Valencia Flashcards
Name the foods Valencia is known for?
- Paella
- oranges
- rice
What agricultural advancements did the Moors contribute to Spain?
- oranges, sugar cane, cotton, apricots, almonds, saffron, rice
- new breeds of livestock
- fertilizer
- pest control
- grafting methods
- irrigation: capturing, channelling, & storing of water
What is “The Tribunal of Waters”?
This was a network of canals for channeling water created by the Moors located in Valencia.
Where is Comunidad Valencia located?
This autonomous region is in the central section of Spain’s east coast and possesses roughly 320mi/515km of Mediterranean shoreline.
It is bordered by Cataluna to the north-east, Aragon to the north-west, Castilla-La Mancha to the west, and Region de Murcia to the south-west.
Name the provinces in Valencia
- Castellon: in the north
- Valencia: in the center
- Alicante: in the south
What is the capitol of Valencia?
The city of Valencia, Spain’s 3rd largest city.
What is the climate in Valencia?
Mediterranean
* Winter: long & cold
* Summer: long, dry, & hot; droughts are common
* Autumn: hailstorms are common; most precipitation occurs here & can fall in torrential downpours
* coastal breezes moderate the heat
* affected by the Leveche
* Inland has continental influences w/ significant diurnal temperature swings (the best wine-producing areas are located here)
* 10-16in/250-400mm average annual rainfall
What is the Leveche?
This is a warm southerly wind that originates over the Sahara Desert in North Africa producing hot, dry, & dusty conditions. The wind picks up moisture as it moves northward across the Mediterranean Sea on its way to the Spanish mainland. It is most prevalent in springtime.
Which mountain ranges terminate in Valencia?
- Sistema Iberico
- Sistema Betico (Cordilleras Beticas)
What is the name of the highest peak in Valencia?
Pico Calderon
The provinces of Castellon & Valencia have some of this region’s highest peaks.
Name the main rivers in Valencia.
- Jucar River: originates in Castilla-La Mancha & flows through the Valencia province
- Segura River: originates in Andalucia & flows through the Alicante province
Note: there are a number of small rivers with so little water volume that they run completely dry in summer.
What soil types are found in Valencia?
- Coastal: marl, clay, & sandstone
- Inland: limestone & loamy-sand
Which grape varieties is Valencia predominantly known for?
- Bobal
- Monastrell
- Moscatel de Alejandria
How is the Bobal variety used to make wines in Valencia?
- traditionally used as a blending grape
- now being crafted into high-quality varietal wine
- carbonic maceration
What are the characteristics of varietal wines made from Bobal?
Wines made from this variety are full-bodied & deeply pigmented with supple tannins.
How is the Monastrell variety used to make wines in Valencia?
- Blended with small amounts of Garnacha Tintera for added acidity
- dry varietal wine
- late-harvest varietal wine (Fondillon from DO Alicante)
Name the DOPs of Valencia.
- DO Alicante (1957)
- DO Utiel-Requena (1957)
- DO Valencia (1957)
- VP El Terrerazo (2010)
- VP Los Balagueses (2011)
- VP Vera de Estenas (2019)
Other: VT Castello (2003)
Where is DO Alicante located?
This wine region is located within the Alicante province in the southern area of Valencia.