20 - Spain Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the recent history of wine production in Spain (8)

A

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

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2
Q

Outline the three broad climates that exist in Spain

A

Generally warm due to latitude with:

  1. Maritime NW - Atlantic influence, high rainfall, mountains can help shield and provide more continental climate RIAS BAIXAS, RIBEIRA SACRA, BIERZO
  2. Continental centre - meseta covering central Spain, 600-900m, hot days but cold nights LA MANCHA, TORO, RUEDA, RIBERA, RIOJA, NAVARRA, CALATAYUD, CARIENEA
  3. Mediterranean South/East - climate moderates by sea breezes; warm, dry summers with mild winters CATALUNYA, VALENCIA, ALICANTE, YECLA, JUMILLA
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3
Q

Where does Spain sit in the global rankings of vineyard area, production volume and export price.

A

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

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4
Q

What kind of planting density is common is Spain and why? (3)

A

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

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5
Q

Under what circumstances is irrigation allowed? (3)

A

Varies regionally, usually allowed for:

  1. Establishment of young vines
  2. Extreme drought
  3. Beginning of growing season while prohibited in ripening period
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6
Q

Why is mildew a concern nationally despite the dry climate?

A

Heavy storms + warm temps afterwards create mildew risk

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7
Q

Where is spring frost a concern?

A

Areas with a continental climate

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8
Q

What is the most common vineyard pest in Spain?

What impact do they have?

What is the most common way of dealing with them?

A

European grapevine moths - attack flowers/grapes –> reduces yield and wounds create opportunity for fungal and bacteria disease

Pheromone traps

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9
Q

To what extent is organic viticulture practised in Spain?

A

High % of certified organic - 12% but proportion much higher if including practising organic

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10
Q

What is the average size of vineyard holdings in Spain?

What is the implication of this for vineyard management?

A

<0.5ha = 66%

0.5-3ha = 22%

Limited mechanisation

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11
Q

Why is Spain’s rank in terms of production by volume much lower than its rank by vineyard area?

A
  1. Low density planting due to dry, warm conditions
  2. Prevalence of old vines prized for their quality fruit
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12
Q

What are the six most widely planted grape varieties in Spain?

A

N.B. as of 2021, Tempranillo is now the most widely planted

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13
Q

Describe where Airen is planted and what it is used for.

A

Planted in central Castilla-La Mancha

Used to make neutral white wines and distilled to produce Brandy de Jerez

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14
Q

Where is Tempranillo planted, what is it used for and what climates does it prefer? How does it yield?

A

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

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15
Q

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

A

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:

  1. Deeply coloured rosé
  2. High acid, med tannin, light-bodied red made with semi-carbo
  3. High acid, med(+) tannin, med(+)-full body made from old vines and oak

Quality-Price Acceptable-VG/Inexpensive-mid-priced

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16
Q

Describe where Garnacha Tinta is planted and what it is used for.

A

Planted in central north/north-east Rioja, Navarra, CAtalunya, Aragon

Used for red and rose

17
Q

Describe where Macabeo is planted and what it is used for.

A

Planted in Catalunya and Rioja (Viura)

Used for early drinking, inexpensive white wines, Cava and premium, oak-matured whites in Rioja

18
Q

Describe where Monastrell is planted (and why) and what it is used for.

A

Planted in Valencia and Murcia - late ripening

Used for red wines

19
Q

Describe the features of typical winemaking for youthful fruity wines including reds, whites and rose (6)

A

Fermentation in SST

Temp control

Inert gas

Cultured yeast

Fining/filtration

Carob/semi-carbo

20
Q

What vessels are popular for fermentation and ageing for premium red and white?

A

SST as well

Oak especially for maturation

Concrete tanks/eggs

Amphorae

21
Q

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
A

Max barrel size is 330L

22
Q

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)

A
  1. Associates barrel ageing with better quality - no other quality requirements stipulated
  2. Ignores styles that are better without barrel maturation
  3. 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
23
Q

Why is American oak popular in Spain? (2)

To what extent is oak for different origins mixed?

A
  1. Historical trading relationship
  2. Cheaper than French oak

Often mixed for winemaker to balance characters of each

24
Q

Describe the modern and traditional styles of rose produced in Spain (3)

A

Modern

  1. High vol, inexpensive - deeply coloured with short amceration, fermented in SST and bottled quickly
  2. Pale, Provence-style via DP, fermented in SST –> some may have lees ageing for texture

Traditional

  1. 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
25
Q

Describe the PDO/PGI/non-GI hierarchy in Spain

A

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

26
Q

What does VP refer to?

A

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

27
Q

What do Spanish DOs specify?

Can wine from DOs be bulk shipped?

A

Set by respective Consejo Regulador

  1. Max yield
  2. Permitted varieties
  3. Vineyard practices incl. irrigation
  4. Winemaking incl. ageing
  5. Packaging regs

Bulk shipping - yes –> wine is not required to be bottled within DO unlike DOCa/DOQ

28
Q

Describe the structure of production within Spain.

Name Spain’s three largest producers of still, unfortified wine.

A

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

29
Q

Outline sales trends in Spain between DO and non-DO wine

A

Total domestic consumption is low and falling with shift towards DO wines

30
Q

How much wine does Spain export per year? What % of that is bulk?

A

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

31
Q

What are the disadvantages of exporting such a large % of wine in bulk?

A

Fierce price competition from other regions shipping in bulk e.g. Australia

A proportion of profits taken by bottler in target market

32
Q

Which countries are important markets for Spain’s premium wine?

A

USA in particular

33
Q

Which groups help to promote Spanish wine?

A

Foods and Wines from Spain - information, education, promotion

Consejo Reguladores of each DO and VT