32. Spain Flashcards
What governing body controls Spain’s wine regulations?
Instituto de Denominaciónes de Origen (INDO); each DO is regulated by it own Consejo Regulador
What are the 5 quality levels of Spanish wine?
Vino or Vino de Espana (replaces Vino de Mesa);
Indicacion Geografica Protegida (IGP) (replaces Vino de la Tierra (VdlT) - equivalent of Vin de Pays);
Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VCIG) - an intermediate PDO designation between DO and VdIT;
Denominación de Origen (DO);
Denominación de Origen Calificada for Rioja (DOCa) and Priorat (DOQ in Catalan)
A Spanish wine labeled “Joven” means what?
A ‘young’ wine, with or without oak, these wines are bottled in the year following the vintage. Updated term is “generico.”
What are the minimum aging requirements for a red wine labeled Crianza?
The wine has been aged for 2 years, of which 6 months is in oak. (Additional aging is required in Rioja and RdD.)
What are the minimum aging requirements for a white or rosé wine labeled Crianza?
The wine has been aged for 18 months, with or without oak.
What are the minimum aging requirements for a red wine labeled Reserva?
Must be aged three years, of which one in oak.
What are the minimum aging requirements for a white or rosé wine labeled Reserva?
Must be aged 18 months, of which 6 months in oak.
What are the minimum aging requirements for a red wine labeled Gran Reserva?
Must be aged 5 years, of which 18 months in oak.
What are the minimum aging requirements for a white or rosé wine labeled Gran Reserva?
Must be aged 4 years, of which 6 months in oak.
What Spanish wine region makes high alcohol wines from the Monastrell grape?
Jumilla (Also Yecla, Bullas)
What is the largest demarcated DO in Spain?
La Mancha
What is the most widely planted white wine grape varietal in the world?
Airén [eye-wren]
What are the main white and red varietals of La Mancha?
White: Airén, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Red: Cencibel (Tempranillo), Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah.
What is the most widely planted grape varietal in the world?
Thompson Seedless [obvious trick question]
What is the most widely planted grape varietal used for wine production in the world?
Airén or Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. (Airén may be in decline due to replantings.)
What is the meaning of the Spanish label term “bodega”?
winery
What is the meaning of the Spanish label term “cosecha”?
harvest or crop, indicating vintage year
What is the meaning of the Spanish label term “espumoso”?
sparkling
What is the meaning of the Spanish label term “Vendimia”?
grape harvest, vintage year
Name 5 wine areas in the Upper Ebro of Spain.
Rioja, Navarra, Carinena, Calatayud, Somontano
What is llicorella soil?
layers of slate with small particles of mica found in Priorat
Name 3 wine areas in the Catalunya region of Spain.
Penedes, Priorat, Costers del Segre (as well as Alella, Conca de Barberá, Montsant, Tarragona, Terra Alta, as well as a region-wide Catalunya DO)
Name 3 main wine areas in the Duero Valley of Spain.
Ribera del Duero, Toro, Rueda
What is the synonym for Tempranillo in La Mancha?
Cencibel
Name 2 wine areas in the Castilla-La Mancha of Spain.
La Mancha, Valdepenas
Which DO in Spain has the most number of Vinos de Pago?
La Mancha
Name 3 main wine areas in the Levante of Spain.
Valencia, Jumilla, Yecla
What does the Spanish designation of Vino de Pago mean?
single estate with high reputation with viticulture and viniculture all on premises
List seven synonyms for Tempranillo.
- Tinta de Toro (in Toro)
- Tinto del Pais (in Ribera del Duero)
- Ull de Llebre (in Catalunya)
- Argones (in Alentejo, Portugal)
- Tinta Roriz (for port)
- Valdepenas (the first use of Tempranillo in California used this name)
- Cencibel (in La Mancha and Valdepenas)
- Tinto Fino (in Ribera del Duero)
What type climate in found in southwestern Spain?
Mediterranean
What type of climate is found in La Mancha Spain?
hot continental
What type of climate is found in northwest Spain (Galicia)?
moderate maritime
The Ebro River separates which two regions?
Rioja and Navarra as well as Rioja and Basque Country
Which river travels through Ribera del Duero along the top of Rueda and Toro and then into Portugal?
Duero River (Duoro River in Portugal)
What is the Meseta in Spain?
a large plateau in center of the country [think: the hood of a car]