Bodega Numanthia Flashcards
(186 cards)
1
Q
What is TERMES?
A
A modern and fruity expression of Bodega Numanthia.
2
Q
When was Termes created?
A
In 2000.
3
Q
What does the name Termes refer to?
A
A historic Spanish city near Numancia, both part of the resistance to Roman invaders in 134 BC.
4
Q
How does Termes differ from traditional Toro wines?
A
It is fresh and vivacious, contrasting with the dense “knife and fork” style of traditional Toro.
5
Q
What grape is used in Termes?
A
100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo).
6
Q
What is the average vine age for Termes?
A
30 to 50 years old.
7
Q
How long does fermentation last for Termes?
A
8 days.
8
Q
What fermentation technique is used in Termes?
A
2 pump-overs daily, using traditional methods with 100% destemmed grapes.
9
Q
How long is maceration for Termes?
A
25 days of extended maceration on skins with light pump-overs.
10
Q
How long is Termes aged in barrel (2018 vintage)?
A
16 months in 225L French oak barrels.
11
Q
What is the barrel breakdown for Termes maturation?
A
20% new oak, 80% second-use barrels.
12
Q
How often is Termes racked during aging?
A
Every 4 months.
13
Q
What is the wine style of Termes?
A
Vibrant and fruity, with freshness and vivacity.
14
Q
How long can Termes age gracefully?
A
At least five years.
15
Q
What are ideal food pairings for Termes?
A
Iberian ham, beef carpaccio, and a wide variety of foods.
16
Q
What is Numathia’s role in the Bodega Numanthia portfolio?
A
It is the first wine of the estate and embodies its name and values.
17
Q
What does Numanthia represent?
A
A subtle blend of over 100 of the region’s finest plots.
18
Q
When was Numanthia first created?
A
1998.
19
Q
Why is Numanthia historically important for the Toro region?
A
It marked a shift in vineyard management and winemaking that brought international attention to Toro.
20
Q
What type of expression does Numanthia showcase?
A
A complex, varied expression of the Toro terroir.
21
Q
What is the grape variety used in Numanthia?
A
100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo).
22
Q
What is the vine age for the plots used in Numanthia?
A
Between 50 and over 100 years old.
23
Q
How long does fermentation last for Numanthia?
A
10 days with daily pump-overs.
24
Q
What fermentation method is used in Numanthia?
A
Traditional, 100% destemmed.
25
What is the controlled fermentation temperature range for Numanthia?
26–28°C (79–82°F).
26
How long is maceration for Numanthia?
18 days with light pump-overs.
27
How long is Numanthia matured in barrels?
18 months.
28
What type of barrels are used for Numanthia?
225L and 400L French oak barrels.
29
What is the barrel breakdown for Numanthia?
60% new oak and 40% second-use oak.
30
How often is Numanthia racked during barrel aging?
Every 4 months.
31
How long is Numanthia bottle-aged before release?
4 years.
32
What is the wine style of Numanthia?
A balance of elegance and power, with complex aromas, deep round tannins, and a structured, precise character.
33
How long can Numanthia age gracefully?
At least 20 years.
34
What are some ideal food pairings for Numanthia?
Pil cod, grilled octopus with wasabi mayo, roasted suckling pig, Castillan Cocido, and Irish coffee sponge cake.
35
What is Termanthia?
The ultimate expression of Tinta de Toro, delivering fruit intensity, full body, elegance, and complexity.
36
What phrase describes Termanthia's depth?
“There is a century inside each glass.”
37
When was Termanthia created?
In 2000.
38
Why was Termanthia created?
Wines from ancient vines showed softness, finesse, and depth—so they were bottled separately.
39
What was Termanthia originally made from?
A single vineyard (Teso de los Carriles).
40
Since 2014, what is Termanthia made from?
A blend from 3 or 4 of Numanthia’s oldest and most special terroirs.
41
What grape is used in Termanthia?
100% Tinta de Toro.
42
What is the age of vines used in Termanthia?
100 years or older.
43
What clarification method is used for Termanthia?
None – the wine is not clarified to preserve fruit and structure.
44
How long is the fermentation for Termanthia?
15 to 22 days.
45
What happens after fermentation in Termanthia?
Grapes are left on the skins with minimal interference to avoid over-extraction.
46
What is the fermentation protocol for the 2015 vintage?
-100% destemmed
-5-day cold pre-fermentation maceration
-Fermented in French oak truncated cone tanks (10–20 hL)
-Pigeage (cap punching) twice daily early on
-Maceration for 7–9 days
-Malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels
47
How long is Termanthia aged in barrel?
