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Andalucia Flashcards

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1
Q

What is known as “the meeting place of continents”?

A

British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar situated near Andalucia’s southernmost tip. This gateway has linked southern Europe to North Africa for centuries.

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2
Q

Name Spain’s most notable contributions to the world that have their roots in Andalucia.

A
  • Flamenco
  • Tapas (small portion of food served with wine)
  • Sherry
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3
Q

Why was the criaderas y soleras system developed?

A

This system was developed in order to manage a surplus of wine stemming from multiple generous harvests during the 18th century.
As it turned out, the new fractionalized blending & aging system also created a more consistent & higher-quality product.

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4
Q

Where is Andalucia located?

A

This autonomous region is the southernmost region of Spain.
It is bordered by Extremadura & Castilla-La Mancha to the north, Murcia to the east, the Mediterranean to the south & east, and Portugal & the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
It is Spain’s 2nd largest & most populated region.

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5
Q

Name the 8 provinces of Andalucia.

A
  1. Almeria
  2. Cadiz
  3. Cordoba
  4. Granada
  5. Huelva
  6. Jaen
  7. Malaga
  8. Sevilla

Each named after its capital city.

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6
Q

What is the capital of Andalucia?

A

Sevilla

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7
Q

What is the climate in Andalucia?

A

Mediterranean w/ maritime & continental influences
* rainfall is winter-dominant
* Azores High contributes hot, dry summers
* inland reaches have some of the warmest average temperatures in Spain (Sevilla & Cordoba)
* July/August are hottest months
* coastal areas less extreme temperature fluctuations
* eastern area has lowest overall temperatures (Jaen & Granada)
* impacted by both Levante & Poniente winds
* 12-21in/300-800mm annual rainfall

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8
Q

Andalucia has one of the wettest areas on the Iberian Peninsula as well as the driest area in Europe. What are they?

A

Wettest:
* Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park: borders the northern reaches of the Cadiz & Malaga provinces

Driest:
* Cabo de Gata: in the Almeria province (>6in/160mm annual rainfall)

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9
Q

Name the mountains in Andalucia.

A
  • Sierra Morena: forms a natural border between Extremadura & Castilla-La Mancha to the north
  • Sistema Betico: in the south; consists of 3 mountain chains:
    1. Cordillera Prebetica: most located in Murcia & Castilla-La Mancha
    2. Cordillera Subbetica: northern range; covers much of northeastern Andalucia
    3. Cordillera Penibetica: southern range; covers much of southeastern Andalucia
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10
Q

Which is the highest mountain range on the Iberian Peninsula?

A

Sistema Betico

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11
Q

What is the highest peak in mainland Spain?

A

Pico de Mulhacen (11,414ft/3,479m)
Located in the Sierra Nevada range (part of the Cordillera Penibetica, and hence the Sistema Betico range) in the province of Granada.
The 3rd highest in continental Europe.

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12
Q

Name the 2 prevailing winds affecting southern Spain.

A
  • Poniente: cool, humid winds from the west (Atlantic Ocean); appears as an evening sea breeze
  • Levante: hot, dry wind blowing from the east
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13
Q

What is the importance of the Poniente & Levante in regards to Sherry production?

A

The climatic conditions engendered by these 2 winds creates the ideal environment for the development of flor, a film of surface yeast that blooms atop some styles of sherry while aging in cask.

The influence of the Poniente is particularly noticeable in the Manzanillas produced in Sanlucar de Barrameda which are said to carry a distinguishable “hint of the sea.”

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14
Q

Which province in Andalucia has vines planted at some of the highest elevations in Europe?

A

Granada (3,937ft/1,200m)

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15
Q

Name the rivers of Andalucia.

A
  • Odiel River
  • Tinto River
  • Guadalete River: flows through sherry country
  • Guadalquivir River: flows through sherry country
  • Barbate River

Most of these originate in the Sierra Morena and Sistema Betico, flow across this region on their way to the Atlantic Ocean. Their courses are typically long & run through predominantly flat terrain.

The rivers that flow into the Mediterranean are shorter & descend from the Sistema Betico:
* Guadiaro River
* Guadalhorce River
* Guadalfeo River
* Andarax River
* Almanzora River

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16
Q

What soil types are found in Andalucia?

