Black Grapes of Spain Flashcards
Tempranillo
skin, acid, tannin, alcohol, body, character, ripening
Thick-skinned
Acid Medium
Tannin Medium
Alcohol Medium - High
Body Medium - Full
Character: in Joven wine, fresh Strawberry.
Ripening: Needs warmth to ripen but high diurnal to retain acid
Garnacha
skin, acid, tannin, alcohol, body, character, ripening
Thin-skinned Acid Low Tannin Low (Soft) Alcohol High Body Full Character: Red fruit and spice Ripening: Drought resistant, late-ripening, warm or hot climate
Monastrell
skin, acid, tannin, alcohol, body, character when young, ripening, special powers
Thick-skinned Acid Low - Medium Tannin High Alcohol High Body Full Character: Ripe blackberry Ripening: late. needs hot, sunny climate Drought resistant,
What flavour and structural characteristics do small quantities of Graciano add to blends in Rioja? This helps the wine do what?
Concentrated black fruit aromas, acidity and tannins which helps the wine age.
What is Carignan called in Spain generally, and in Rioja specifically?
Carinena and Mazuelo
What does Carinena contribute to blends in Priorat? What is it blended with?
Tannin and blended with Garnacha
What is Mazuelo (Carinena) blended with in Rioja? What are it’s charcteristics?
Tempranillo
High acid, tannin and colour
What type of climate does Monastrell need to ripen?
Hot and sunny
What is Garnacha widely used for?
Rosados
Which Spanish region is Garnacha most important?
Priorat
What kind of Diurnal range aids in retaining acidity in Tempranillo?
High
Mencia is a grape a local Spanish variety. What kind of climate does it suit?
Moderate climates
What is the relevant cluster, one distinct characteristic and acid characteristics of Mencia?
red fruit, medium to high acidity and sometimes a hint of herbaceousness
Which Spanish grape is highly valued but challenging to grow?
Graciano
Which grape is Spains premier black grape?
Tempranillo
What fruit is associated with Joven Tempranillo and what process is often used in this style of wine?
Fresh Strawberry. Semi-carbonic maceration
Name two regions in the South-east in which Monastrell is grown
Yecla and Jumilla
Garnacha is mostly planted in which part of Rioja?
Rioja Oriental
Other than body and alcohol, what does Garnacha contribute to Rioja blends?
Perfume
True or False: Tempranillo is usually only oak-aged in blends?
True
What kind of oak has been traditionally used in Spain?
American
What kind of oak is increasingly popular in Spain?
French
What natural influences help in the balanced ripening of Tempranillo?
High diurnal. Heat moderated by the sea or altitude.
Oak is almost always used in the production of high quality Spanish wines. True or False?
True
What type of vine-training has traditionally been used in Spain? Why?
Low-density bush vines, to combat a lack of water. (Water is plentiful in North-west Spain)
Name two international, black grape varieties grown in Spain
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. (These grapes are often blended with local varieties)
