Cigales

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The appellation's vineyards are crossed by the Pisuerga river, situated at an intermediate point along its course between the cold climate of its upper reaches and the mildness near its mouth.
• The average altitude of the vineyards is 750 metres, with sandy and calcareous soils that contain very little organic matter. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The climate of the zone is continental, with a mean annual temperature of 12 degrees Celsius and mean annual rainfall of 400 litres per square metre. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The production zone straddles the provinces of Palencia and Valladolid, encompassing thirteen municipalities centred on Cigales. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Documentary sources record vineyard owners in the Cigales district as early as the tenth century. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• Thirty per cent of the vineyard is over 60 years old, which, combined with the zone's conditions, allows for an intense and well-balanced ripening suitable for wines intended for ageing.

• Quality sparkling wines show a fine, persistent bead with well-integrated secondary aromas, and display great refinement and freshness on the palate and on the retronasal finish.
• Red wines have an alcoholic strength of 12 to 14 degrees, with the younger wines being fresh and fruit-forward, while rosés range between 10.5 and 13 degrees and are the wine to which the appellation mainly owes its reputation. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• The interplay between climate and soil favours the production of grapes with a well-balanced acidity and sugar content.

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

All appellations in Spain

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-ES-A0622
• Official trade body site — D.O. Cigales