A
  • Sierra Morena (northern border): shallow, limestone, clay
  • near Sistema Betico (eastern reaches): deep, slate, clay, & limestone
  • DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry/DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda: albariza
  • DO Montilla-Moriles: pockets of albero (albariza)
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17
Q

Describe albariza.

A

This soil has a white hue & is extremely rich in calcium carbonate. It ranges from 30-80% chalk w/ limestone, clay & sand comprising the balance.

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18
Q

How do vines benefit from albariza soil?

A

This soil is vital to the success of the vines as it reflects sunlight (creating a cooler mesoclimate), retains humidity, & stores water from winter rains by forming a hard crust at the surface during the hot summer months.

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19
Q

Which 3 varieties dominate the landscape in Andalucia?

A
  • Palomino Fino: primary grape in sherry production
  • Pedro Ximenez: used as sweetening agent for sherry
  • Moscatel: used as sweetening agent for sherry
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20
Q

What are the most popular white varieties in Andalucia?

A

Local:
* Pedro Ximenez
* Viririego

International:
* Chardonnay
* Sauvignon Blanc

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21
Q

What are the dominant red varieties in Andalucia?

A
  • Tempranillo
  • Garnacha Tinta
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Syrah
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22
Q

What vine training methods are used in Andalucia?

A
  • en vaso: many
  • espaldera: some
  • vara y pulgar: sherry-producing areas

Mechanization is implemented where possible, but many wineries still opt to tend vineyards by hand for quality.

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23
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Andalucia?

A

This region is best known for fortified & sweet wine production, but produces the most versatile range of wine styles in Spain:
* vinos generosos
* vinos dulces
* still
* espumosos

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24
Q

Name the DOPs of Andalucia.

A
  • DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry (1933)
  • DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda (1964)
  • DO Malaga (1933)
  • DO Montilla-Moriles (1945)
  • DO Condado de Huelva (1964)
  • DO Sierras de Malaga (2001)
  • VC Granada (2009)
  • VC Lebrija (2009)
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25
Q

Where is DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry located?

A

This wine region is in the Cadiz province in the western portion of the Andalucian coast.

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26
Q

Where does DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry get its name?

A

This wine region gets its name from the 3 areas where its popularity was historically highest:
* Spain (“Jerez”)
* France (“Xeres”)
* England (“Sherry”)

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27
Q

Where is DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda located?

A

This wine region is located w/in the geographic boundaries of DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry.

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28
Q

What does DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry & DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda share?

A
  • production zone
  • grape varieties
  • production techniques
  • protection from the same Consejo Regulador
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29
Q

What is the climate in DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry?

A

Mediterranean
* minimal threat of frost
* 25in/620mm annual rainfall

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30
Q

What soil types are found in DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry?

A
  • Albariza (chalk, limestone, clay, sand)
  • barros (clay)
  • arenas (sand)
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31
Q

How long has wine been produced in Jerez?

A

Nearly 3,000 years.

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32
Q

What is the “Marco de Jerez”?

A

This refers to the 9 towns in which the sherry vineyards are located.
1. Jerez de la Frontera
2. Sanlucar de Barrameda
3. El Puerto de Santa Maria
4. Trebujena
5. Chichlana
6. Puerto Real
7. Rota
8. Chipiona
9. Lebrija

33
Q

Name the 3 distinct zones within DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry & DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda

A
  • Zona de Produccion (Production Zone): incorporates the 9 towns suitable for growing grapes for the production of sherry & Manzanilla; soils range from the white, chalky albariza to the lesser-desired arenas (sand) & barros (clay)
  • Jerez Superior: a sub-division of the Zona de Produccion consisting of only vineyards planted in albariza; ~92% of the region’s vineyards
  • Zona de Crianza/Sherry Triangle (Aging & Maturing Zone): the only area sherry may be labeled as DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry or DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda; includes the towns of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa Maria, & Sanlucar de Barrameda
34
Q

What style of wine is produced in DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry & DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda?

A

100% Generoso (Fortified/sherry)

35
Q

Name the grape varieties authorized for DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry & DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda.

A
  • Palomino Fino
  • Pedro Ximenez
  • Moscatel (de Alejandria)
36
Q

Where is DO Malaga located?

A

This wine region is located in the Malaga province in south-central Andalucia, along the Mediterranean coast.

37
Q

What is the climate in DO Malaga?

A

Mediterranean
* 12-28in/300-700mm annual rainfall

38
Q

What soil types are found in DO Malaga?