22 months.
48
What kind of oak is used for aging Termanthia?
French oak.
49
What is the barrel breakdown for Termanthia aging?
80% new barrels, 20% second use.
50
How often is Termanthia racked?
Every 4 months.
51
When was the 2015 vintage of Termanthia bottled?
July 2017.
52
When was the 2015 vintage of Termanthia released to market?
2022.
53
How long can Termanthia age?
At least 20 years.
54
What is the wine style of Termanthia?
Elegant, complex, full-bodied, with lively fruit intensity.
55
What are recommended food pairings for Termanthia?
-Goose breast with raisin sauce
-Grilled teriyaki rabbit
-Rack of lamb with herb crust
-Toasted bread with bitter chocolate and Jamaican pepper
56
Why are only older vines in Toro ungrafted?
Legislation since the 1980s requires new vines to be grafted to resist phylloxera.
57
What is the benefit of bush vines in Toro?
They are uniquely shaped to shade grapes from harsh sunlight.
58
How old are the vines at Bodega Numanthia?
Between 30 and 200 years old.
59
Why is low planting density used at Bodega Numanthia?
3 meters between vines reduces disease and parasite spread.
60
When was Bodega Numanthia founded?
1998.
61
What role did Numanthia play in Spanish wine?
It helped launch the “New Spain” wine revolution.
62
What score did Termanthia 2004 receive from Wine Advocate?
100 points.
63
When was Bodega Numanthia acquired by Moët Hennessy?
2008.
64
What is unique about Tinta de Toro grapes?
Known as the “blackest of black grapes,” low-yielding, very concentrated.
65
What is the yield per hectare for Tinta de Toro?
1,800 kg/ha—one of the lowest in the world.
66
How much fruit is needed for 1 liter of Termanthia?
2 kg of grapes = 2 vines per liter.
67
When is harvest conducted at Bodega Numanthia?
From mid-September to mid-October.
68
Why is harvest timing critical in Toro?
Diurnal shifts cause rapid ripening; only a 1–2 day perfect window.
69
How is the fruit harvested?
Hand-harvested at peak maturity, with separate plot picking across 30 km and 200 plots.
70
What are the three phases of grape selection at Bodega Numanthia?
Vineyard sorting, hand-sorting at winery, optical sorting machine.
71
How much of the harvest may be discarded during sorting?
~15%.
72
Why is extraction important in winemaking?
It transfers tannins, color, flavor, and acid into the juice.
73
What is used to achieve gentle extraction?
Cool maceration for one week before tailored extraction tank-by-tank.
74
How long are wines barrel-aged at Bodega Numanthia?
14–22 months in 225L and 400L barrels.
75
How is bottle aging handled at Bodega Numanthia?
Wines are aged in cellar and released only when ready.
76
How long is Termanthia bottle-aged before release?
7 years.
77
How long is Numanthia bottle-aged before release?
4 years.
78
How long is Termes bottle-aged before release?
2 years.
79
What is the ageing potential for Termanthia and Numanthia?
Up to 20 years.
80
How many hectares does Bodega Numanthia manage?
200 ha (owned, leased, and contracted supply).
81
What is the status of their organic certification?
115 ha certified since 2020, remainder in conversion until 2024.
82
What herbicide policy does Bodega Numanthia follow?
100% herbicide-free.
83
What is the forest regeneration goal?
Reforest 2 ha of fallow land per year.
84
How much forest does Bodega Numanthia own?
16 ha of organic pine forest.
85
What is GREFA?
A partner association promoting biodiversity and habitat protection.
86
What soil analysis partner do they work with?
BiomeMakers since 2018.
87
What renewable energy does the winery use?
Solar panels generating 47kWh.
88
What energy upgrades were made at the winery?
Switched to LEDs and improved barrel room cooling.
89
What environmental certification did they achieve in 2019?
ISO 14001.
90
What climate-focused certification are they pursuing?
Wineries for Climate Protection.
91
How was the Termanthia bottle changed in 2018?
Reduced weight from 1200g to 750g (–38%).
92
What is the goal of the new traceability system?
Improve precision in tracking and sustainability.
93
How does Bodega Numanthia support local growers?
By assisting in organic conversion and preserving Toro heritage.
94
What annual training is offered to employees?
Environmental behavior, first aid, and harvest safety.
95
What academic partnership does Bodega Numanthia maintain?
With the University of Valladolid’s Degree in Enology.
96
What health and safety standard is being pursued?
