Spain: Galicia

Question 1

Rias Baixas DO : The Growing Environment and Grape Growing

Galicia

Answer 1

• largest DO in Galicia
  -4,300ha of vines
  -180 wineries ranging from small to very large – co-ops are dominant
  -Largest producer Bopdegas Martin Codax

CLIMATE : borders the Atlantic- distinct maritime - moderated warm summers and mild winters
1,700mm of Rainfall
Fungal disease and rain prior to harvest are hazards = vintage variation
SOILS: sand over granite bedrock , free draining

GRAPES :
95% Albarino
Suited to damp weeather , thick skins
Mid-ripeing and with the warming cliamte can ripen most years
High in acid, medium to med minus body, medium abv% and aromas of lemon, grapefruit and peach .Usually single varietal

Other grapes :
Loureiro - early ripening, medium plus acid, aromatic citrus, pear, floral and herbal notes
Treixadura
Caino Blanco
Souson - red wines 1%

Question 2

Rias Baixas DO : Sub regions

Answer 2

Five sub regions :
Va do Salnes - oldest and greatest plantings , on the coast , cool and wet producing wines with high acid

O Rosal - River Mino , border of Protugal, mostly Albarino and Loureiro , warmer with south facing slopes , lower in acid and with primary nnotes

Condado do Tea - inland, warmer
wines are riper with more peach and lower acidity, good for drinking young

Ribeira do Ulla -newst region , inexpensive and mid priced wines

Soutomaior - samllest sub zone

**Overall wines tend to me high in acid with med-med minus body, medium abv% and aromas of peach, melon and lemon
Good to very good, and some outstadning
eg. Pazo de Senorans

Question 3

Rias Biaxs DO : Vineyard Management

Answer 3

• Most popular trellis is the Pergola - Parral
  -allows the growth of other crops underneath and promotes air circulation , reducing fungal disease
• bigger estates use VSP for ease of mechanisation

Question 4

Rias Biaxas DO : Winemaking

Answer 4

• mostly protective to retain primary fruit
  -White grapes are macerated for a few hours
  -cool ferments in SS tanks
  -some use MLFC in colder years to just to reduce malic acid
  -inexpensive wines are released early
  -prem wines are held back on the lees / sobre lias for 1-2 yrs
  Lees are not stirred to prevetn oxygen . adds light creaminess , texture and complexity
  -fermenting in oak is the most expensive
  Mostly old , large oak and some new toasty notes

Question 5

Rias Biaxas DO : Wine Business

Answer 5

• 1/4 sales are exports and is increasing
  =-USA is the biggest , followed by the UK

Question 6

Spain: Ribeiro DO

Answer 6

• South of Rias Biaxas , but more sheltered
  Maritime climate with high rainfall
  -Treixadura is the most planted white
  -most prem wines are fermented and matured in oak

Question 7

Spain: Ribeira Sacra DO

Answer 7

• inland, continental
  follow river Mino
  -very steep, deep valley sides with altitudes and aspect
  -stony provide good drainage and reflect UV
  -must be handpicked
  **Mencia -
  red cherry, raspberry, Medium body and tannins with medium plus aciditity. Made in a fresh, early drinking style

Question 8

Spain: Valdeorras DO

Answer 8

• Most east of the Galician DOS
  -continental climate
  -700-1,000mm of Rainfall
  Most vineyards at 300m
  SOILS: slate , diverse range
  Good to very good wines made with Godello
  Wines are citrus and stone fruit, herbal or wet stone, Medium plus acid,
  Prem wines are fermented or matured in oka to lend texture ad toasty, spicy complexity

Also some very good Mencia

Question 9

Spain: Monterrei DO

Answer 9

-border of Portugal south of Riberira Sacra
-inland and sheltered by the Sierra de Larouca Mountains
-continental with hot summers
-low rainfall
- lots of inexepensive wines sold in bulk
-Some good ,riper Mencia and some fruity Godello