30 - Spain Flashcards
3 broad climatic zones in Spain
- the north & north-west coast of Spain:
- Moderate Maritime
- dominated by Atlantic weather systems
- high rainfall - the east coast from Catalunya in the north to the Levante further south:
- Warm Mediterranean
- moderated by sea or altitude, depending on location
- increasingly hot further south - the Mesata Central, a large plateau in the centre of Spain
- Hot Continental
- mostly cut off from the influence of the sea by encircling mountains
- winter: temp. fall below freezing
- summer: temp. are very high & rainfall is very limited
- summer temp. can be moderated by the cool nights of high altitude sites
- biggest challenges to grape growing in Spain
- any exceptions?
- lack of water
- north-west Spain
training in Spain to maximise the amount of water available & shading the fruit from excessive heat
- low density
- bush-trained
why low density planting & bush-trained in Spain
to maximise the amount of water available & shading the fruit from excessive heat
why is wire training is slowly being introduced in Spain where it is practical & affordable
to facilitate machine harvesting
to facilitate machine harvesting, what training is introduced in Spain?
wire training
range of red wine styles in Spain from … to …
inexpensive
- made without oak
- semi-carbonic maceration
best
- almost always oak maturation, usually with at least a proportion of new oak
- trad. American oak - now French oak is also common
Black grapes most used in Spain
(6)
- Tempranillo
- Garnacha Tinta
- Monastrell
- Graciano
- Cariñena/Mazuelo
- Mencia
Spain’s premier black grape variety
Tempranillo
where is Tempranillo widely grown in Spain
throughout the vy of northern & central Spain
Tempranillo (grape)
- thick-skinned
- medium acidity
- needs sufficient warmth to develop its flavours
- hot climates without a high diurnal temp. range could cause the wine to lack the necessary acidity for an ideal balance
- best in areas where summer temp. are moderated by the sea and/or altitude
prod.method for Tempranillo in Spain
- often semi-carbonic maceration –> fresh strawberry scented Joven wine, early drinking style
- also plays a key role in more concentrated ageworthy oaked blends either with the traditional varieties Garnacha, Graciano & Cariñena/Mazuelo or international varieties such as CS
Garnacha Tinta in Spain
- high alcohol
- tendency to mature early (notable exceptions)
- widely used for rosados
- also important in Priorat
(low-yielding old vines –> intense, complex, full-bodied reds)
Monastrell in Spain
(grape & wine)
- Mourvèdre
- thick-skinned
- drought tolerant
- needs hot, sunny conditions to ripen
- grown in south-eastern DOs such as Yecla & Jumilla
fully ripe:
- deeply coloured
- full-bodied
- high tannin & alcohol
- low-med acidity
- flavours of ripe blackberry fruit
Graciano in Spain
- highly valued
- challenging to grow
- cultivated mainly in Rioja (part of the blend in many of the finest wines)
small quantities are used to add
- concentrated black fruit aromas
- acidity & tannins to the structure of a wine
- to help it age
name for Cariñena in Rioja
Mazuelo
2 Spanish names for Carignan
- Cariñena
- Mazuelo
Cariñena/Mazuelo in Spain
- high acidity, tannin & colour
- a small proportion makes an ideal blend with Tempranillo
- also grown in Priorat, where it is blended with Garnacha to enhance the tannic structure of the wines
Mencia in Spain
- local variety
- increasingly coming to prominence
- suits moderate climates
- fresh fruit
- medium-high acidity
- sometimes hint of herbaceousness
key white varieties of Spain (7)
- Verdejo
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Albariño
- Airén
- Parellada
- Xarel-lo
- Macabeo/Viura
most of Spain’s white wines are …
fresh & fruity
what help retain delicate fruit aromas in white wine in Spain?
