2. Green Spain

Question 1

Which Galician city is the pilgrimage destination for the Camino de Santiago, along which wine production would develop?

Answer 1

Santiago de Compostela

Question 2

What is vino tostado and what is it also known as?

Answer 2

A historic fortified white wine of Ribeiro, made from sun dried grapes and consumed by pilgrims. It’s also known as Tostado do Ribeiro.

Question 3

Where was Galicia’s historic center of wine production from the Middle Ages and into the 18th century?

Answer 3

Ribeiro

Question 4

Galicia is known for quality wine from local grapes. What are the three most important?

Answer 4

Albarino, Godello, Mencia

Question 5

Submerged river valleys open to the sea

Answer 5

Rias. Galicia is known as the “country of the thousand rivers” largely because of the numerous rias.

Question 6

T or F? DO Valdeorras generally has a cooler climate than DO Rias Baixas due to its elevation

Answer 6

F. This is never discussed in the text but as it is further inland, there are less maritime influences generally, and typically warmer temperatures.

Question 7

T or F? The Tea and the Mino rivers are the two most important in Galicia.

Answer 7

F. The Sil and the Mino are the most important

Question 8

Describe a “parral.” What two objectives does their design accomplish?

Answer 8

Horizontal trellises, usually made of granite, that typically sit up to 7 feet above ground.

Their design allows for ventilation of the canopy, which is important given the high amount of precipitation and humidity in the area, in addition to allowing for farmers to grow a second crop on the ground below the elevated vines.

Question 9

The western part of the cordillera Cantabrica mountain range, which is found in Galicia, is known as ______________.

Answer 9

Macizo Galaico or the Galician Massif

Question 10

The dominant soil type of Galicia is ___________. It is suited for the damp climate because___________.

Answer 10

Granite. It is porous and provides excellent drainage.

Question 11

T or F? Galicia is primarily known for red wines such as the native Mencia.

Answer 11

F. It produces more white wines than red. Mencia comes from Castilla y Leon.

Question 12

How would barrel fermentation impact white wines?

Answer 12

It allows for micro oxidation, resulting in fuller bodied more powerful wines capable of ageing, rather than fresh, acidic wines intended for early consumption.

Question 13

What does the Monterrei Superior bottle label designate?

Answer 13

A DO Monterrei wine made with a minimum of 85% of any approved native variety.

Question 14

What is the most recently added subzone in DO Rias Baixas?

Answer 14

Ribeira do Ulla, added in 2000

Question 15

Which were the original three subzones of DO Rias Baixas?

Answer 15

Val do Salnes, Condado do Tea, O Rosal

Question 16

The birthplace of Albarino is found in this subzone.

Answer 16

Val do Salnes

Question 17

More than _____% of Rias Baixas’ total area under vine is found in ____________.

Answer 17

50%, Val do Salnes

Question 18

Based on its location, which Rias Baixas subzone is the coolest?

Answer 18

Val do Salnes

Question 19

Which Rias Baixas subzone is characterised as the warmest, most continental, most mountainous, and second largest?

Answer 19

Condado do Tea

Question 20

Which Rias Baixas subzone is situated on the Mino river near the Atlantic?

Answer 20

O Rosal

Question 21

T or F? Val do Salnes is the only subzone producing only Albarino.

Answer 21

F. Soutomaior is the only subzone making exclusively Albarino. It is also the smallest subzone.

Question 22

Some of the best red wines in Rias Baixas comes from subzone ______________.

Answer 22

Ribeira do Ulla

Question 23

What is an “adega”?

Answer 23

Galician term for bodega and refers to small scale family owned wineries.

Question 24

A bottle designated “Rias Baixas Condado do Tea” will be comprised of at least 70% ________ and ________

Answer 24

Albarino and Treixadura. Tea rhymes with Treixa. Know these label designations in Rias Baixas.

Question 25

Bottles labeled Rias Baixas Rosal are at least 70% ________ and ________.

Answer 25

Albarino and Loureira. LouReira alliterates with Rosal

Question 26

T or F. Bottles labeled Rias Baixas Albarino have at least 70% Albarino.

Answer 26

F. They have 100% Albarino

Question 27

T or F. The two designations with the highest number of possible grapes are Rias Baixas Salnes and Rias Baixas Ribeira do Ulla.

Answer 27

T. At least 70% Albarino, Loureira, Treixadura and Caino Blanco.

Question 28

T or F. DO Ribeira Sacra produces mostly red wines

Answer 28

T. 94% red and predominantly Mencia

Question 29

What are the regulatory stipulations of Ribeira Sacra Summum?

Answer 29

Red wines with this designation must have a minimum 85% preferred varieties of which a minimum 60% is Mencia. White wines must be 100% from preferred varietals.

Question 30

The two most important rivers of DO Ribeira Sacra, running through most of the DO, are the _______ and ______ rivers.

Answer 30

Mino and Sil

Question 31

The oldest DO in Galicia is DO ___________.

Answer 31

Ribeiro. It’s believed that Romans planted the first vineyards here.

Question 32

Although historically known for its sweet Tostado do Ribeiro, today DO Ribeiro is known for wines made from ____________.

Answer 32

Treixadura

Question 33

Boutique wineries in DO Ribeiro, producing smaller volumes and having owners who manage the entire production cycle, is known as a _____________.

Answer 33

Colleiteiro

Question 34

Some of the highest quality Godello comes from _____________.

Answer 34

DO Valdeorras, which means “valley of gold.”

Question 35

T or F. Valdeorras “mencia” requires a minimum of 85% of the grape but Valdeorras “Godello” must be 100% Godello.

Answer 35

T

Question 36

Wines in DO Valdeorras with at least 85% preferred varietals are labeled ______ ______ ______

Answer 36

Valdeorras Castas Nobles