wine style in DO La Mancha?
tinto**, with significant rosé production [contrast this to larger plantings of white grapes which are distilled for brandy, not wine, production!]
DO Manchuela was originally part of which DO?
DO La Mancha from 1982 to 2000**
What distinctive wine making technique is used for 30% of wine in DO Manchuela?
Doble pasta for Bobal (also used in DO Utiel-Requeña)
What are the main red grapes in DO Manchuela?
The DO is primarily known for Bobal and to a lesser extent Tempranillo. **
What is the main white grape in DO Manchuela?
Macabeo ** [but the Garnacha Blanca from there is awesome]
Ancient wine making equipment dating from the Phoenicians in 700 BCE was found in which DO?
DO Valdepeñas
DO Valdepeñas was originally part of which DO?
none, it is a very historic wine area which was one of the original Spanish DO’s named in the 1932 Wine Statute [contrast with DO Manchuela]
What is unique wine stye from DO Valdepeñas?
Aloque (Clarete), was a blend of red and white wines, now musts are blended to co-fermented to align with current wine laws **
What is the dominant wine style in DO La Mancha?
tinto, made from Tempranillo**
What are the NTK vinos de pago in Castilla-La Mancha?
2: Dominio Valdepusa, Finca Èlez**
What native Spanish grapes are grown at VP Dominio Valdepusa?
only Graciano ** [not Tempranillo!]
What are the dominant red grapes in DO Valdepeñas?
Cencibel (aka Tempranillo) **
What are the dominant white grapes in DO Valdepeñas?
Airén **
What is the dominant wine style in DO Valdepeñas?
tinto ** (83%)
VP Finca Èlez is found within the borders which DO?
DO La Mancha
Name the first two VP’s awarded in Spain.
VP Finca Èlez, Dominio Valdepusa; both in 2003 [Contrast with VP Arínzano that was first VP in Northern Spain in 2007.]
What is the climate in VP Dominio Valdepusa?
continental
What is the altitude in VP Dominio Valdepusa?
490 m, slightly lower than many vineyards on the Meseta; one half the altitude of Finca Élez.
What is the relationship between the terms DO, DOP, Vino de Pago?
The Vino de Pago’s are not DOs, but they are DOPs. The traditional term is Vino de Pago, not DO Pago. (from Matt Stamp MS, but actual labels are not always consistent)
Who is the principal at VP Dominio de Valdepusa?
Carlos Falcó Fernandez de Córdova, the Marqués de Griñón, whose family has held the land since 1292.
Who is referred to as the father of Spanish wine and what is his American connection?
Carlos Falcó Fernandez de Córdova, the Marqués de Griñón; he graduated from the University of California Davis in 1964. In 1974, he introduced the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape varieties as well as drip irrigation and night harvesting.
What is the role of Tempranillo at VP Dominio de Valdepusa?
none! Graciano is only native grape at this VP
Name a DOP in Spain that is 100% tinto.
VP Dominio de Valdepusa, ??? others
What is the altitude in VP Finca Èlez?
nearly 1100 m
What is the climate in VP Finca Èlez?
continental
What is the dominant wine style in VP Finca Èlez?
tinto, although ironically well known for Chardonnay
What are the borders of Madrid?
N and W: Castilla y León; S and E: Castilla-La Mancha **
Who is Manuel Manzaneque?
Actor, director and theater producer, winemaker, founder of VP Finca Èlez
What is the primary grape of DO Vinos de Madrid?
Garnacha Tinto [not Tempranillo]
The Sierra de Gredos Mountains are located in which sub-zone of which DO?
Sub-zone San Martin de Valdeiglesias in the DO Vinos de Madrid. There are also vineyards of the Sierra de Gredos within the CyL region, including VC Cerebros.
What is the etymology of Madrid?
The Arabic city of Magerit was named after a fortress built on the Manzanares River in the 9th century AD, and means “Place of abundant water” in Arabic. [Contrast with La Mancha.]
What is the dominant wine style in DO Vinos de Madrid?
tinto** (68%), mostly Garnacha Tinta
What are the borders of Extremadura?
N: Castilla y Leon; W: Portugal; S: Andalucia; E: Castilla-La Mancha **
What is the Via de la Plata?
an ancient Roman trade route that crosses the west of Spain from north to south, connecting Mérida to Astorga; it now refers to the longest of the pilgrim routes (Camino) in Spain, over 1000 km.
What is the etymology of Via de la Plata?
Plata is the Spanish word for silver; however, the name is most likely derived from the Latin word “platea” meaning wide road or “Lapidata” meaning stone road. Another possible origin is the Arabic word al-balat, which means cobbled paving and described the road as engineered by the Romans.
What is Lusitania?
an ancient Roman province on the west of the Iberian Peninsula—the region that is now southern Portugal and Extremadura; also the namesake of the British ship sunk in 1915 during WWI.
What is Las Médulas?
Las Médulas is a historic gold-mining site near Bierzo. It was the most important gold mine in the entire Roman Empire.
What is Emerita Augusta?
Roman town founded in 25 BCE, now present day Mérida in Extremadura
What were the three provinces in Hispania during the Roman Empire?
Hispania Tarraconensis (northern and eastern Spain,) Hispania Baetica (Andulucia,) and Lusitania (Extremadura and southern Portugal) [BLT]
Who is Juan Luis De Siruela?
