Vallegarcía

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The vineyard is planted on the Raña del Fresno, a geological substrate described as a formation unique in the world and exclusive to this zone.
• The soil profiles studied at Vallegarcía are classified under Soil Taxonomy as Typic Palexerult, of the Ultisol order, unique among the viticultural soils of Castilla-La Mancha analysed in the research project.
• According to the 2007 FAO classification, the three profiles analysed were classified as Cutanic Alisol, with Ferric Chromic and Ferric Skeletic variants.
• The pH varies by up to 4.1 points between the surface and subsurface horizons of profile 2, falling from 8.9 in the Ap to 4.8 in the Btg1, with low calcium content and high levels of silica, iron, and aluminium.
• The soil contains elevated amounts of rare earth elements such as cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium relative to regional and global reference averages.
• The Bullaque river and its tributaries surround the delimited zone, and together with the coolness of the valleys and the protection the sierra provides against northerly winds, they shape a microclimate that moderates the extreme conditions of both winter and summer.

• The minimum alcoholic strength required at Vallegarcía is 12% vol. for both whites and reds, higher than the 9% and 10% vol. respectively required in the neighbouring IGP Castilla.
• Maximum yield per hectare is limited to 11,500 kg/ha for whites and 14,600 kg/ha for reds, figures below the 16,000 kg/ha limit set by IGP Castilla.

• The wines reach polyphenol levels above 50 meq/l and a colour intensity above 10 absorbance units, with an outstanding tannic structure.
• They display intense aromas of Mediterranean scrubland (rockrose, heather) and balsamic notes (thyme, rosemary, lavender), alongside a pronounced minerality of black slates and quartzites, with a bitter finish that lengthens the wine's persistence.

• The wide diurnal temperature range, driven by elevation above sea level, combined with high rainfall, promotes an outstanding tannic structure, endowing the wines with polyphenol levels above 50 meq/l and a colour intensity above 10 absorbance units.

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)
• National pliego de condiciones (PDF)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-ES-02085
• Official trade body site — Pago Vallegarcía