Castelló

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The area lies on the eastern side of the Iberian Peninsula, is coastal and has an average altitude of 300 metres above sea level, with mountainous terrain that bounds the inland edge of a narrow coastal plain.
• Average annual rainfall is around 540 l/m², with maxima in October (85 l/m²) and May (79 l/m²), and minima in June (15 l/m²) and July-August (25 l/m²).
• The thermal regime is mild, with maximum temperatures of 34.5ºC in August and 34.2ºC in July, while the lowest average maxima occur in February (21.3ºC) and December (22.3ºC) along the coast.
• In inland areas the average annual minimum temperatures are lower, reaching around -4ºC in December, and February, March and November show average minimum temperatures below 0ºC.
• The vineyard is grown on loamy-textured, brown calcareous soils over unconsolidated material and also on brown soils over hard limestone, where rodeno sandstone and granites predominate.

• Garnacha tinta is a native, long-cycle variety, well adapted to local conditions, which at low yields gives red and black fruit with good acidity.
• Cabernet Sauvignon contributes great structure and manages to temper its assertiveness by ripening the grapes very well without their losing freshness, so the wines need no correction.

• The wines easily achieve sufficient sugar concentration and a balanced, perfect total acidity, with a high colour intensity and a deep colour.
• Vinos de licor stand out for their high aromatic intensity and an optimal alcohol content, while wines from overripe grapes show a notable colour and aromatic intensity.

• The high temperatures of July and August, together with low rainfall in summer that is concentrated in autumn and spring, favour a balanced acidity in the wines and a high aromatic intensity.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (pliego de condiciones).

All appellations in Spain

Sources

• National pliego de condiciones (PDF)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-ES-A1173
• Official trade body site — GVA Portal Agrari — IGP Castelló