20.9 - Other Spain

Question 1

Describe the situation, growing environment and wines of the Basque Country.

Answer 1

Situation north coast of Spain split in the middle by the Cantabrian mountains (south of these are Rioja Alavesa)

Growing environment northern DOs have moderate, maritime influence with rainfall as high as 1600mm

Wine Txakoli is a dry white made from Hondarrabi Zuri with high acid, low alcohol, med(-) body and fresh apple, pear, lemon flavours

Question 2

Name a key viticultural challenge when making Txakoli

Answer 2

High rainfall producing disease pressure

Question 3

Describe the situation, growing environment and wines of the Sierra de Gredos.

Answer 3

Situation mountain range west of Madrid, no DO

Growing environment continental, high altitude 600-1200

Wines:

1. Old vine Garnacha with med(+) acid and cherry fruit, good-very good quality

2. White from Albillo Real, citrus and floral with med-med(+) acid and full-bodied, usually fermented in oak or on-skins

The quality of production has increased drastically with the arrival of small, low intervention winemaking

Question 4

Describe the wine produced on the Balearic Islands

Answer 4

Manto Negro - pale, red fruit, high alcohol

Callet - red fruit, med-med(+) acid, med alcohol

Monastrell, Tempranillo, Malvasia also found

Int’l varieties

Question 5

Describe the situation and growing environment of the Canary Islands.

Which grapes are grown?

Answer 5

Situation off the coast of Morocco, 500km south of Madeira

Growing environment tropical influence, elevation crucial moderating factor up to 1500m, with range of aspects/altitudes

Wine Listan Negro, Malvasia, Listan Blanco (Palomino), Iberian varieties and field blends

Question 6

Why are the Canary Islands suitable for such a range of grape varieties?

Answer 6

Diversity of altitudes and aspects gives various growing conditions

Question 7

Describe the style of wine produced from Listan Negro

Answer 7

Raspberry and plum

Light-medium body

Medium tannin

Carbonic maceration common

Question 8

Describe the growing environment, viticulture and wine produced on Lanzarote.

Answer 8

Growing environment Flat unlike most islands with dark volcanic ash

Viticulture Growers plant vines in craters dug into the soil to protect from wind and collect moisture –> density and yield

Wine Malvasia is most popular in dry and sweet styles

Question 9

What is distinctive about Valle de Orotava DO in Tenerife?

Answer 9

Several vines are twisted to form ropes trained along low wires which grow on the hillsides

Traditional to make space beneath for other crops