C30 - Spain Flashcards
How many broad climatic zones does Spain have?
Three
Describe Spain’s northernmost climatic zone
The north and north-west coast of Spain has a moderate maritime climate, dominated by Atlantic weather systems
Rainfall and associated risks is high
Describe Spain’s middle climatic zone
The east coast from Catalunya in the north to Levante further south, has a warm Mediterranean climate
Many of the vineyards are moderated by sea or altitude
Climate becomes increasingly hot the further south it goes
Describe the climate of central Spain
The Meseta Central is cut off by mountains from the cooling effects of the sea and has a hot continental climate
Winter temperatures below freezing and summers are very hot and dry
Summer temperatures can be moderated by altitude in certain sites
What are the biggest challenges to grape growing in Spain? What’s the exception?
Heat and lack of water
North-west Spain
What is the benefit of the lack of water for grape-growing in Spain?
The incidence of fungal disease is low
What is the main disadvantage of lack of water for grape growing in Spain?
It places a heavy stress on the vine
What is the best way of managing the heat and lack of water availability in Spain? Explain
Low density, bush-trained vineyards
By maximising the amount of water available to each vine and shading the fruit from excessive heat
What is slowly being introduced to Spanish vineyards? For what purpose?
Wire training
To facilitate machine harvesting
Summarise the inexpensive red wines of Spain
Often made without Oak
Semi-carbonic maceration is used to enhance the fruity nature of these wines
What is the role of oak in Spain’s best red wines?
They almost always see oak maturation, usually with at least a proportion of new oak
What is the most used type of oak for Spanish reds?
Traditionally American oak, but now French oak is also common
What is Spain’s premier red grape variety?
Tempranillo
Where in Spain is Tempranillo grown most widely?
Throughout northern and central Spain
What are Tempranillo’s key grape characteristics?
It’s thick-skinned with a medium acidity
What is the key viticultural challenge relating to Tempranillo?
Due to its medium acidity, hot growing areas without a high diurnal range can cause the wine to lack the necessary acidity for an ideal balance
Where is Tempranillo at its best in Spain?
In areas where summer temperatures are moderated by sea and/or altitude
What is often the case with Tempranillo when fermented on its own in Spain?
It’s fermented using semi-carbonic maceration
What kind of wine can Tempranillo produce when fermented on its own?
An early drinking style
A fresh, strawberry scented Joven wine
What other broad style does Tempranillo play an important role in in Spain?
More concentrated, age worthy, oaked blends
With which grapes is Tempranillo most commonly blended in Spain?
Garnacha
Graciano
Cariñena/Mazuelo
International varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon
Garnacha Tinta is the Spanish name for…
Grenache
Describe the general profile of Garnacha Tinta
High alcohol Early ripening (with some exceptions)
For which Spanish wines is Garnacha Tinta most important?
Rosados and Priorat
What are the wines of Priorat? How do they achieve this style?
Intense, complex, full-bodied reds from Garnacha Tinta
From low-yielding, old vines
What is the better known name for Monastrell?
Mourvedre
What makes Monastrell suitable for Spain’s climate?
It’s drought tolerant and needs hot sunny conditions to ripen
Where is Monastrell most commonly grown in Spain?
In south-eastern DOs such as Yecla and Jumilla
Describe Monastrell wines from south-eastern Spain
Full-bodied Deeply coloured High tannins High alcohol Low to medium acidity Flavours of ripe blackberry fruit
Where in Spain is Graciano mostly cultivated?
Rioja
How is Graciano used in Rioja?
As part of the blend in many of the best wines
What does Graciano add to a blend?
Tannins, acidity and concentrated black fruit aromas
What is the Spanish name for Carignan?
Cariñena
What else is Carignan called in Spain other than Cariñena? Where is it called this?
Mazuelo
Rioja
What kinds of wine does Cariñena make?
Wines that are high in tannin, colour and acidity
How is Cariñena/Mazuelo used in Spain?
As a blending partner for Tempranillo
Where other than Rioja is Cariñena grown?
Priorat
What is the role of Cariñena in Priorat?
To add tannic structure
Which local black variety is coming to prominence in Spain?
Mencia
To what climate is Mencia best suited?
