1. Week 1:
Spain – An Overview
Saturday, January 12th 2013
Presenter: Amy – Pinnacle Imports
• Rias Baixas
• Ribera del Duero
• Rioja
• Montsant
• Jumilla
2.
3. Ria – A long, narrow
(river-like) inlet to the
sea; glacially formed and
flooded by rising sea
levels.
4. Ria – A long, narrow
(river-like) inlet to the
sea; glacially formed and
flooded by rising sea
levels.
Baixa – Literally „Low‟ or
„Down‟ as in the area left
after a low tide or
receding sea.
5. The influence of the sea is
everywhere – it is a way
of life here.
6. The influence of the sea is
everywhere – it is a way
of life here.
Food and wine „of the sea‟
go hand-in-hand.
7. The influence of the sea is
everywhere – it is a way
of life here.
Food and wine „of the sea‟
go hand-in-hand.
Thus – grapes cannot be
grown in a traditional
manner…
8. Albariño grapes grown in such close
proximity to the sea are inundated with
sea air, thus special care must be given to
allow air flow around the vines.
9. Albariño grapes grown in such close
proximity to the sea are inundated with
sea air, thus special care must be given to
allow air flow around the vines.
Vines are spaced very far apart
10. Albariño grapes grown in such close
proximity to the sea are inundated with sea
air, thus special care must be given to allow
air flow around the vines.
Vines are spaced very far apart
Vines are also held up by HUGE (6 ft)
concrete trellises to allow maximum airflow
under the fruit
11. These massive concrete trellises
allow air to sweep under the vines
and drastically reduce the risk of rot
from the damp sea air.
15. Located South of, and heavily
protected by the Cantabrian
Mountains, Rioja is divided
into 3 sub-regions.
16. Located South of, and heavily
protected by the Cantabrian
Mountains, Rioja is divided
into 3 sub-regions.
• Rioja Alta:
17. Located South of, and heavily
protected by the Cantabrian
Mountains, Rioja is divided
into 3 sub-regions.
• Rioja Alta:
Highest elevation – these
wines are lighter on the
palate.
A shorter growing season
leads to less-ripe grapes.
18. Located South of, and heavily
protected by the Cantabrian
Mountains, Rioja is divided
into 3 sub-regions.
• Rioja Alavesa:
19. Located South of, and heavily
protected by the Cantabrian
Mountains, Rioja is divided
into 3 sub-regions.
• Rioja Alavesa:
Similar climate to the Rioja
Alta, but poor soil conditions
produce fuller-bodied wines
with more acidity.
20. Located South of, and heavily
protected by the Cantabrian
Mountains, Rioja is divided
into 3 sub-regions.
• Rioja Baja:
21. Located South of, and heavily
protected by the Cantabrian
Mountains, Rioja is divided
into 3 sub-regions.
• Rioja Baja:
The lowest and thus the
hottest, most arid part of
Rioja.
Temperatures regularly reach
95° each day during the
Summer months.
22. Located South of, and heavily
protected by the Cantabrian
Mountains, Rioja is divided
into 3 sub-regions.
• Rioja Baja:
The lowest and thus the
hottest, most arid part of
Rioja.
Temperatures regularly reach
95° each day during the
Summer months.
Grapes from the Rioja Baja are often used to
blend with other Rioja wines. They are high in
alcohol and low in acidity or aroma.
23. Located to the East of the
Cantabrian Mountains
(Sierra Cantabria) is the
Rioja valley.
Most of the vineyards are
planted at an elevation of
about 1,500 feet.
24. Notice the protection the
Sierra Cantabria
mountain range provides.
Pictured here – the Sierra
Cantabria winery.
25. Taste the
Rioja in the
Sierra
Cantabria
Tinto
from Jorge
Ordonez
Selections.
26. A flat, rocky plateau
located along the Duero
river.
27. A flat, rocky plateau
located along the Duero
river.
Elevation: 2400‟ – 3000‟
33. Desert-like:
• Low rainfall
• HIGH Summer temps
• LOW Winter temps
• DRASTIC temp
variations each
day/night
Stressed Vines = Great Wines
34. Notice the changing soil
types as we move up the
hill –
Stressed Vines = Great Wines
35. Notice the changing soil
types as we move up the
hill –
At the top of the hill…
You will find the LEAST nutrients
in the soil and thus the most
STRESSFUL growing conditions.
Stressed Vines = Great Wines
36. Notice the changing soil
types as we move up the
hill –
At the top of the hill…
You will find the LEAST nutrients
in the soil and thus the most
STRESSFUL growing conditions.
At the bottom of the hill…
The nutrient-rich soil has washed
down, so the grapes aren‟t stressed as
much.
Stressed Vines = Great Wines
38. Unlike the trellised vines
found in less-stressful wine
growing regions, grapes here
must be hearty.
