1 - Fundamentals

Question 1

How many autonomous communitites are there in Spain?

Answer 1

Seventeen

Question 2

Under Vino de Pago (VP), a Pago has the ability to set its own production rules and standards.

True or False?

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What are the three main climate types on mainland Spain?

Answer 3

Maritime

Continental

Mediterranean

Question 4

How many years must a Vino de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VC) exist before applying for promotion to DO status?

Answer 4

Five

Question 5

What are Spain’s three most-populated cities?

Answer 5

Madrid

Barcelona

Valencia

Question 6

Name the clay jars that historically were used to ferment grape must.

Answer 6

Tinajas

Question 7

Who started Vega Sicilia (in 1864) with cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot?

Answer 7

Eloy Lecanda y Chaves

Question 8

What are the four primary quality standards set by a Consejo Regulador to become a DO?

Answer 8

Use of authorized grape varieties,

Production levels,

Winemaking methods,

Aging times

Question 9

Name the only DO exclusively dedicated to the production of vino dulce.

Answer 9

DO Málaga

Question 10

When was the Spanish Denominación de Origen system established by the Wine Statute?

Answer 10

1932

Question 11

What are the two primary grapes used for vinos rosados?

Answer 11

Garnacha Tinta

Tempranillo

Question 12

What is the “Time before Release” for a Reserva rosado under “Traditional” aging requirements?

Answer 12

24 months

Question 13

What vine planting method utilizes a chessboard-like patern in the warmest parts of the country?

Answer 13

Marco real

Question 14

Name the three primary vine training systems used in Spain.

Answer 14

Parral/Pergola

En vaso/Gobelet

Espaldera/Vertical Shoot Positioning

Question 15

Which trellising method allows for the installation of drip irrigation?

Answer 15

Espaldera/VSP

Question 16

Where was the use of drip irrigation pioneered in the 1970’s?

Answer 16

Estate of Marqués de Griñón

(VP Dominio de Valdepusa)

Question 17

What are Spain’s five most-planted varieties, which represent 60% of Spain’s vineyard area?

Answer 17

Airén

Tempranillo

Bobal

Garnacha Tinta

Macabeo/Viura

Question 18

What are the two significant lowland areas in Spain?

Answer 18

Ebro Basin

Andalusian Plain

Question 19

What additional piece of information must be present on a label for a sparkling wine compared to a still wine?

Answer 19

Sugar content

Question 20

What is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula?

Answer 20

The Tajo River

Question 21

Which major river flows eastward towards the Mediterranean Sea rather than westward towards the Atlantic Ocean?

Answer 21

The Ebro River

Question 22

To be considered for a promotion to a DOCa/DOQ, how long must the region be a DO?

Answer 22

Minimum ten years

Question 23

Which three autonomous regions in Spain produce approximately 60% of the country’s total wine production?

Answer 23

Castilla-La Mancha

Cataluña

Rioja

Question 24

What is the climate of Las Islas Canarias?

Answer 24

Subtropical

Question 25

What is Spain’s highest peak?

Answer 25

Pico del Teide

(Tenerife, Las Islas Canarias)

Question 26

What is the Spanish name for the mixture of yeast and sugar used to initiate a second fermentation in a vino espumoso?

Answer 26

Licor de tiraje

Question 27

What is the “Time in Barrel” for a Gran Reserva vino tinto utilizing “Traditional” aging requirements?

Answer 27

18 months