20 - Spain Flashcards
Describe the recent history of wine production in Spain (8)
c19th - Civil wars force some winemakers e.g. Marques de Murrieta into exile in Bordeaux where they pick up expertise such as barrel maturation
c19th - Phylloxera in France results in rising demand for Spanish wine especially Rioja shipped via station in Haro
c20th - Phylloxera devastates Spain; demand falls due to recovery in France and lost of Spanish colonies –> many indigenous grapes go extinct
1907-1926 - Exports Syndicate and then regulatory council established in Rioja
c20th - Civil war and economic isolation prevent investment in Spanish winemaking and limit export markets –> wine production continues but through co-ops
1960s - Miguel Torres returns from abroad to plant int’l varieties and implement temp controlled SST, wine lab
1970/80s - end of Franco and greater econ freedom; joining EU meant more foreign investment and greater mkt opportunities
1996 - legalisation of some irrigation –> large expansion in viable vineyard area
Outline the three broad climates that exist in Spain
Generally warm due to latitude with:
- Maritime NW - Atlantic influence, high rainfall, mountains can help shield and provide more continental climate RIAS BAIXAS, RIBEIRA SACRA, BIERZO
- Continental centre - meseta covering central Spain, 600-900m, hot days but cold nights LA MANCHA, TORO, RUEDA, RIBERA, RIOJA, NAVARRA, CALATAYUD, CARIENEA
- Mediterranean South/East - climate moderates by sea breezes; warm, dry summers with mild winters CATALUNYA, VALENCIA, ALICANTE, YECLA, JUMILLA
Where does Spain sit in the global rankings of vineyard area, production volume and export price.
Vineyard area - 969,000ha - largest in the world
Production (volume) - 39mn hL - #3
Export (price) - lowest of any major exporter - 1/2 Italy and 1/5 France
What kind of planting density is common is Spain and why? (3)
Low density - often as low as 1,000 VPH
Dry + hot climate - water scarce - low density to reduce competition
This explain why vineyard area is largest but production is #3
Under what circumstances is irrigation allowed? (3)
Varies regionally, usually allowed for:
- Establishment of young vines
- Extreme drought
- Beginning of growing season while prohibited in ripening period
Why is mildew a concern nationally despite the dry climate?
Heavy storms + warm temps afterwards create mildew risk
Where is spring frost a concern?
Areas with a continental climate
What is the most common vineyard pest in Spain?
What impact do they have?
What is the most common way of dealing with them?
European grapevine moths - attack flowers/grapes –> reduces yield and wounds create opportunity for fungal and bacteria disease
Pheromone traps
To what extent is organic viticulture practised in Spain?
High % of certified organic - 12% but proportion much higher if including practising organic
What is the average size of vineyard holdings in Spain?
What is the implication of this for vineyard management?
<0.5ha = 66%
0.5-3ha = 22%
Limited mechanisation
Why is Spain’s rank in terms of production by volume much lower than its rank by vineyard area?
- Low density planting due to dry, warm conditions
- Prevalence of old vines prized for their quality fruit
What are the six most widely planted grape varieties in Spain?
N.B. as of 2021, Tempranillo is now the most widely planted
Describe where Airen is planted and what it is used for.
Planted in central Castilla-La Mancha
Used to make neutral white wines and distilled to produce Brandy de Jerez
Where is Tempranillo planted, what is it used for and what climates does it prefer? How does it yield?
Planted widely especially in Rioja as well as Ribera del Duero and Toro
Used for red wine of varying quality depending on yield and climatic conditions; blended or single varietal
Climates Early ripening so best in warm climates with cooling influence
Yield are medium-high –> popularity
Describe the characteristics of Bobal including:
Why it is suited to warm climates
Difficulties cultivating the variety
Yield
Colour
Flavour
Styles of wine production
Quality Price
Warm climates drought tolerant and able to retain acidity (also mid-late budding –> continental climates)
Difficulties uneven ripening, vigour
Yields high
Colour deep –> popular for blending in inexpensive wine
Flavour Blackberry, blackcherry, chocolate
Styles:
- Deeply coloured rosé
- High acid, med tannin, light-bodied red made with semi-carbo
- High acid, med(+) tannin, med(+)-full body made from old vines and oak
Quality-Price Acceptable-VG/Inexpensive-mid-priced
Describe where Garnacha Tinta is planted and what it is used for.
