REGIJA / REGION
Toro je vinska regija u Castilla y Leonu, sjeverozapadna Španjolska, poznata po snažnim crvenim vinima od Tempranilla. Ime je dobio po gradu Toro, drevnom naselju koje se nalazi na rijeci Duero (koja dijeli sjevernu polovicu regije) samo 65 milja istočno od portugalske granice. Španjolska riječ toro znači ‘bik’, i iako je nejasno kako je došlo do imena grada, bik je ipak prikladan simbol za robusna, crvena Toro vina. Vina koja se proizvode oko Toroa poštuju se već stotinama godina (vinogradarstvo ovdje potječe iz predrimskih vremena). Što se tiče sorti grožđa, Tinta de Toro (lokalni oblik Tempranilla) daleko je dominantna sorta grožđa u Torou. Uzgaja se i manja količina Garnacha, uglavnom za upotrebu u Toro Rosado (regionalno vino iz roséa), uz male količine malvazije Blanca i Verdejo za upotrebu u bijelom Toro Blancu. Klima je izrazito kontinentalna, kao i druge vinske regije kastiljske visoravni (susjedne Rueda, Cigales i Ribera del Duero). To znači vruća, suha ljeta, nakon kojih slijede hladne i oštre zime. Iako se prostrani prostori Atlantskog oceana nalaze na sjeveru i zapadu, Torovi vinogradi lišeni su bilo kakvog značajnog pomorskog utjecaja Cordillera Cantábrica, planinskog lanca koji dijeli Castilla y Leon od sjeverne obale Španjolske. Temperature se ovdje kreću od (–11C do 36C), a godišnji prosjek padalina je vrlo nizak – samo 350 mm. Rijeka Duero pruža prijeko potreban izvor vode, a vinogradi se vrlo malo udaljavaju od njezina puta. Nadmorska visina igra važnu ulogu u Torovom terroiru. Regija se nalazi u samom srcu Castilla y Leona, na prostranoj, visokoj visoravni koja dijeli planine Cordillera Cantábrica i Sistema Central. Većina Toro vinograda nalazi se na visinama između 600m i 850m iznad razine mora, što pomaže da se klima hladi malo; temperatura zraka padne oko 0.6C na svakih 100m nadmorske visine. Visoke dnevne temperature, slaba količina oborina i obilno sunce stvaraju snažna, visoko-alkoholna vina. Ako ga se ne provjeri, grožđe tempranillo iz Toroa sazrijelo bi s vrlo visokim potencijalom alkohola, što bi rezultiralo vinom do 16% alkohola po volumenu (ABV). Lokalni zakoni o vinu (kako ih je donio Consejo Regulador de Toro) nameću gornju granicu od 15% ABV-a, ali u praksi većina proizvođača pokušava zadržati razinu alkohola ispod 13,5% kako bi vina bila pristupačna i uravnotežena. Toro-ova crvena vina mogu biti označena terminima kao što su Joven, Crianza, Reserva i Gran Reserva.
Torov očiti potencijal kao vinske regije potaknuo je proizvođače vina iz drugih regija (španjolskih i stranih) da tamo uspostave vinarije. Među njima su istaknuti Numanthia-Termes, Vega Sicilia Pintia, Bodegas Mauro (Eduardo Garcia) i Campo Elíseo (Michel Rolland i Francois Lurton). Taj sve veći interes pomogao je pomlađivanju regije Toro i njezinih vina – učinak koji se prelio u druge dijelove Castilla y Leona
Toro is a wine region in Castilla y Leon, northwestern Spain, known for its strong red wines from Tempranilla. It is named after the town of Toro, an ancient settlement located on the Duero River (which divides the northern half of the region) just 65 miles east of the Portuguese border. The Spanish word toro means ‘bull’, and although it is unclear how the name of the city came about, the bull is nevertheless a suitable symbol for robust, red Toro wines. The wines produced around Toro have been respected for hundreds of years (viticulture here dates back to pre-Roman times). As for grape varieties, Tinta de Toro (local form of Tempranilla) is by far the dominant grape variety in Toro. A smaller amount of Garnach is also grown, mainly for use in Toro Rosado (regional rosé wine), with small amounts of Malvasia Blanca and Verdejo for use in white Toro Blanco. The climate is distinctly continental, as are other wine regions of the Castilian plateau (neighboring Rueda, Cigales and Ribera del Duero). That means hot, dry summers, followed by cold and harsh winters. Although the vast expanses of the Atlantic Ocean are to the north and west, the Tor vineyards are devoid of any significant maritime influence of the Cordillera Cantábrico, a mountain range that separates Castilla y Leon from the north coast of Spain. Temperatures here range from (–11C to 36C), and the annual average rainfall is very low – only 350 mm. The Duero River provides a much-needed source of water, and the vineyards are very little away from its path. Altitude plays an important role in Thor’s terroir. The region is located in the heart of Castilla y Leon, on a vast, high plateau that divides the Cordillera Cantábrica and Sistema Central mountains. Most Toro vineyards are located at altitudes between 600m and 850m above sea level, which helps to cool the climate a bit; the air temperature drops about 0.6C every 100m above sea level. High daily temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sun create strong, high-alcohol wines. If not checked, the Tempranillo grapes from Toro would ripen with a very high alcohol potential, resulting in wine up to 16% alcohol by volume (ABV). Local wine laws (as enacted by the Consejo Regulador de Toro) impose an upper limit of 15% ABV, but in practice most producers try to keep alcohol levels below 13.5% to make wines affordable and balanced. Toro’s red wines can be labeled with terms such as Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. Tor’s obvious potential as a wine region has encouraged wine producers from other regions (Spanish and foreign) to set up wineries there. Among them are Numanthia-Termes, Vega Sicilia Pintia, Bodegas Mauro (Eduardo Garcia) and Campo Elíseo (Michel Rolland and Francois Lurton). This growing interest has helped rejuvenate the Toro region and its wines – an effect that has spilled over into other parts of Castilla y Leon.
