level: The Central Mediterranean Coast
Questions and Answers List
The need-to-know DOs of the Central Mediterranean Coast
level questions: The Central Mediterranean Coast
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| DO Alicante (Valencia): Styles (primary grapes), climate, soils | 68% tinto (Monastrell), 22% blanco (Moscatel de Alejandria); Mediterranean with continental; limestone (Vinalopo), clay (La Marina) |
| DO Alicante: La Marina subzone: Location, soil, dominant grape | Small zone on north coast; clay; Moscatel de Alejandria |
| DO Alicante: Vinalopo subzone: Location, soil, dominant grape | South of La Marina from coast to mountains; limestone; Monastrell |
| What is Fondillon? | Over-ripe Monastrell grapes in years where summers long, humidity low; 16% abv; intentionally oxidized over ten-year solera in giant oak casks |
| DO Utiel-Requena (Valencia): Styles (primary grapes), climate, soils | 78% tinto (Bobal); continental with Mediterranean; limestone with reddish-brown topsoil; tintos varietal, some blends with Tempranillo or internationals |
| What is Doble pasta? | DO Utiel-Requena traditional vinification method: skins and pulp of Bobal rosado added to fermenting Bobal must, i.e., double macerated |
| Who are Chozas Carrascal and Tharsys? | Two fincas in DO Utiel-Requena labelling some of their wines as Vino de Pago |
| DO Bullas (Murcia): Styles (primary grapes), climate, soils | 79% tinto (Monastrell); Mediterranean with continental; limestone, chalk, alluvium; 2 non-contiguous areas; highest vineyards in Murcia |
| DO Jumilla (Murcia/Castilla-La Mancha): Styles (primary grapes), climate, soils | 92% tinto (Monastrell); continental with Mediterranean; reddish-brown limestone, sandy clay; 40% in Murcia; tintos often Monastrell blends |
| What is "Tinto Monastrell"? | DO Jumilla designation: ≥ 85% Monastrell |
| DO Yecla (Murcia): Styles (primary grapes), climate, soils | 92% tinto (Monastrell); continental with Mediterranean; limestone; smallest DO in Murcia; exports 95% of its production |
| What are Pie franco? | Ungrafted vines (unaffected by phylloxera), e.g., in DO Jumilla |