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Cigales has always been associated with aromatic & rosé wines . But once the area was granted DO status, producers began to show an interest in making red wines as well, following the example of other Duero valley DOs, and, above all, given the enormous potential of the region's reigning variety, Tempranillo , also known here as Tinta del País. Certainly, the soil, climate and grapes of this small growing area (still less than 3,000 hectares) as well as the first results attained by the bodegas, promise well for the future. In fact, the DO Regulatory Council is presently drafting new regulations that will include other varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for reds, and Sauvignon Blanc for rosés - to enhance the wines.
Meanwhile, this remains the most traditional of the DOs in Castile and Leon . Bodegas buy in from family village vineyards, called majuelos , where the work throughout the year and the harvesting itself are generally done by the families themselves. However, the DO is also beginning to attract new outside investment from both the public and private sector as a result of its recent adaptation of its wines to current tastes.
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Fact file
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CRDO address:
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C/ Corro Vaca, nº5
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47270 Cigales
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Valladolid
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Spain
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DO established
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1991
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Last updated
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-
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Telephone
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+34-983-580-074
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Fax
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+34-983-586-590
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E-mail
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consejo@do-cigales.es
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Website
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www.do-cigales.es
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Vineyards:
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Subzones
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-
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Area under vine
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2,750 ha
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Area in full production
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2,643 ha
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Altitude of vineyards
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700-800 m
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Soil types
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The ground is formed by tertiary and quaternary sediments: sands and limestones rests on clays
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Principal grapes (w)
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Albillo, Verdejo
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Principal grapes (r)
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Tempranillo, Garnacha, Garnacha Gris
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Permitted grapes (w)
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-
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Permitted grapes (r)
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-
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Experimental grapes (w)
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Sauvignon Blanc
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Experimental grapes (r)
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Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot
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Organic viticulture
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-
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Climate:
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Max. summer temp.
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39ºC
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Min. Winter temp.
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- 6ºC
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Average rainfall
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425 mm annually
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Average sunshine
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2,616 hours annually
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Production:
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Maximum crop
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7,000 kg/ha
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Yield
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70%
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Equivalent hl/ha
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49 hl/ha
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Production 2001
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31,500 hl
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Production 2002
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46,200 hl
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Production 2003
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77,700 hl
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Production 2004
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70,700 hl
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Production 2005
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59,500 hl
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Wine alcohol content:
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White
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-
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Pink
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min 11% abv.
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Red
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min 11% abv.
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Other
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-
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Ageing in oak:
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Crianza
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12 months aok, 12 months bottle released 01-Dec vintage +2
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Reserva
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12 months aok, 12 months bottle released 01-Dec vintage +3
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Gran Reserva
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12 months aok, 12 months bottle released 01-Dec vintage +5
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Wineries:
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Number of Wineries
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38
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Total exports - 2001
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1,424.76 hl
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Total exports - 2002
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480.85 hl
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Total exports - 2003
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1,525.79 hl
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Total exports - 2004
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3,425.16 hl
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Total exports - 2005
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7,173.60 hl
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