- harvesting at night or early morning
- fermenting in temp.contr. ss vessels
production methods for white wine in Spain
- fermenting in temp.contr. ss vessels
- some use oak fermentation & maturation
- some use lees stirring to add texture & different flavours
Verdejo in Spain
- white
- highly susceptible to oxication
- was used to make Sherry-like wines
with protective winemaking:
- light-bodied
- high-acid
- melon & peach flavoured
- similar in style to SB, with which it is often blended
can also be made in a
- richer
- fuller-bodied style
- undergone skin contact & barrel fermentation
Albariño in Spain
- grown in the north-west
- has become a particularly fashionable grape variety
- thick-skinned –> able to resist fungal disease
- naturally high in acidity
- can produce refreshing wines with citrus & stone fruit flavours
- can also be made in a richer, fuller-bodied style
the most widely planted grape variety in Spain
Airén
the vast majority of Airén is planted in
La Mancha in central Spain
one of the few varieties that is able to cope with the extreme heat & drought conditions of the Meseta Central (white)
Airén
wines made of Airén
- acceptable dry white wine
- much of the output continues to be used in the production of Brandy de Jerez
3 grapes widely planted in Catalunya
- Parellada
- Xarel-lo
- Macabeo
main varieties used in Cava production
- Parellada
- Xarel-lo
- Macabeo
name for Macabeo in Rioja
Viura
Viura in Rioja
- can be made in an unoaked style with subtle herb & spice aromas
- traditionally it was the mainstay of heavily oaked white Riojas
international varieties grown in Spain (4)
- CS
- Merlot
- SB
- Chardonnay
the principal DO regions of Spain may be grouped together into … geographical regions, based on …
1. …
2. …
…
- 6
- climate & grape varieties
- the Upper Ebro
- Catalunya
- the Duero Valley
- the North West
- the Levante
- Castilla-La Mancha
the most extensive region designated for the production of Vino de la Tierra in Spain
Castilla y León
where is Castilla y León located?
towards the north of the Meseta Central
Regions & DO/DOCa in Spain
(6 regions, 4+3+3+2+3+2)
- the Upper Ebro
- Rioja
- Navarra
- Cariñena
- Calatayud - Catalunya
- Catalunya
- Penedès
- Priorat - the Duero Valley
- Ribera del Duero
- Toro
- Rueda - the North West
- Rias Baixas
- Bierzo - the Levante
- Valencia
- Jumilla
- Yecla - Castilla-La Mancha
- La Mancha
- Valdepeñas
regions/DO’s in the Upper Ebro (4)
- Rioja
- Navarra DO
- Cariñena DO
- Calatayud DO
Rioja is split into … distinct sub-regions, centred around the region’s principal city, …
1. …
2. …
- 3
- Logroño
- Rioja Alavesa
- Rioja Alta
- Rioja Baja
- where is Rioja Alavesa (3 geographical points)
- vy hight
- climate moderated by
- wines
- situated
- to the west of Logroño
- on the north bank of the Ebro
- in the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains - 500-800m
- the Atlantic Ocean, although the C.M. shield Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather
- perhaps the lightest of Rioja, & often have the most finesse
- where is Rioja Alta
- vy moh
- climate moderated by
- situated
- to the west of Logroño
- mainly to the south of the Ebro - 500-800m
- the Atlantic Ocean, although the C.M. shield Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather
- where is Rioja Baja
- climate
- situated
- to the east of Logroño
- mainly on the south bank of the Ebro - climate
- less maritime
- hotter summers
- more severe winters
- annual rainfall can be low, making drought an issue for growers
grapes in Rioja
- plantings are dominated by …
- 4 grapes (where grown, gives to a blend)
- plantings are dominated by black grapes
Tempranillo
- the most widely planted variety
- does best in the cooler western sub-regions
- the main component of most blends
- red fruit flavours & medium level of tannins
Garnacha
- grows best in the Rioja Baja
- body & alcohol
Mazuelo & Graciano
- less widely planted
- provide a supporting role in blends
production methods in Rioja
- in a range of different ways depending on the style the winemaker wishes to achieve
red wines designed for early drinking:
- semi-carbonic maceration
–> vibrant red fruit flavours & low levels of smooth tannin
wines designed for long-term maturation:
- usually destemmed & crushed
- undergo a traditional fermentation
- some producers use vigourous cap management techniques & extended maceration to produce heavily extracted wines, deep in colour & full of fruit flavours
- many are making more subtle, elegant styles
oak maturation has a defining role in Rioja
- traditionally: aged in American oak & often had pronounced aromas of vanilla
- many producers now use oak from France or other European countries for at least some of their wine, giving more subtle spicy aromas
how many white varieties are currently approved for use in white Rioja?