A
  • Limestone
  • clay
  • decomposed slate

Note: varies by sub-zone

39
Q

What style of wine is produced in DO Malaga?

A

100% Vino Dulce

40
Q

Name the grape varieties permitted in DO Malaga.

A

White (Preferred):
* Pedro Ximenez/Pero Ximen
* Moscatel de Malaga/Moscatel de Alejandria
* Moscatel Morisco/Moscatel de Grano Menudo

White (Authorized):
* Lairen
* Doradilla

Red (Authorized):
* Rome

Note: The indigenous grapes Rome, Doradilla, & Lairen may be incorporated w/ a combined max. of 30%.

41
Q

How are vino dulce wines produced in DO Malaga?

A

Many styles of sweet wine are made in this wine region w/ dried or overripe grapes that can be (but are not always) fortified w/ neutral grape spirit.

42
Q

Which of DO Malaga wines is most admired?

A

Pajarete (Paxarete/Paxarette)

43
Q

How is Pajarete produced?

A

This fortified sweet wine is primarily made w/ PX and/or Moscatel grapes.
These grapes are fermented & then oxidatively aged for a min. 2 years in oak barrels.
Many producers incorporate a solera system into the aging regimen.
Sugar content between 4.5-14% or 45-140g/l.

44
Q

What are the characteristics of Pajarete wine?

A

Generally brown in color w/ notes of dried figs & hazelnuts w/ a rich & full-bodied palate.

45
Q

What styles of wine are being produced in the Malaga province, other than the traditional vino dulce?

A
  • non-fortified, sweet Moscatels: golden in color, highly perfumed & meant to be consumed young
  • dry still wines from both indigenous & international varieties (produced under the DO Sierras de Malaga)
46
Q

Which DO is exclusively dedicated to the production of raisins?

A

DO Pasas de Malaga

47
Q

Name the 5 sub-zones of DO Malaga

A
  1. Axarquia
  2. Montes de Malaga
  3. Norte
  4. Manilva
  5. Serrania de Ronda

NOT NTK

48
Q

Which DO Malaga sub-zone is most important for the production of vino dulce?

A

Axarquia

49
Q

Where is Axarquia located?

A

This sub-zone of DO Malaga is in the southeastern part of the Malaga province.
Moscatel vineyards are planted on steep terraces & slopes, some of which require pack animals to lug baskets of grapes to central collection points during harvest.

50
Q

Where is Montes de Malaga located?

A

This sub-zone of DO Malaga is situated just west of Axarquia on the southern coast of Andalucia.
It is so-named for the mountain range w/in it, which crests at 3,379ft/1,030m.

51
Q

Which grape varieties thrive in the Montes de Malaga sub-zone?

A
  • PX
  • Moscatel
52
Q

Which sub-zone of DO Malaga has the most extreme temperatures?

A

Norte

53
Q

Where is Norte located?

A

This DO Malaga sub-zone is located in the northern region of the Malaga province.
Axarquia is situated to the south-east, and Montes de Malaga sits directly to the south.

54
Q

What is the main variety grown in the Norte sub-zone?

A

PX

This grape naturally ripens to high sugar levels but, here the grapes are typically allowed to over-mature in order to concentrate those sugars & maximize phenolic development.
This results in a deeply pigmented sweet wine for which this area is known.

55
Q

Where is Manilva located?

A

This sub-zone of DO Malaga is located at the southwestern tip of the Malaga province & borders the Mediterranean Sea.

56
Q

How does the terroir of Manilva contribute to grape clusters & berries growing quite large?

A
  • more humidity
  • more fertile soils

For this reason, these vineyards are primarily used for raisin production under DO Pasas de Malaga.

57
Q

What grape variety is grown in the Manilva sub-zone?

A

Moscatel

It ripens to high sugar levels.

58
Q

Where is Serrania de Ronda located?

A

This DO Malaga sub-zone is in the western part of the region.

59
Q

What style wines are primaily produced in the Serrania de Ronda sub-zone?

A

Still wines produced under DO Sierras de Malaga.

60
Q

Where is DO Montilla-Moriles located?

A

This DOP is in the near center of Andalucia just south of the city of Cordoba.
It is named for 2 of the 17 towns in which it encompasses.

61
Q

DO Montilla-Moriles is delineated by which 2 rivers?