Goblet-Trained
Tempranillo Vines
39. Unlike the trellised vines
found in less-stressful wine
growing regions, grapes here
must be hearty.
Goblet-training gives the
vine a firm footing and the
ability to survive in
loose, rocky soil with high
winds.
Goblet-Trained
Tempranillo Vines
40. Bodegas Convento de Las
Claras, Las Claras 2011 |
93pts
D.O. Ribera Del Duero | Drink
2012-2019
Taste Ribera
"Another knock-out offering from a
del Duero in winery founded in 2010, with some
vineyards dating back to 1900, the 2011
the Las Claras was aged in French oak, most
of it new, for eight months prior to
bottling. This fabulous bargain over-
delivers in every sense. Its dense
Las Claras ruby/purple color is accompanied by
abundant notes of lead pencil
Tempranillo shavings, white chocolate, espresso
roast and creme de cassis. This modern-
styled Spanish, super-rich, intense red
by Jorge takes ripeness to the limit. Consume it
over the next 7-8 years."
Robert Parker
Ordonez
Selections
41. Not visible on this
map, Montsant is a C-
shaped region that nearly
circles the (MUCH more
expensive) Priorat region.
43. Here is a close-up of Montsant.
The area within the “C” shape is
Priorat – a region with a
particularly treacherous terrain…
44. Here is a close-up of Montsant.
The area within the “C” shape is
Priorat – a region with a
particularly treacherous terrain…
Not that conditions are much
better in Montsant, but you get
the benefits of adverse
conditions at lower prices!
46. Sheer hillsides necessitate
terraced farming methods.
Each row is reinforced with a
miniature „retaining wall‟ to
prevent erosion, and harvest
time means careful, difficult
work.
47. Sheer hillsides necessitate
terraced farming methods.
Each row is reinforced with a
miniature „retaining wall‟ to
prevent erosion, and harvest
time means careful, difficult
work.
(unless you‟re this guy
and you get to sit and chat on
your cell phone)
49. Vineyards are at nearly 1,200 feet
above sea level.
Powerful red wines are the norm
here.
50. Vineyards are at nearly 1,200 feet
above sea level.
Powerful red wines are the norm
here. Many varietals are
allowed, and Can Blau, today‟s
wine from Montsant, features 3
Rhône varietals:
51. Vineyards are at nearly 1,200 feet
above sea level.
Powerful red wines are the norm
here. Many varietals are
allowed, and Can Blau, today‟s
wine from Montsant, features 3
Rhône varietals:
Cariñena (Carignan),
Syrah and
Garnacha (Grenache).
52. As if it weren‟t difficult enough
to farm here – this is the “soil”
that is typical in Montsant.
53. As if it weren‟t difficult enough
to farm here – this is the “soil”
that is typical in Montsant.
It‟s called Llicorella (ee-core-
EH-ya) and it is a mix of slate
and quartz.
54. As if it weren‟t difficult enough
to farm here – this is the “soil”
that is typical in Montsant.
It‟s called Llicorella (ee-core-
EH-ya) and it is a mix of slate
and quartz.
In order to plant, you first dig a
hole with a jackhammer…
seriously.
55. A vine‟s root system will have to
spread down about 2
meters, until it meets a rock
table. There it spreads out and
hopes for water.
56. A vine‟s root system will have to
spread down about 2
meters, until it meets a rock
table. There it spreads out and
hopes for water.
Remember:
57. A vine‟s root system will have to
spread down about 2
meters, until it meets a rock
table. There it spreads out and
hopes for water.
Remember:
Stressed Vines = Great Wines
59. A plateau in the presence
of mountains operation
as a transition between
the Mediterranean and
the Central Plateau of
Spain.
60. A plateau in the presence
of mountains operation
as a transition between
the Mediterranean and
the Central Plateau of
Spain.
Elevation: 1300‟ – 2600‟
61. Soils in Jumilla have good moisture
retaining properties, which allows
the vines to survive during periods
of prolonged drought.
62. Soils in Jumilla have good moisture
retaining properties, which allows
the vines to survive during periods
of prolonged drought.
They are quite sandy, allowing
good aeration, have a high pH
value and are low in salinity.
63. Soils in Jumilla have good moisture
retaining properties, which allows
the vines to survive during periods
of prolonged drought.
They are quite sandy, allowing
good aeration, have a high pH
value and are low in salinity.
As we see here, they can contain
high levels of lime as wells as fossil
evidence.
64. Soils in Jumilla have good moisture
retaining properties, which allows
the vines to survive during periods
of prolonged drought.
They are quite sandy, allowing
good aeration, have a high pH
value and are low in salinity.
As we see here, they can contain
high levels of lime as wells as fossil
evidence.
Jumilla is one of Spain‟s oldest DO
(Denominación de Origen) areas.
65. The Monastrell vines thrive in very
rocky soil. Here we see bush vines
with a developing canopy.