8
the most widely planted white grape in Rioja
Viura
ageing of white Rioja
(trad. vs modern)
traditionally:
- aged for extended periods in American oak
- developed a deep golden colour & nutty flavours
- these deliberately oxidised wines have fallen out of favour with modern consumers
modern white Rioja:
- often made with minimal contact with oxygen in order to preserve the maximum amount of fruit
- some bodegas are now also producing barrel-fermented white wines, but in a less oxidative style than traditional white Riojas
where are the vineyards of Navarra DO situated?
- stretch from the northern & eastern borders of Rioja into the foothills of the Pyrenees
climate of Navarra
- similar to Rioja
(Moderate Maritime? Står ikke direkte i boken, men på nett står det Continental) - becomes cooler & wetter nearer the mountains
most widely planted variety in Navarra
Tempranillo
production in Navarra is focused on …
red wine
sv or blend for Tempranillo in Navarra?
Tempranillo is either blended with the other Rioja varieties to make a wine in a similar style or increasingly with CS & Merlot
wine styles in Navarra
range from good value Joven wines to top quality premium Gran Reservas
grapes used for rosé production in Navarra
Garnacha
rosé wine in Navarra
(grape, prod.met.)
- Garnacha
- picked earlier when acid levels are higher & sugar levels lower
- handled protectively to create refreshing, fruity wines with medium levels of alcohol
white wines of Navarra
- account for a very small proportion of the total output of the region
- wines tend to be made from Viura, Chardonnay & SB
where is Cariñena DO located?
- neighbouring Calatayud DO
- to the south of the Ebro
where is Calatayud DO located?
- neighbouring Cariñena DO
- to the south of the Ebro
climate & rain of Cariñena DO
- warm continental
- low rainfall
climate & rain of Calatayud DO
- warm continental
- low rainfall
main variety in Cariñena DO
Garnacha
main variety in Calatayud DO
Garnacha
styles of wine in Cariñena DO
Inexpensive wines
- fruity, early drinking style
Higher-quality wines
- old vine Garnacha & Cariñena
greater flavour intensity & structure
styles of wine in Calatayud DO
Inexpensive wines
- fruity, early drinking style
Higher-quality wines
- old vine Garnacha & Cariñena
greater flavour intensity & structure
- where is Catalunya situated?
- vast majority of vy are concentrated …
- north-east corner of Spain
- in an area that lies to the south of Barcelona &
comprises the coastal plain & the hills immediately to the west
what make Catalunya unlike any of the other Spanish administrative regions?
Catalunya has a generic DO for still wines that covers the entire region
why was the generic Catalunya DO made?
- largely to enable blending of wines from the various areas to provide the opportunity to create significant volumes of branded wine
where is nearly all Cava made
Catalunya
where is Penedès located?
