30 - Spain

Question 1

What are the 3 (broadly speaking) climatic zones in Spain?

Answer 1

north and north-west coast: moderate maritime dominated by Atlantic weather systems. High rainfall.

east coast: warm Mediterranean. Many vineyards moderated by sea influence/altitude. Climate is even hotter further south.

Meseta Central (large plateau in center of Spain): cut off from sea influence by mountains: Hot continental. Summer temps are very high but can be moderated by cool nights of high altitude sites.

Question 2

What are the biggest challenges to grape growing in Spain?

Answer 2

heat and lack of water. with exception of north-west Spain.
this means fungal disease is low. but vine gets heavy stress. Low density, bush training vineyards help manage - maximizes the amount of water available to each vine.

Question 3

True/False: For Spanish red wines, the best examples are usually matured in a proportion of new oak (traditionally American but now French)

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What is Spain’s premier black grape variety? What are its characteristics?

Answer 4

Tempranillo. Grown widely throughout northern and central Spain.

Thick-skinned
medium acid
best in areas where summer temps are moderated by the sea.
can produce fresh young (Joven, strawberry-scented)
can also produce ageworthy, more concentration.

Question 5

What are the characteristics of Grenache that is grown in Spain?

Answer 5

High in alcohol. usually matures early.

low-yielding old vines enable production of intense, complex, full-bodied reds, which are important in Priorat.

Question 6

What are characteristics of Monastrell (Mourvedre) grown in Spain?

Answer 6

thick-skinned grape variety that is drought-tolerant
needs hot and sunny to ripen.
grown in south-eastern DOs like Yecla and Jumilla.
deep color, full body, high tannin, high alcohol, low to medium acid, ripe blackberry.

Question 7

What are Spanish black grape varieties commonly grown?

Answer 7

Graciano: part of the blend in many fine wines. Small quantities add concentrated black fruit, acid, tannins to structure of blend.
Carinena (Carignan or Mazuelo): high acid, tannin, color. Often blended with Tempranillo and Garnacha
Mencia: moderate climate, fresh fruit, medium to high acidity, sometimes a hint of herbaceousness

Question 8

True/False: most of Spain’s white varieties are fresh and fruity, and harvested at night/early morning and fermented in temp contorlled stainles steel

Answer 8

True. This helps retain delicate fruit aromas.

However, some producers use oak fermentation and maturation, as well as lees stirring.

Question 9

What are the prominent white grape varieties grown in Spain?

Answer 9

Verdejo - white grape variety, highly susceptible to oxidation. used to make Sherry-like wines. It can also be made in style similar to Sauv Blanc.
Albarino - thick-skinned and able to resist fungal disease. Naturally high in acidity and can produce refreshing wines with citrus and stone fruit, or a richer fuller bodied style.
Airen - most planted variety in Spain. Majority is planted in La Mancha in central Spain. One of a few varieties that can cope with very hot conditions of Meseta Central. usually made into Brandy de Jerez.
Viura/Macabeo - mainstay of heavily oaked white Riojas traditionally.

Question 10

Which international varieties are grown in Spain?

Answer 10

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay

Question 11

What is the PDO/PGI system defined in Spanish wine laws?

Answer 11

PDO wines:
-commonly called Denomacion de Origen Protegida, or DOP
-traditional names:
Denominacion de Origen (DO) or
Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOCa) or
Vinos de Pago (VP): applies to small number of single estates with high reputations

PGI wines:
Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)

Question 12

What are the requirements to apply for DOCa?

Answer 12

DOs of at least 10 years standing may apply.

Question 13

What are the only two DOCas at present?

Answer 13

Rioja and Priorat

Question 14

Which DOCa uses the Catalan terminology of Denominacio d’Origen Qualiicada (DOQ)?

Answer 14

Priorat

Question 15

What are the 4 age categories of wine under Spanish law?

Answer 15

Joven - no minimum ageing
Crianza - 24 months (reds), 18 months (white and rose)
Reserva - 36 months (reds), 24 months (white and rose)
Gran Reserva - 60 months (reds), 48 (white and rose)

*includes time spent in barrel, which ranges 6-18 months for Crianza, reserva and gran reserva wines.

Question 16

What are the 6 geographical regions that the principal DO regions in Spain are divided into?

Answer 16

Upper Ebro, Catalunya, Duero Valley, the North West, the Levante, and Castilla-la Mancha.

Question 17

Which is the most extensive region of Spain dedicated to producing Vino de la Tierra (Spanish IGP wine)?

Answer 17

Castilla y Leon, which is north of the Meseta Central

Question 18

What DOs are in the Upper Ebro?

Answer 18

Rioja, Navarra, Carinena and Calatayud

Question 19

What are the three sub-regions of Rioja and what are their characteristics?

Answer 19

Rioja Alavesa: lightest Rioja with most finesse.
Rioja Alta: larger region.
both Rioja Alavesa and Alta are moderated by the Atlantic Ocean in terms of climate.
Rioja Baja: to the east - less maritime climate. Hotter summers. Drought can be an issue here. Garnacha grows best here.

Tempranillo dominates. does best in cooler western sub-regions. red fruit flavors and medium tannin, main component in red blends. Often blended with Garnacha which adds body and alcohol. Mazuelo and Graciano are planted and play support role in blends.