Planted in central north/north-east Rioja, Navarra, CAtalunya, Aragon
Used for red and rose
Describe where Macabeo is planted and what it is used for.
Planted in Catalunya and Rioja (Viura)
Used for early drinking, inexpensive white wines, Cava and premium, oak-matured whites in Rioja
Describe where Monastrell is planted (and why) and what it is used for.
Planted in Valencia and Murcia - late ripening
Used for red wines
Describe the features of typical winemaking for youthful fruity wines including reds, whites and rose (6)
Fermentation in SST
Temp control
Inert gas
Cultured yeast
Fining/filtration
Carob/semi-carbo
What vessels are popular for fermentation and ageing for premium red and white?
SST as well
Oak especially for maturation
Concrete tanks/eggs
Amphorae
Outline the national legislation for oak ageing for reds and whites/rose. Plus the size of barrels stipulated.
Hint:
- Reds: x4, x3, x3.3
- Whites/Rose: x3, x4, x8
Max barrel size is 330L
Outline the criticisms of Spain’s barrel-maturation hierarchy (3).
In which regions is it more or less popular?
What alternative terms are being used to indicate quality/age/mautration? (2)
- Associates barrel ageing with better quality - no other quality requirements stipulated
- Ignores styles that are better without barrel maturation
- Doesn’t allow for alternative maturation vessels e.g. amphorae
More popular in Rioja and Ribera
Less popular in Bierzo, Priorat
Alternative terms:
- Roble (“oak”) often less ageing than crianza
- Joven (“young”) little or no maturation
Why is American oak popular in Spain? (2)
To what extent is oak for different origins mixed?
- Historical trading relationship
- Cheaper than French oak
Often mixed for winemaker to balance characters of each
Describe the modern and traditional styles of rose produced in Spain (3)
Modern
- High vol, inexpensive - deeply coloured with short amceration, fermented in SST and bottled quickly
- Pale, Provence-style via DP, fermented in SST –> some may have lees ageing for texture
Traditional
- Deeply coloured, fermented and aged in oak with lees contact with short maceration of black grapes and blended with white grapes –> complex with 2nd and 3rd flavours
Describe the PDO/PGI/non-GI hierarchy in Spain
DOCa/DOQ - DO for >10yrs, bottled by producer, tasting panel and audits, only Rioja and Priorat
DO - 70 in Spain, vast majority of plantings
Vino de la Tierra (PGI) - 40 in Spain, largest is Castilla
Vino - non-GI
What does VP refer to?
Vin do Pago small number of high rep estates mainly in Castilla-La Mancha (Navarra, Valencia, Aragon)
May only used own grapes - made and matured on the estate
What do Spanish DOs specify?
Can wine from DOs be bulk shipped?
Set by respective Consejo Regulador
- Max yield
- Permitted varieties
- Vineyard practices incl. irrigation
- Winemaking incl. ageing
- Packaging regs
Bulk shipping - yes –> wine is not required to be bottled within DO unlike DOCa/DOQ
Describe the structure of production within Spain.
Name Spain’s three largest producers of still, unfortified wine.
Many regions dominated by co-ops
Negociants common in some regions
Estate produced wine is a small % of production
J. García Carrión - operates wineries in 10 DOs incl. Rioja, Ribera, Valdepenas, Jumilla, La Mancha with 13 brands
Félix Solís Avantis - wineries in Rioja, Ribera, Toro, Rueda, La Macha, Valdepenas
Pernod Ricard Groupe - owns Campo Viejo
Outline sales trends in Spain between DO and non-DO wine
Total domestic consumption is low and falling with shift towards DO wines
How much wine does Spain export per year? What % of that is bulk?
21mn hL in 2018, world’s largest exporter by volume –> France and Germany
56% is bulk - means average export value is 1/2 Italy, 1/5 France
What are the disadvantages of exporting such a large % of wine in bulk?
Fierce price competition from other regions shipping in bulk e.g. Australia
A proportion of profits taken by bottler in target market
Which countries are important markets for Spain’s premium wine?
USA in particular
Which groups help to promote Spanish wine?
Foods and Wines from Spain - information, education, promotion
Consejo Reguladores of each DO and VT