- in Catalunya, Spain
- immediately to the south-west of Barcelona
- between Barcelona & Tarragona
- stretch from the Mediterranean coast up into the hills
3 distinct climatic zones in Penedès
- coastal plain: hottest, Mediterranean
- inland, in the valleys: slightly cooler, but still warm
- further into the hills (vines are grown up to 800m): Moderate
how is it possible to make a wide variety of wine styles using a range of grape varieties in Penèdes
it has 3 distinct climatic zones
1. coastal plain: hottest, Mediterranean
2. inland, in the valleys: slightly cooler, but still warm
3. further into the hills (vines are grown up to 800m): Moderate
- the most planted grapes in Penedès (5)
- significant plantings of international varieties (3+4)
- those used for Cava production
(trad. Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada, Garnacha, Monastrell - Chard., SB, Gew.tr., Merlot, CS, Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), PN
DOs in Catalunya (3)
- Catalunya DO
- Penedès DO
- Priorat DO
where is Priorat & its vy located?
- in Catalunya, Spain
- west of Penedès
- vy lie within the hills inland from the city of Tarragona
summers & annual rainfall in Priorat
- summers are long, hot & dry
- annual rainfall is very low
- what conditions make it ideal for the old Garnacha & Cariñena vines found in Priorat?
- why?
- summers are long, hot & dry
- annual rainfall is very low
- both grapes are late ripening
ripening time of Garnacha
late ripening
ripening time of Cariñena
late ripening
best soil in Priorat
- Llicorella
- layers of red slate with small particles of mica that sparkle in the sun
- help ripening by reflecting & conserving heat
- able to retain sufficient water throughout the growing season (because of their depth)
… night-time temperatures of Priorat provide …
- cool night-time temperatures
- provide some relief from the heat of the day
why is mechanisation almost impossible in Priorat?
- bush vines
- steep slopes
factors that affect price of wine in Priorat
- vy are expensive & time consuming to manage
- bush vines & steep slopes –> mechanisation is almost impossible - very low yields
- low nutrient soils (Ilicorella, red slate with small particles of mica)
- age of the vines
char. of red Priorat
- deeply coloured
- high tannins
- medium-high alcohol
- concentrated black fruit
- often toasty aromas from new French oak
grapes in red Priorat
- Garnacha & Cariñena remain the core of many blends
- some producers add some international varieties, especially CS
white & rosé in Prioriat?
can also be made, although they are rarely seen
where does the River Duero start, flow and continue?
- starts in the mountains south of Riojo
- flows through Spain
- into Portugal (where it is called the Douro)
DOs in the Duero Valley (3)
- Ribera del Duero DO
- Toro DO
- Rueda DO
climate of Ribera del Duero
summers & winters
- Hot Continental
- cut off from any maritime influence by a ring of mountains
- short, hot & dry summers
- very cold winters
the vy of Ribera del Duero are situated
- on the highest part of the Meseta Central
- some vy planted at over 850m
what helps to retain the acidity & fresh fruit flavours in Ribera del Duero?
- the vy are situated on the highest part of the Meseta Central, with some vy planted at over 850m
- this altitude ensures the region experiences cool night-time temp. throughout the year
what helps to retain the acidity & fresh fruit flavours in Ribera del Duero?
- the vy are situated on the highest part of the Meseta Central, with some vy planted at over 850m
- this altitude ensures the region experiences cool night-time temp. throughout the year
what colour of wines are made in Ribera del Duero DO?
- red & rosé wine only
the vast majority of production in Ribera del Duero is
red wine
dominant grape in Ribera del Duero
Tempranillo
Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero
- the dominant grape
- the only variety in most of the best red wines
- dark in colour
- high level of tannins
other grapes permitted in Ribera del Duero (but rarely used)
- CS
- Malbec
- Merlot
… Garnacha is grown in Ribera del Duero too & is … made into …
some
mostly
dry rosé
production methods in Ribera del Duero
- many winemakers are choosing to accentuate (fremheve) the concentrated fruit flavours & tannins in their grapes by
- undertaking long macerations
- ageing the wines for a relatively short period of time in new oak barrels, which are increasingly made from French rather than American oak
climate in Toro
- similar climate to its neighbour Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero
- Hot Continental
- cut off from any maritime influence by a ring of mountains
- short, hot & dry summers
- very cold winters
wines in Toro DO are predominately made from
Tempranillo
char. of red wine in Toro DO
(general, Joven, Reserva, Gran R.)