A
  • Guadajoz River: to the northeast
  • Genil River: to the southwest
62
Q

What is the climate in DO Montilla-Moriles?

A

Mediterranean w/ continental influences
* high elevation tempers heat spikes
* extreme heat in summer
* albero (albarizo) soil is cooling
* irregular rainfall
* 20-39in/500-1,000mm annual rainfall

63
Q

What soil types are found in DO Montilla-Moriles?

A
  • albero (albariza): vineyards of Sierra de Montilla & Moriles
  • ruedos (sand over clay): other vineyards throughout DO (vines planted here experience more heat & hydric stress)
64
Q

What styles of wine are produced in DO Montilla-Moriles?

A
  • Blanco (54%)
  • Other (46%): Generoso/Dulce)
65
Q

Name the authorized varieties in DO Montilla-Moriles.

A

White only:
* Pedro Ximenez
* Layren (Lairen)
* Baladi Verdejo (Jaen Blanco, Cayetana Blanca)
* Moscatel de Grano Menudo
* Moscatel de Alejandria
* Torrentes
* Chardonnay
* Sauvignon Blanc
* Macabeo

66
Q

Which variety reigns supreme in DO Montilla-Moriles?

A

Pedro Ximenez

67
Q

What purposes is the PX grape variety used for in DO Montilla-Moriles?

A

This variety produces:
* still wine
* vinos generosos
* vinos dulces

It is also used as a sweetening agent in Pedro Ximenez-based wines in DOs Jerez-Xeres-Sherry & Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda.

68
Q

Why is the PX grape better suited in DO Montilla-Moriles than closer to the coast?

A

This grape thrives in heat & reaches sugar levels & phenolic maturity not achieved closer to the coast.

69
Q

How does wine produced from PX grapes grown in clay soils compare to those grown on albariza?

A

Wines crafted from grapes grown in clay soils tend to have a more accelerated aging/oxidative track than those grown on albariza.

70
Q

How does the production method in DO Montilla-Moriles compare to that of sherry?

A
  • The process in this DO is similar to sherry, but Pedro Ximenez is used to craft the base wines instead of Palomino.
  • PX naturaly ripens to 15%, so the wines are not fortified
  • flor bloom is generally weaker/thinner due to lower humidity (resulting in deeper color wines)
71
Q

Which sherry terms can be seen on DO Montilla-Moriles labels?

A
  • Fino
  • Amontillado (a term that originated in “Montilla”)
  • Oloroso

However, wines from this wine region may NOT be labeled “sherry.”

72
Q

What vessels are used for vinification in DO Montilla-Moriles?

A
  • Traditionally, vinification took place in tinajas (large earthenware vessels 6,000-10,000L
  • Today, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for fermentation prior to moving them to tinajas for aging.
73
Q

Describe the process of soleo/asoleado.

A

This is a grape-drying process used in DO Montilla-Moriles to produce Sweet PX.
PX grapes are typically hand-harvested in August & dried on straw mats outside for 4-10 days. The clusters are turned regularly to ensure an even dehydration of the grapes.
This concentrates the grape sugars & doubles the level of potential alcohol.

74
Q

What is the minimum sugar level in the PX juice for the production of Sweet PX in DO Montilla-Moriles?

A

400g/l

75
Q

What is used to extract juices from dried PX grapes in DO Montilla-Moriles?

A

Special basket presses are used to extract the thick juice from these dried grapes.

76
Q

Why do the Sweet PX wines of DO Montilla-Moriles need to be fortified?

A

These sweet wines are made from dried PX grapes.
The sugar levels in the juice are so high, the yeast struggles to ferment to more than 3-4% abv and needs to be fortified w/ neutral grain spirit to 15% abv.

77
Q

How are the Sweet PX wines of DO Montilla-Moriles aged?

A

Criaderas y soleras:
* casks are filled to max. capacity to maximize oxidation
* min. 2 years in wood
* typically consumed young

Vintage versions:
* typically never topped-off
* become increasingly concentrated over time

78
Q

What are the characteristics of Vintage Sweet PX wines produced in DO Montilla-Moriles?

A

These wines are opaque black w/ notes of raisins, dried figs, chocolate, & caramel.
They have a highly viscous texture & are extremely sweet (some w/ more than 50% or 500g/l residual sugar)
They can age for decades.

Spanish Wine Scholar (31 decks)

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