A prior in Guadalupe, Cáceres, who wrote the book “Book and Record of the Winery of the Monastery of Guadalupe” in 1520
What is the capital of Extremadura?
Mérida
What is the influential weather pattern that can affect DO Ribera del Guadiana?
Azores High (aka anti-cyclone)
What river is associated with the Extremadura?
actually 2, Tajo (N) and Guadiana (S) Rivers**
How many sub-zones are in DO Ribera del Guadiana?
six **
Which is the the most productive sub-zone of the DO Ribera del Guadiana?
Tierra de Barros ** (80% of vineyards) [located in Badajoz province]
What is the dominant wine style in DO Ribera del Guadiana?
tinto
What are the most important indigenous Iberian white grapes found in DO Ribera del Guadiana?
Cayetana Blanca (aka Pardina) and Alarije (aka Subirat Parent)
What river basins are found in Extremadura?
the Tajo and Guadiana are the primary river basins, small portions of the Duero River basin and the Guadalquivir river basins are found at the northern and southern borders of the region
What Spanish regions have the lowest population density?
Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Aragon [Impact on wine: a limited labor force encourages mechanization of production]
What Spanish region has the highest population density?
Communidad de Madrid [ironically the neighboring regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y Leon have some of the lowest population densities]
What DO in Extremadura produces Cava?
Ribera del Guadiana**
Which indigenous white variety represents 75% of the plantings in the subzone Cañamero of DO Ribera del Guadiana?
Alarije**
Approximately what percentage of Castilla-La Mancha’s land mass is part of the central plateau?
80%, the rest is mountains
Which two white grapes dominate the white wine production of Madrid?
Malvar, Albillo Real
After phylloxera arrived in Madrid vineyards, which two varieties were planted to obtain high alcohol and high yields?
Garnacha and Airén
Which river forms the southern border of the region of the Communidad de Madrid?
Tajo River**
Which river goes through Toledo?
Tajo River ** [T-T]
What are the two rivers that frame DO Manchuela?
Júcar, Cabriel
What is the name of the unique wine production method in Madrid?
Sobremadre [sobreMADRe>MADRID]
What is translation of “Valdepeñas” in English?
Valley of Stones [stone is piedra so perhaps more accurately ‘Rocks’]
What river is associated with DO Valdepeñas?
Jabalón River
Compare the number of windmills found in Valdepeñas to those found in Castila-La Mancha countryside.
Valdepeñas region is not home to the large number of windmills that are so characteristic of the La Mancha countryside as grape growing historically supplanted cereals as the primary crop and thus required less (wind) power for grinding grains.
Which is the largest sub-zone of DO Madrid?
Arganda [not the more rugged (and famous) San Martin de Valdeiglesias]
What percentage of vineyard land in Spain is in Castilla-La Mancha?
virtually half**
What are two reasons why the eastern part of Castilla-La Mancha experiences some Mediterranean influence?
Its proximity to the coast and the levante winds**
Which Madrid sub-zone focuses on Garnacha and Malvar?
Navalcarnero
Name the provinces of Extremadura.
2: Cáceres, Badajoz **
Which DO overlaps the DO La Mancha?
DO Ucles, but not the adjacent (but without overlap) wine areas, DO Mancheuela or DO Valdepeñas
How many sub-zones are in DO Vinos de Madrid?
4; Arganda, Navalcarnero, San Martin de Valdeiglesias and El Molar [not to be confused with Priorat Vins de Vila Solanes del Molar and the nearby city El Molar]
Which is the rainiest sub-zone of DO Madrid?
San Martin de Valdeiglesias
Which is the driest sub-zone of DO Madrid?
Arganda
Which sub-zone of DO Madrid is bisected by Guadarrama River?
Navalcarnero
How much of Extremadura is flat?
most of it is flat, composed of two large river basins (despite being framed by mountains)
What is the dominant red grape in Extremadura?
Tempranillo, followed by Garnacha Tinta and Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the dominant white grapes in Extremadura?
Cayetana Blanca and Alarije [not Airèn]
What is the dominant vino blanco in Extremadura?
none really, white grapes are predominantly used for distillation
What is the dominant grape in the Cañamero sub-zone of Extremadura?
Alarije
What is the dominant grape in the Montánchez sub-zone of Extremadura?
Borba (white grape aka Grasevina in Croatia, Robinson, not even listed in Spanish grapes section of SWS manual)
What is VT Castilla?
It was the first IGP created in Spain. The appellation was a strategic alternative in the market for a large quantity of wine made in Castile-La Mancha - 10 million hectolitres - that was not included in any DO, being marketed as common table wine. [not to be confused with VT Castilla y Leon]
What is the most famous breed of Spanish sheep for making fine wool?
Merino
When was Don Quixote published?
1605 and 1615 in the middle of the Spain’s Golden Age
What is the the most populated city in Castilla-La Mancha?
While its capital city is Toledo, the most populated city is Albacete.
Which province of Castilla–La Mancha was part of Murcia prior to the formation of the current autonomous communities?
Castilla–La Mancha region added the province of Albacete, which had been part of Murcia; adding Albacete placed it within the historic region of La Mancha.
What is the largest appellation in the world in terms of Garnacha Tintorera vineyards?
DO Almansa, southeast part of the meseta
What are the principle mountain ranges of the northern Meseta?
Sistema Central and Sistema Iberico