- predominately made from Tempranillo
- full-bodied
- intense fruit flavours
- high alcohol
- Joven wines: generally a proportion of Garnacha
- Reservas & Gran Reservas: can be exceptionally deeply coloured & tannic when young, & have the ability to age well
colour of wine in Toro DO
- mostly red
- small quantities of rosé & white
the reds in Toro are full-bodied with intense fruit flavours & high alcohol, a result of …
- the high daytime temperatures
- sunny conditions
- low-yielding bush vines
where is Rueda situated?
- in the Duero Valley, Spain
- in-between Toro & Ribera del Duero
how does Rueda differ from Ribera del Duero & Toro?
focuses on white wine production
Rueda’s traditional grape variety
Verdejo
main grapes in Rueda
- Verdejo
- SB
sv or blend in Rueda
- both SB & Verdejo can be made & labelled as single varietal wines
- blended whites must contain at least 50% Verdejo
style of wines in Rueda
styles range from simple & fruity to richer barrel-fermented versions
DOs in the North West Spain (2)
- Rias Baixas
- Bierzo
climate of north west Spain
- Moderate Maritime
- cooler & wetter than the rest of Spain
where is Rias Baixas
- in the north west of Spain
- on the Atlantic coast
climate of Rias Baixas
- Moderate Maritime
- damp climate
- hazards in Rias Baixas
- how to avoid
- vine diseases (mildew & rot)
- trained on pergolas to encourage air circulation
(some producers are using other training & trellising systems that are easier to maintain)
training & trellising in Rias Baixas
- trained on pergolas to encourage air circulation (avoid mildew & rot)
- some producers are using other training & trellising systems that are easier to maintain
styles of Albariño in Rias Baixas
most
- refreshing unoaked style
- taking advantage of the grape’s naturally high acidity & ripe stone fruit flavours
some
- richer style
- occasionally with a touch of oak or lees stirring
colour of wine in Rias Baixas
- mostly white
- red wine is permitted too although it remains a minority concern
where is Bierzo?
- north west Spain
- in the mountains that mark the boundary between Galicia & the Meseta Central
Bierzo makes predominately … wine
red
DO in the mountains that mark the boundary between Galicia & the Meseta Central
Bierzo
climate in Bierzo
- Moderate Maritime
- benefits from a cooling maritime influence
key grape variety in Bierzo
Mencia
Mencia in Bierzo
- elegant red wines
- naturally high acidity
- red fruit aromas
best wines in Bierzo come from …
- old vines grown on the region’s steep stony slopes
oak in Bierzo?
- some producers make unoaked wines to retain the perfumed red fruit of the grape variety
- many use new oak to add toasty aromas
where is Levante?
- the region on the Mediterranean coast south of Catalunya
trade in the Levante is centred round the port of …
Valencia, which is the distribution hub for wines from the Levante & La Mancha
DOs in the Levante (3)
- Valencia
- Jumilla
- Yecla
grape varieties in Valencia
- a large number of different local & international grape varieties
- most planted red grape: Monastrell
- white plantings are dominated by: Merseguera (local grape)
- significant plantings of Muscat of Alexandria
grape varieties in Valencia
- a large number of different local & international grape varieties
- most planted red grape: Monastrell
- white plantings are dominated by: Merseguera (local grape)
- significant plantings of Muscat of Alexandria
most planted red grape in Valencia
Monastrell
white plantings in Valencia are dominated by …
Merseguera
what is Moscatel de Valencia, and what grape is used
- sweet fortified wine of Valencia
- Muscat of Alexandria
where is Jumilla?
- in the Levante in Spain
- east coast, below Catalunya
- south-west of Valencia (further inland)
- south-east of La Mancha
- neighbour to Yecla
where is Yecla?
