Las Islas

Question 1

How history helped to shape the Balearic Islands’ modern wine industry

Answer 1

phylloxera created demand, and when it finally hit, ruined many vineyards, which were then replaced by almonds. Happened in 80s too. But later vineyards replanted.

Question 2

Main topographical features (mountain ranges, rivers, etc.) of Baleares Islands

Answer 2

Ibiza y Formentera: the Pityusas. Smallest community. archepelago an extention of Sistema Betico. Mostly flat otherwise, except Mallorca. Almost no rivers except Santa Eulalia River on Ibiza.

Question 3

The factors influencing the Baleares’ climate

Answer 3

Med. Coolest temps in Sierra de Tramuntana in nw Mallorca. Not much rainfall, except in Sierra de T. Menorca and Mallorca subject to Tramontana wind - cold, dry wind coming from between Pirineos and Massif Central in southern France. Menorca most affected; Mallorca protected by Serra de T range. Mallorca also affected by thermal wind called Embat, a soft, humid sea breeze which blows over land during sunniest part of day - the salt-laden breeze imparts saline notes on wines.

Question 4

Dominant soil types in the Balearic Islands

Answer 4

generally nutrient poor topsoils and calcerous in nature with limestone subsoil. Capicity to hold water important here. Menorca has marl atop limestone and sandstone. Ibiza has clay-loam atop limeston, formentera: limestone and sand. DO Pa i Llevant in Mallorca has unique soil: call vermell - reddish clay often mixed w/limestone gravels and stones and is free draining.

Question 5

The “need to know” (NTK) grape varieties and their regional synonyms - Baleares

Answer 5

Indigenous varieties often revived after phylloxera destroyed vineyards. Intl also common. Indigenous: prensal blanc (also called Moll), reds: Manto negro, callet and fogoneu. Intl: cab, merlot, chard. In Serra de T production zone of Mallorca: Malvasia y Chard most popular. Other islands favor red - menorca: merlot and cab, Ibiza y formentera: monastrell.

Question 6

The role, if any, of international grape varieties in Baleares

Answer 6

cab, merlot, chard

Question 7

The main vine training systems in the Balearic Islands

Answer 7

traditionally en vaso, but as vineyards replanted, more opting for espadlera, which works given flat landscape so mechanization very common - except near Tramuntana.

Question 8

Dominant wine styles in Baleares

Answer 8

Most industry on Mallorca: vinos blancos, tintos, rosados, espumosos all produced. usually early consumption. some experimenting with lees and barrel aging, mostly with Prensal Blanc. Also high quality reds, usually with indigenous Manto Negro and Callet.

Question 9

NTK DOs of Baleares

Answer 9

DO Binissalem and DO Pla i Llevant

Question 10

The “need to know” (NTK) grape varieties and their regional synonyms of DO Binissalem

Answer 10

prensal blanc/moll, manta negro

Question 11

Dominant wine styles of DO Binissalem

Answer 11

mostly red (64%), but produces all types.

Question 12

The climate, topography, and soils of DO Binissalem

Answer 12

limestone, large limestone gravel. West central Mallorca near Serra foothills and shield from Tramuntana winds. Manto negro and cab most widely palnted.

Question 13

The “need to know” (NTK) grape varieties and their regional synonyms in DO Pla i Llevant

Answer 13

Prensal blanc/moll, red: callet, cab, merlot

Question 14

The most widely-planted grape varieties in DO Pla i LLevant

Answer 14

Intl varities are 77% of total production. cab and merlot are most planted, followed by callet. Chard and Prensa Blanca/Moll for white. Mostly blends

Question 15

Dominant wine styles of DO Pla i Llevant

Answer 15

mostly tinto, but not by much (43%), but also white (39%), rosado and very litttle espumosos.

Question 16

The climate, topography, and soils of DO Pla i Llevant

Answer 16

limestone, red clay topsoil (call vermell). Name means “plain and east coast” which describes it perfectly - stretches across eastern half of Mallorca, which is warmer, dryer side of the island. Climate tempered by the Embat sea breezes which bring moisture during warmer months, and saline notes.

Question 17

How history helped to shape the Canaries

Answer 17

Competition with Brazil and Carribean over sugar trade meant that Islands focused more on wine. Mildew in mid 1800s devasted vinyeards, phylloxera didn’t even matter because vineyards were gone.

Question 18

The factors influencing the Canaries’ climate

Answer 18

Subtropical. Lanzarote sees least rain. low diurnal and seasonal variations. Trade winds that blow from NE to SW, year round.

Question 19

Dominant soil types in the Canaries

Answer 19

volcanic soils dominate, esp at lower and medium elevations. Clay and sand and volcanic up higher - these soils nutrient rich and water retentive.

