Dominio de Valdepusa

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The Dominio de Valdepusa Denominación de Origin de Pago is one of five Denominaciones de Origen de Pago in Spain. This is the highest category on the quality scale of Spanish wines and means that in addition to having a proven track record of consistent quality, the wines have to be both produced from estate-grown grapes and also have to be processed and aged in a winery (bodega) located on the estate. This DO de Pago is located in the municipality of Malpica del Tajo, in the province of Toledo (Castile-La Mancha, Spain) and acquired its status in 2003.

1 History
2 Climate
3 Soil
4 Vineyards
5 Wines Produced
6 References

[edit] History

The Casadevacas Estate (Finca Casadevacas) estate on which the vineyards and winery are located has been in the family of Carlos Falcó y Fernández de Córdova, the Marqués de Griñón since the 13th century. The vineyards, in three separate plots, were first planted in 1974 (14 ha of Cabernet Sauvignon) a pioneering experiment at that time and in 1991 2.5 ha of Petit Verdot and 5 ha of Syrah vines were planted. There are currently 40 ha planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Merlot. The modern, partly subterranean air-conditioned winery was built inside an existing 18th century building in 1989.

[edit] Climate

The climate is continental, with extreme contrasts not only between the hot dry summer and cold winter, but also between day and night in each season. The mean annual temperature is 17°C ranging from 5° in winter to 26°C in summer. The mean annual rainfall is 400 mm, and the vines receive around 2,800 hours of sunlight per annum.

[edit] Soil

The soils are clay and lime.

[edit] Vineyards

The vineyards are at an altitude of 490 m above sea level. The Australian Richard Smart-Dyson designed the vineyard canopy management system, which is labour intensive but which has the result of increasing the quality of the wine. Drip irrigation, uniform sunshine on bunches and leaves. The maximum authorised yields are:

10000 kg/ha for Cabernet Sauvignon
12000 kg/ha for Petit Verdot
13000 kg/ha for Syrah

[edit] Wines Produced

Four types of wine are produced (three varietals and one blend):

Dominio de Valdepusa Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon, minimum 18 months in French oak, limited production of 76,000 bottles)
Dominio de Valdepusa Syrah (100% Syrah, minimum 11 months in French oak, limited production of 47,000 bottles)
Dominio de Valdepusa Petit Verdot (100% Petit Verdot, minimum 8 months in French oak, limited production of 34,000 bottles)
Dominio de Valdepusa Emeritus (51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, 14% Petit Verdot , minimum 13 months in French oak, limited production of 21,700 bottles plus magnums)