Bf. Key Facts Spain

Question 1

Spain - Location

Answer 1

South-west Europe

Question 2

Climate

3

Answer 2

North west: moderate, maritime
East coast: warm-hot Mediterranean
Centre: hot continental

Question 3

Weather

Answer 3

North & Atlantic coast (inc. Rioja) - varying vintage conditions esp. rain.

Centre & Med coast - little vintage variation

Question 4

Soils

Answer 4

Mostly limestone/chalk except:

Far North West (granite)
South east (sand)

Question 5

Grape varieties - Black

5

Answer 5

Tempranillo
Garnacha
Monastrell
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot

Question 6

Grape varieties - White

6

Answer 6

Airen
Viura (Macabeo)
Verdejo
Albarino
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc

Question 7

Grapegrowing

Answer 7

• Largest area under vine of any country
• Stresses of heat and water avail. = small yields (make it 3rd in volume worldwide)
• Low, bush-trained vines to manage hot, arid cond.
• Move to trellising -> machine harvest

Question 8

Winemaking

Answer 8

Traditional practices: American oak for red & white, long periods of oxidative ageing

Modern: Stainless, temp-controlled ferment, fresher un/oak whites, French oak for reds, shorter maturation periods.

Question 9

Key General Regions

6

Answer 9

Upper Ebro
Catalonia
Duero Valley
NW Spain
Levante
Castilla La Mancha

Question 10

Key Sub-Regions: Upper Ebro

4

Answer 10

Rioja
Navarra
Calatayud
Carinena

Question 11

Key Sub- Regions: Catalonia

3

Answer 11

Priorato
Penedes
Catalunya

Question 12

Key Sub-Regions: Duero Valley

4

Answer 12

Ribera del Duero
Rueda
Toro
VdIT Castilla y Leon

Question 13

Key Sub-Regions: NW Spain

2

Answer 13

Rias Baixas

Bierzo

Question 14

Key Sub-Regions: Levante

3

Answer 14

Valencia
Jumilla
Yecla

Question 15

Key Sub-Regions: Castilla-La Mancha

4

Answer 15

La Mancha
Valdepenas
Vinos de Pago
VdIT de Castilla

Question 16

Wine Laws and Labelling terms - PDO

Answer 16

PDO Wines:
DO -Denominacion de Origen (DOP)
DOCa - Denominacion de Origen Calificada
VP - Vinos de Pago 
VCIG - Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geographica

Question 17

Wine Laws and Labelling terms - PGI & Other

Answer 17

PGI: VdlT - Vino de la Tierra

Other: Vino

Question 18

PDO Wine Categories: DO

Answer 18

• In common with all top-tier PDO’s
• each one regulated by own Consejo Regulador
• 69 DO’s

Question 19

PDO Wine Categories: DOCa

Answer 19

• DO’s of at least 10 years may apply
• must meet more stringent criteria than DO
• at present only 2 DOCa’s: Rioja, Priorat

Question 20

PDO Wine Categories: Vinos de Pago (VP)

Answer 20

• created 2003
• applies to single estates with v. high reputations
• effective in recognising estates outside DO system (international grape varieties)
• fruit must be estate-grown, wine matured/vinified at estate

Question 21

PDO Wine Categories: VCIG

Answer 21

• stepping stone b/w VdlT and DO

- regions may apply for DO after holding VCIG status for 5 years

Question 22

Ageing Classifications

Answer 22

Joven - may or may not see oak, bottled and released year following harvest

Crianza - red: min. 24 months, min 6 mo. oak
white & rose: min. 18 months, no legal oak min.

Reserva - wines from selected vats/vintages
reds: min 36 months, min 12 mo. oak
w/r: min. 18 months, 6 mo. oak

Gran Reserva - only produced exceptional vintages
red: min 60 months, 18 mo. oak
w/r: 48 months, 6 mo. oak