ISO 45001.
97
What improvements have been made for employee safety?
First aid training, harvest risk awareness, and PPE upgrades.
98
Why does Toro still have ungrafted vines?
Its dry climate, sandy soils, and wide vine spacing allowed it to resist phylloxera.
99
What legislation affects vine grafting in Toro?
Since the 1980s, all new plantings must be grafted.
100
How old are Bodega Numanthia’s ungrafted vines?
They are pre-phylloxera vines, 70 to 200 years old.
101
What is the purpose of bush vine training in Toro?
To shade grapes from intense sunlight.
102
What is the spacing between vines in Bodega Numanthia’s vineyards?
3 meters (9.8 feet) apart.
103
What is the benefit of wide spacing between vines?
It reduces the spread of disease and parasites.
104
In how many ways are Bodega Numanthia’s vineyards considered exceptional?
Four ways: ungrafted, bush vines, old vines, and widely spaced vines.
105
What happened in Toro vineyards during the early 1900s?
War in Europe and economic hardship led to neglect and underdevelopment.
106
Why did French winemakers come to Spain in the 1920s?
To make wine from vines untouched by phylloxera, especially in Rioja.
107
What was the reputation of Toro wines in the 1950s?
Strong and tannic, and incompatible with French winemaking techniques.
108
What major event happened for Spain in the 1980s?
Spain joined the European Union, gaining access to new winemaking concepts like Denominations.
109
When was Toro granted Denomination of Origin (DO) status?
In 1987.
110
What percentage of Spain’s wine was Toro producing at the time of its DO recognition?
Only around 1%.
111
How was Toro regarded after its DO creation?
A well-kept secret in Spanish wine.
112
What is Bodega Numanthia known for?
Pioneering the transformation of Toro wines from ultra-robust to elegant, fruit-forward, internationally acclaimed wines.
113
Who led Bodega Numanthia’s transformation?
Two brothers from a Rioja winemaking family in the late 1990s.
114
Where is Bodega Numanthia located?
In the Toro region, 232 km (144 miles) northwest of Madrid.
115
What group helped bring Bodega Numanthia global recognition?
Moët Hennessy.
116
How did Toro wines used to be described?
So robust they were said to be drunk “with fork and knife.”
117
What spirit does Bodega Numanthia embody?
Old-World Estate with New-World pioneering spirit.
118
What is the main grape used by Bodega Numanthia?
Tinta de Toro, a low-yield clone of Tempranillo.
119
What nickname is given to Tinta de Toro?
“The blackest of black grapes.”
120
What contributes to the thick skins and concentration of Tinta de Toro?
The extreme climate of Toro (hot days, cold nights).
121
What shape are the vines in Toro trained into?
Crown-shaped bush vines.
122
Why are vines planted far apart in Toro?
To ensure each vine gets enough water in the dry climate.
123
What is the purpose of the low-to-ground vine canopy?
To protect grapes from harsh sun exposure.
124
How hot can summer days get in Toro?
Up to 38–39°C (100–102°F).
125
What is the diurnal temperature variation in Toro?
Often greater than 20°C (36°F).
126
How cold can winters get in Toro?
Below 0°C (32°F).
127
How much annual rainfall does Toro receive?
Only 300–400 mm (12–16 inches).
128
Why is Toro at the edge of viticultural viability?
It's almost too dry for non-irrigated vines to survive.
129
Why is the winery named "Numanthia"?
After the ancient city of Numancia, which resisted the Roman Empire.
130
What happened in 134 BC in Numancia?
The city resisted Roman invasion for 20 years, choosing death over surrender.
131
What was the reputation of Toro wines in the Middle Ages?
They were favored by Spanish kings, bishops, and nobles.
132
What wine did Christopher Columbus bring on his ships in 1492?
Toro wine.
133
What happened to European vineyards in 1860?
Phylloxera (a root-attacking aphid) caused widespread destruction.
134
How did most European vineyards recover from phylloxera?
By grafting onto North American rootstock.
135
Why did Toro escape the phylloxera epidemic?
Dry climate, sandy soils, and wide spacing between vines.
136
What is unique about Bodega Numanthia’s vineyards today?
They include rare ungrafted vines—uncommon in Europe.
137
How many ways are Bodega Numanthia’s vineyards exceptional?
Four distinct ways: the vines are OLD BUSH vines, UNGRAFTED, AND SEPARATED
138
What happened in the late 1990s that sparked Bodega Numanthia’s founding?