Question 20

What is the winemaking process/or options for Rioja?

Answer 20

can be made in range of ways.
semi-carbonic maceration -> vibrant red fruit, low tannin for early drinking styles

for long-term maturation - wines undergo traditional fermentation, some may undergo vigorous cap management and extended maceration -> deep color, full of fruit.

Oak is very important in Rioja. Producers use American (vanilla) or France or European countries (spice, subtle)

for white wines - traditionally, the whites were aged for extended periods in American oak. developed deep golden color and nutty flavors. modern consumers prefer minimal oxygen contact to preserve fruit.

Question 21

What varieties are grown in Navarra DO and what are the characteristics of wine they produce?

Answer 21

Tempranillo - most widely planted. Mostly made into red wine. either blended with other Rioja varieties or with Cabernet/Merlot. Quality ranges from Joven to top quality Gran Reserva

Garnacha - often used for rose. For rose, grapes picked earlier when lower sugar and higher acid and handled protectively.

Question 22

Where are Carinena and Calatayud located? What is their climate?

Answer 22

in the south of the Ebro region. Warm continental climates, low rainfall

Question 23

What is the main variety in Carinena and Calatayud? What are characteristics of wines made from this variety?

Answer 23

Garnacha.

Range of styles from inexpensive to higher quality wines made from old vine Garnacha and Carinena.

Question 24

What DOs lie in Catalunya?

Answer 24

Catalunya is a generic DO for still wines that covers the region (unlike other spanish regions). Lies along Mediterranean.

Penedes - large DO iwth 3 climatic zones. a wide variety of wine styles. Most planted white grapes are used for Cava. International varieties also planted.

Priorat - lie inland away from sea - long hot drysummers, low rainfall -> ideal conditions for old Garnacha and Carinena vines which are late ripening. red slate soils known as ilicorella. mechanization not possible due to steep slopes. low nutrient soils and vine age -> low yields, high quality.

Question 25

What is the name of the best soils that consist of layers of red slate with small mica particles that sparkle in sun? where are they found?

Answer 25

Ilicorella
Priorat
they help ripening because they reflect nd conserve heat.

Question 26

What are the characteristics of red Priorat?

Answer 26

deep color, high tannin, medium to high alcohol. black fruit.
new French oak -> toasty
made primarily rom Garnacha and Carinena, but some producers add international varieties like Cabernet

Question 27

Which DOs are located in the Duero Valley?

Answer 27

Ribera del Duero - surrounded by ring of mountains that cut off maritime influence -> hot dry summers. cold winters. On highest part of Meseta Central -> high altitude means cool nighttime temps, encouraging fresh fruit and acid. mainly produces red wine from Tempranillo. the best reds are dark color, high tannin. Garnacha and int’l varieties like Cab,Malbec,Merlot grown as well.

Toro - similar climate to Ribera del Duero. Reds mostly made Tempranillo, full body, high alcohol. Reservas and Gran Reservas very deep color, tannic and age well.

Rueda - focuses on white wine from Verdejo and Sauvignon. Continental climate with cool summer nights.

Question 28

What climate influences in the North West region of Spain make it particularly suitable to producing many of Spain’s best whites?

Answer 28

Because of Atlantic influence, north-west Spain is cooler and wetter than rest of Spain.

Question 29

What are the best wines from which grape variety made in the North West of Spain?

Answer 29

Albarino from Rias Baixas DO

Question 30

What are the two main DOs of the North West region of Spain?

Answer 30

Rias Baixas: moderate, damp climate -> mildew and rot are problems. Vines are therefore trained on pergolas to increase circulation. Known for Albarino

Bierzo - red wine DO. Lies in mountains that mark the boundary between Galicia and the Meseta Central. Moderate climate with cooling maritime influence. Mencia is key grape -> elegant reds, high acid, red fruit. Best wines from old vines grown on stony steep slopes. wines unoaked or oaked.

Question 31

What are the styles of Albarino made from Rias Baixas DO?

Answer 31

Mostly made refreshing, unoaked, naturally high acid with ripe stone fruit.

Richer style: oak or lees stirring

Question 32

Where is the Levante located?

Answer 32

on the Mediterranean coast, south of Catalunya

Question 33

What are the DOs located in the Levante?

Answer 33

Valencia - large DO, good value for money. Local and int’l varieties. Monastrell is most planted red. Merseguera and Muscat of Alexandria (which makes the Moscatel de Vlancia, sweet fortified) are dominant white varieties planted.

Jumilla and Yecla - hot, arid climates because they’re further inland than Valencia. Ideal growing conditions for Monastrell, local black variety. Youthful fruity.

Question 34

Which of Spain’s wine regions is responsible for almost half of Spain’s total wine production?

Answer 34

Castilla-La Mancha

Question 35

What are the DOs located in Castilla-La Mancha?

Answer 35

La Mancha - largest DO in Spain. Airen is most widely planted -> neutral, fresh whites. Plantings of Airen are being overtaken by Tempranillo and int’l varieties. Makes good value wines for export market.
trend for top-quality pagos wines began here.

Valdepenas - DO immediately south of La Mancha. Airen most widely planted. Tempranillo main black variety, made varietally and blended with int’l varieties. Greater reputation for quality than La Mancha.