Sierra Sur de Jaén

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The zone is situated in the south-west of the province of Jaén, forming part of the Subbetic mountain range, at altitudes ranging from 700 to 1,850 metres above sea level.
• The terrain presents slopes ranging from 7% in the lower-lying areas to more than 30%.
• The climate is Mediterranean mountain in character with continental influences, featuring a long, cool, and wet winter and an equally long, dry, and hot summer.
• Temperatures reach summer maxima of 39 °C in the lower-altitude zones and winter minima of −7 °C in the highest areas.
• During summer, north-westerly winds predominate, which, together with the altitude and terrain, encourage cool summer nights with diurnal temperature swings of around 20 °C.
• The soils have a low to medium fertility typical of upland sierra zones, with good drainage and a loam or clay-loam texture, low in organic matter and slightly alkaline.

• Harvest is carried out by hand and is mandatory for each variety at its optimum point of ripeness, allowing bunches to be selected in the vineyard and to arrive at the winery virtually intact.
• Yields per hectare are limited and may not in any case exceed 8,800 kg, as part of the conditions established to guarantee the typicity of the wines.

• The young white, rosé, and red wines are distinguished by their vivid colours alongside a pronounced fruity character on the nose, with a medium-high palate weight.
• The aged red wines retain their depth of colour over an extended period and display complexity on the nose, interweaving varietal fruit aromas with the oak notes contributed by barrel ageing.

• The fruity aromatic profile is due in part to the slowing effect that the mountain climate has on ripening, which enhances fruit-forward aromas, and is further preserved by hand-harvesting, which prevents oxidation of those aromas.

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-A1416
• Official trade body site — JdA — IGP Sierra Sur de Jaén