Question 20

The most widely-planted grape varieties in the Canaries

Answer 20

Malvasia aromatica (likely from Greece/Cyprus) was used for Malmsey. Malvasia volcanica (also known as Malvasia volcanica (a cross between M. aromatica and marmajuelo), very well suited for volcanic soils of Lanzarote. Large number of vines over 100 yrs old. Listan Blanco (palomino fino) planted throughout (likely brought from Andalucia). Primary red grape: Listan Negro (also called Almuñeco) - can be used w/lots of methods, including carbonic mac, and is indigenous to islands. (not related to Listan Blanco or Listan Prieto). Listan Prieto here too, prob brought from Spanish settlers – touted as the original Mission grape. Only grown in small quantities.

Question 21

The main vine training systems in the Canary Islands

Answer 21

Most on hillside terraces, en vaso. Some utilize the lapilli - create funnel-shaped hoyo, vine planted at bottom - collects rainwater, protects from wind. A semi-circular wall of volcanic rock, called an abrigo, built on windward side for more protection from tradewinds. Also: cordon trenzado, used nowhere else in the world. Born out of need to cultivate multiple crops (usually potatoes) with minimal space. Must be handworked.

Question 22

What is Malmsey?

Answer 22

a sweet, white, unfortified wine produced from Malvasia - produced early on and popular in England, France, the Netherlands and Spanish colonies. The anglicized term of Malvasia. Shakespear even cheered it. Handful still make it today.

Question 23

What is lapilli?

Answer 23

parts of lanzarote and la palma have lapilli (also known as picon), a layer of small, porour, volcanic pebbles which blankets the topsoil. Filters rain water and pulls moisture from passing windos Also helps prevent evaporation from soil beneath.

Question 24

What is Vino de Tea?

Answer 24

crafted as vino blanco, rosado or tinto from DO La Palma’s primary varieties (Listan Blanco, Albillo, Negramoll, Listan Prieto, Alumeñeco) then aged for max of six months in barrels from Canary pines (locally called teas). Wines have resinous character with mineral and menthol notes.

Question 25

DO Islas Canarias

Answer 25

All islands, to create a more internationally marketable brand. All wine stules are authorized.

Question 26

Most widely planted grapes in DO Lanzarote

Answer 26

The most widely-planted grape varieties

Question 27

Dominant wine styles in DO Lanzarote

Answer 27

Mostly white (80%) - blancos, espumosos and naturally sweet and semi-sweet vinos dulces. Vino rosado and tinto from listan negro/alumeneco. Many undergo carbonic mac.

Question 28

The climate, topography, and soils of DO Lanzarote

Answer 28

lapilli/picon atop sand/clay - vital to success of viticulture because rainfall is scarce and ash is water retentive. Hoyos and abrigos. Sometimes trenches. Vines work through lapilli to fertile sand.

Question 29

About DO Tacoronte-Acentejo

Answer 29

Mostly red. NE tip of Tenerife. largest and oldest DO in Canaries. Vineyards account for 40% of all cultivated land on Tenerife and 20% of total area under vine in the Canaries.

Question 30

Main grape of DO Tacoronte-Acentejo

Answer 30

Listan Negro/Almuñeco

Question 31

Vine training systems of DO Tacoronte-Acentejo

Answer 31

Espaldera, cordon trenzado

Question 32

Dominant wine styles of DO Tacoronte-Acentejo

Answer 32

Red wine country, mostly from Listan Negro. some undergo carbonic, some have oil aging.

Question 33

Soil type of DO Tacoronte-Acentejo

Answer 33

volcanic

Question 34

To know about DO Valle de la Orotova

Answer 34

Slightly more red. Puerto de la Orotova was first port of trade, wine played an integral role in commerce - To England and Spanish colonies.

Question 35

Main grapes of DO Valle de la Orotova

Answer 35

Listan Blanco de Canarias, Listan Negro (Alumeñeco)

Question 36

The climate, topography, and soils of DO Valle de la Orotova

Answer 36

Volcanic, sandy clay. Vines planted south of port in north-central Tenerife on terraced northern slopes of El Teide. Cordon trenzado pioneered here - many still use this.

Question 37

To know about DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora

Answer 37

Mostly wine (78%) - made a name for itself with this. Gets name from two of the indigenous kingdoms.

Question 38

Main grapes of DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora

Answer 38

Listan Blanco de Canarias, Listan Negro/Almuñeco

Question 39

The climate, topography, and soils DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora

Answer 39

Volcanic, sandy clay. Planted on steep trecherous slopes of Teide. No mechanization.