- in the Levante in Spain
- east coast, below Catalunya
- south-west of Valencia (further inland)
- south-east of La Mancha
- neighbour to Jumilla
climate of Jumilla
Hot, arid climate (mediterranean?)
climate of Yecla
Hot, arid climate (mediterranean?)
style of wines in Jumilla
majority are youthful & fruity in style
style of wines in Yecla
majority are youthful & fruity in style
almost half of Spain’s total wine production comes from …
Castilla-La Mancha
where is Castilla-La Mancha?
- vast central area of the Meseta Central
- lies to the south of Madrid
- west of the Levante (Valencia)
DOs in Castilla-La Mancha (2)
- La Mancha
- Valdepeñas
largest DO in Spain
La Mancha
most widely planted grape variety in La Mancha
Airén
Airén in La Mancha
- most widely planted grape variety, but declining
(authorities have encouraged producers to plant Tempranillo/Cencibel & other international grape varieties such as CS, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, SB) - neutral, fresh white wine
why is the amount of Airén declining in La Mancha?
most widely planted grape variety, but declining
- authorities have encouraged producers to plant Tempranillo/Cencibel & other international grape varieties such as CS, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, SB)
local name of Tempranillo in La Mancha
Cencibel
- other name for Cencibel
- where is it grown
- Tempranillo
- La Mancha
significant investment in technology & expertise has ensured that La Mancha is now an ….
excellent source of inexpensive well-made reds & whites for the export market
where did the trend for top-quality pagos wines begin in Spain?
La Mancha
where are the majority of estates that have been awarded the appellation Vinos de Pago located
La Mancha
where is Valdepeñas located?
- immediately to the south of La Mancha
La Mancha:
- vast central area of the Meseta Central
- lies to the south of Madrid
- west of the Levante (Valencia)
climate of Valdepeñas
- identical to La Mancha
- Hot Continental
most widely planted grape in Valdepeñas
Airén
main grape variety for red wine in Valdepeñas
Tempranillo (Cencibel)
Tempranillo as varietal wine or blend in Valdepeñas?
Style
- main grape variety for red wines
- either as a varietal wine or blended with international grape varieties
- the wines range from fruity to more concentrated & oak matured
Spanish wine laws
- hierarchy of PDO & PGI
- specific ageing criteria for red & white wines
- Spanish PDO
- traditional terms
- Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP)
traditional terms:
- Denominación de Origen (DO)
- Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa)
- Denominació d’Origen Qualificada (DOQ)
(Priorat wines use the Catalan terminology)
- Vinos de Pago (VP)
Denominación de Origen (DO) in Spain
- should be wines of a certain minimum quality
- satisfying specifications covering grape varieties, viticulture & location
Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) in Spain
- DOs of at least ten years standing may apply for this more prestigious category
- at present there are only 2 (Rioja & Priorat)
- Priorat wines use the Catalan terminology of Denominació d’Origen Qualificada (DOQ)
Vinos de Pago
- PDO in Spain
- this category applies to a small number of single estates with high reputations
- approved estates may only use their own grapes, which must be vinified & matured on their estate
PGI wines in Spain
the traditional term Vino de la Tierra (VdlT) is commonly used
wines without GI in Spain
labelled Vino
the Spanish law defines the following age categories for its wines
- Joven
- Crianza
- Reserva
- Gran Reserva
ageing for red wines in Spain
total months - barrel
- Joven: 0 - 0
- Crianza: 24 - 6
- Reserva: 36 - 12
- Gran Reserva: 60 - 18
ageing for white wines in Spain
total months - barrel
- Joven: 0 - 0
- Crianza: 18 - 6
- Reserva: 24 - 6
- Gran Reserva: 48 - 6
are the ageing laws equal all over Spain?
No.
Some regions, such as Rioja, require that the wines made there are aged for longer both in total & in barrel.