Two Rioja brothers came to Toro seeking grapes to strengthen their Rioja blends and discovered Tinta de Toro's standalone potential.
139
When was Bodega Numanthia founded?
1998.
140
Why is Bodega Numanthia significant in Spanish wine history?
It helped accelerate the “New Spain” wine revolution.
141
What accolade did Termanthia 2004 achieve in 2007?
First Toro wine to receive a 100-point score from Wine Advocate.
142
Who acquired Bodega Numanthia in 2008?
Moët Hennessy’s Estates & Wines.
143
What milestone did Bodega Numanthia celebrate in 2018?
Its 20th anniversary.
144
How many vineyard parcels does Bodega Numanthia manage today?
Over 200 plots.
145
How many hectares does the estate own and lease?
Owns 83 ha, leases 120 ha.
146
Where are the vineyard parcels located?
Scattered throughout the Toro DO, on both sides of the Duero River.
147
Why is parcel diversity valuable to Bodega Numanthia?
It ensures a broad range of terroir expressions in their wines.
148
What is the nickname for Tinta de Toro?
“The blackest of black grapes.”
149
What is the yield of Tinta de Toro?
1,800 kg/ha—among the lowest in the world.
150
How many kg of grapes are needed to make 1L of Termanthia?
2 kg.
151
What makes Tinta de Toro’s structure unique?
Tiny berries with thick skins; concentrated color and tannin.
152
How do Tinta de Toro clusters compare to Tempranillo?
Tinta de Toro clusters are lighter (200g vs. 300–400g) with thicker skins.
153
Are Tinta de Toro and Tempranillo genetically identical?
Yes, but Tinta de Toro has adapted to local conditions.
154
How is Bodega Numanthia’s harvest conducted?
By hand, with each plot harvested separately.
155
What causes the short harvest window?
High diurnal variation (hot days, cold nights) means perfect ripeness lasts only 1–2 days.
156
What is the harvest timeframe?
Mid-September to mid-October.
157
How large is the vineyard zone under harvest?
30 km across, with over 200 plots.
158
What are the three stages of grape selection?
Sorting in the vineyard, hand sorting at winery, optical machine sorting.
159
What is the quality tradeoff in the sorting process?
Around 15% of the harvest is discarded, reducing yield.
160
What winemaking method is used for extraction at Bodega Numanthia?
Traditional techniques, including cool maceration.
161
How long is cool maceration performed?
1 week.
162
Why use cool maceration?
It produces softer, more elegant flavors.
163
What barrel sizes are used for ageing?
225L and 400L French oak.
164
How long is wine aged in barrels?
14–22 months.
165
When is the wine released to market?
Only when ready, after further bottle aging.
166
What is the bottle ageing policy for Termanthia?
Released 7 years after harvest; ages up to 20 years.
167
What is the bottle ageing policy for Numanthia?
Released 4 years after harvest; ages up to 20 years.
168
What is the bottle ageing policy for Termes?
Released 2 years after harvest.
169
What is Bodega Numanthia’s vineyard management approach?
100% sustainable; no pesticides or herbicides ever used.
170
What is the vineyard planting density philosophy?
Very low density to eliminate need for irrigation.
171
What is the current certification status of estate vineyards?
Fully certified organic.
172
What surrounds many of the vineyard plots?
Forest and scrubland, supporting biodiversity.
173
How much organic pine forest is owned by the estate?
16 hectares.
174
What is Bodega Numanthia’s environmental goal?
Preserve old vineyards and protect surrounding biodiversity.
175
What is Termanthia known as?
The Treasure of Toro and the ultimate expression of Bodega Numanthia.
176
What kind of vineyard plots is Termanthia made from?
A small selection of the most extraordinary and balanced 3 or 4 terroirs of ungrafted centenarian vines.
177
What is the style of Termanthia?
Elegant and complex.
178
How is Termanthia best enjoyed?
As a beautiful companion to a refined meal or even on its own for a special moment.
179
What does Numanthia represent in the portfolio?
The first wine of Bodega Numanthia and the estate’s signature.
180
How is Numanthia made?
From over 100 different vineyard plots of ungrafted centenarian vines.
181
What kind of expression is Numanthia designed to deliver?
A complete and representative expression of Toro.
182
What is the style of Numanthia?
Powerful and structured.
183
What is Numanthia ideally paired with?
A proper dinner.
184
What is Termes designed to express?
The vibrant and fresh character of Toro.
185
What is the style of Termes?
Fruity and fresh, high quality.
186
What kind of occasion suits Termes best?
A meal, tapas, or as an aperitif.
