20.7 - Valencia and Murcia

Question 1

Generalise the climate, vineyard management and wines in Valencia and Murcia.

Answer 1

Climate hot and dry (either continental or Med)

Vineyard management Newer vineyards are trellised and VSP’d, older vineyards have bush vines

Wines Large proportion of cheap, bulk shipped wine with a growing number of quality producers

Question 2

Describe the situation, climate and rainfall of Valencia.

Answer 2

Situation Two non-contiguous areas Alto Turia and Valentino

Climate Warm Mediterranean with coastal influence and altitude to cool

Rainfall Low 450mm –> irrigation widely used

Question 3

Compare and contrast the growing environment and wines of the Alto Turia and Valentino

Answer 3

Situation AT is in the foothills of the Sistema Iberico; Valentino in the south near the sea

Elevation AT is at high altitude at 700-1100m; Valentino is 200-650m

Wines AT makes white wine from Moscatel de Alejandría
and Merseguera of varying quality; Valentino produces all types of wine from local and int’l varieties including Merseguera

Question 4

What part of Valencia is known for sweet and fortified wines? Which grapes are used?

Answer 4

Inland from Valentino Moscatel de Alejandría

Question 5

Describe the typical quality of wine made in Valencia.

Answer 5

Vast majority inexpensive, fruity from co-ops.

Small, but growing production of good-VG from producer-growers some using relatively unknown local varieties

Question 6

Describe the situation, climate, elevation and rainfall of Utiel-Requena.

Answer 6

Situation inland, northern end of Valencia next to La Mancha

Climate warm, continental

Elevation 750m

Rainfall 450mm

Question 7

Which grape is most widely planted in Utiel-Requena? Describe why it is well-suited to growing there (3) and the style of wines produced including flavour, structure, and quality-price.

Answer 7

Bobal

Mid-late budding - avoids frosts

Drought tolerant - low rainfall

Retains acid - hot climate

Produces red wines and rose of varying styles - semi-carbo for light through to old-vines, destemmed for full-bodied

Flavours Blackberry, black cherry, chocolate

Structure High acid, med-med(+) tannin, light-full body

Quality-Price Acceptable-VG/inexpensive-mid-priced

Question 8

Describe the situation, climate, elevation and rainfall in Alicante.

Answer 8

Situation southern-most part of Valencia near the coast

Climate Mediterranean

Elevation Varies from coastal to 500m

Rainfall Extremely low 250mm

Question 9

Which grapes are widely grown in Alicante?

Answer 9

Monastrell - 75% of plantings

Other blacks - Alicante Bouschet, Garnacha and Bobal

Whites - Moscatel de Alejandría

Question 10

Name any important sub-zones within Alicante. How does the growing environment differ? What wines do they specialise in producing?

Answer 10

Marina Alta - in north-east near coast. Humid breezes and rainfall (500mm) - Moscatel de Alejandría for dry and sweet wine

Question 11

Why is Monastrell widely planted in Alicante? How is it planted?

Answer 11

Late-ripening, acid retention and drought tolerance make it suited to climate

Planted bush vines at low density

Question 12

Describe the blend, style and structure of red wine from Alicante DO.

Answer 12

Blend >80% Monastrell with Alicante Bouschet, Garnacha and Bobal making up the balanced

Flavours Ripe black fruit + oak

Structure Full-bodied, high alcohol, high tannins

N.B. some producers going for a fresher, lighter style

Question 13

What is Fondillón?

Answer 13

An historic style of med-sweet red wine from late harvest Monastrell from Alicante

Tends to be oxidative in style

Question 14

Outline the winemaking rules for Fondillón?

Answer 14

Max 40g/L

Min 16% ABV

At least 10 years in oak (often very large barrels)

Can be either vintage or solera blend

Question 15

Describe the situation, size (relative to Rioja), climate, topography, rainfall and soil of Jumilla.

Answer 15

Situation between Alicante and La Mancha

Size 25,000ha (cf. Rioja 64,000ha)

Climate warm, continental

Topography large, flat plains 400-800m altitude

Rainfall is extremely low 250mm

Soil Sand on limestone (water retention?)

Question 16

What styles/quality of wine is produced in Jumilla? (4)

Answer 16

Full-bodied reds from Monastrell of varying quality; most production is high vol and cheap

High quality red from old vine, cooler site Monastrell with med(+) to balance high alcohol

Blends of Monastrell with Spanish and int’l varieties to reduce tannin levels

Rose from Monastrell

Question 17

What event helped to improve the quality of wine production in Jumilla?

Answer 17

An outbreak of phylloxera in 1985 - vines grubbed up and replanted with higher quality clones

+ better winemaking e.g. temp controlled ferments improved quality

Question 19

To what extent are grower producers important in Jumilla?

Answer 19

Most wine is produced in high vol with grapes purchased from small growers

But 1989 phylloxera crisis and improved winemaking has allowed smaller grower-producers to achieve higher prices and export

Question 20

How similar is the growing environment in Yecla similar to Jumilla?

How similar are the wines?

Answer 20

Very similar with slightly more moderation from Med

Altitude, soils, rainfall is similar

Wines very similar, Monastrell dominant with slightly higher quality on average

Question 22

To what extent is production concentrated in Yecla?

Where is most Yecla wine sold?

Answer 22

Single co-op producers 60% of production

95% exported