Toro

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Vineyard altitude ranges from 620 m to 840 m, with the highest elevations found in the southwestern part of the delimited area.
• The gentle relief is shaped by the Duero river, its tributary the Talanda, and the Guareña and Hornija rivers, which mould the terrain into valleys and terraces.
• The soil consists of sediments of sandstone, clay and calcareous conglomerates from the Pliocene, which at the surface give rise to brown calcareous soils over unconsolidated material, belonging to the Tertiary Period.
• Soil texture is generally sandy loam, with scant organic matter (under 1%), a pH slightly acidic to neutral between 6 and 7, except in the southwestern area where it is around 8, and poor in trace elements except for iron.
• The climate is continental and extreme with Atlantic influences, semi-arid in character, with a lack of moisture and frequent spring frosts.

• The native variety Tinta de Toro is ampelographically and genetically similar to Tempranillo, but with lower yields, more tannic, rich in potassium and less acidic, giving more concentrated wines.
• Winegrowers have historically championed this variety, with documented references dating back to the 6th century in Isidore of Seville's Etymologiae, and treat powdery mildew naturally with sulphur without resorting to large-scale phytosanitary treatments.

• Toro wines are more structured than those of neighbouring areas with similar varieties, with a greater polyphenolic and tannic component, less acidity and higher pH.
• Quality sparkling wines show a fine, persistent bead, a long-lasting collar of bubbles, and are fresh and balanced with good volume on the palate.

• The soil's high iron content, together with the advanced age of the vines, contribute to the remarkably high amount of colouring matter found in Toro wines.
• Climatic conditions and soil types shape the wines' nose, structure and alcohol content, which is high.

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-A0886
• Official trade body site — D.O. Toro