Vera de Estenas
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- Miocene (predominant) and Quaternary soils; brown calcareous soils with 38% total limestone and 14% active limestone.
- A shallow water table provides differential moisture compared to surrounding areas and moderates diurnal temperature swings.
- pH 8.5 (versus 8.2–8.3 in the surrounding area), due to high calcium carbonate content; soils featuring a calcrete hardpan horizon in contrast to the unconsolidated materials of neighboring plots.
- Natural barriers: Sierra Negrete (to the north, shielding against cold winds), the Magro river (to the south, moderating temperature and humidity), and the rambla de Estenas (eastern boundary).
- A 2-hectare woodland at the heart of the site regulates humidity, buffers winds, prevents late frosts, and slows ripening during summer.
Human factors
- The DOP was applied for by 'Compañía Vinícola del Campo de Requena, S.L.', established to bring together vineyard owners from the area.
Product characteristics
- Red wines with deep, bright colors, persistent ripe-fruit aromas, dense yet non-aggressive tannins, and a structure well suited to ageing.
Terroir / wine link
- The shallow water table moderates day-to-night temperature swings, maintaining moisture levels that preserve tartaric acidity at 5–6 g/l.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the the specification.
Sources
- National pliego de condiciones (PDF)
- eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-ES-N1665
- Official trade body site — Vera de Estenas