Moderate climates
Describe wines made from Mencia
Medium to high acidity
Fresh fruit flavours
Sometimes a hint of herbaceousness
How can most of Spain’s white varieties be described?
Fresh and fruity
How are the intended fresh fruit aromas for Spanish whites retained?
Harvesting at night or early morning
Fermenting in temperature-controlled stainless steel
T or F: Spanish whites are only fermented in steel
False; Oak fermentation and maturation are used as well as lees stirring for the addition of texture and flavours
What is the challenge with grape variety Verdejo?
It is particularly susceptible to oxidation
What was Verdejo used to make?
Sherry-like wines
Describe Verdejo when made protectively
Light-bodied
High acid
Melon and peach flavour
Which Spanish grape is seen as similar to Sauvignon Blanc?
Verdejo
With which grape is Verdejo often blended?
Sauvignon Blanc
Other than the ‘Sauvignon style’, what other style can Verdejo be made into? How?
Richer, fuller-bodied style
It undergoes skin contact and barrel fermentation
Where in Spain is Albariño grown?
North-west of Spain
What is Albariño’s best viticultural trait?
It’s thick-skinned and thus able to resist fungal disease
Why is fungal resistance so important for Albariño?
North-western Spain is a damp climate
Describe wines from Albariño
Naturally high in acidity
Citrus and stone fruit flavours
Can be made into a richer, fuller-bodied style
What is the most widely planted variety in Spain?
Airén
Where is the vast majority of Airén planted?
La Mancha in central Spain
Name one of the few varieties able to cope with the extreme heat and drought conditions of the Meseta Central
Airén
What is Airén mostly used for?
Production of Brandy de Jerez
Which local varieties are planted widely in Catalunya? These are the main varieties used in…
Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo
How else is Macabeo known? Where?
Viura
Rioja
Which of Cava’s main varieties is also often used for still wine production?
Macabeo/Viura
Describe the aromas of unoaked Viura
Subtle herb and spice aromas
What is Viura’s traditional role?
As the mainstay of heavily oaked white Riojas
Which international varieties are successful in Spain?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
Where are international varieties most successful in Spain?
North-east
How many geographical regions may the principal DO regions be grouped into?
Six
What are the six geographical DO regions of Spain?
The Upper Ebro Catalunya The Duero Valley The North-West The Levante Castilla-La Mancha
What is the most extensive Spanish region designated for the production of Vino de la Tierra
Castilla y León
Where is Castilla y León?
Towards the north of the Meseta Central
What is Rioja’s principal city?
Logroño
How many sub-regions comprise Rioja?
Three
What are the three sub-regions of Rioja?
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Alta
Rioja Baja
Where is Rioja Alavesa?
To the west of Logroño on the north bank of the Ebro in the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains
Describe the wines of Rioja Alavesa
The lightest of Rioja; they often have the most finesse
How is Rioja Alta located?
To the west of Logroño and south of the Ebro river
List the sub-regions of Rioja in descending order
Rioja Baja
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
What is the topography of Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta?
Both sub-regions are planted at a range of altitudes from 500 to 800 metres
How are the climates of Rioja moderated?
By altitude and the Atlantic Ocean
What shields Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather?
The Cantabrian Mountains
Where is Rioja Baja?
To the east of Logroño, mainly on the south bank of the Ebro
What is the climate in Rioja Baja?
Less maritime
Hotter summers and more severe winters
Low annual rainfall
What is an issue for growers in Rioja?
Drought
What is the most widely planted variety in Rioja?
Tempranillo
Where does Tempranillo do best in Rioja?
In the cooler western sub-regions
Describe the general features of Tempranillo in Rioja
Medium tannins
Red fruit flavours
How does the addition of Garnacha benefit a Tempranillo-based blend?
Garnacha adds body and alcohol
Where in Rioja does Garnacha grow best?
Rioja Baja
What are the less planted/supporting varieties of Rioja?
Mazuelo and Graciano
Describe how an early-drinking style of red Rioja may be made. What kind of result will this have on the wines?
Using semi-carbonic maceration
Wines with vibrant red-fruit flavours
Low levels of smooth tannins
Outline the processes used in making a red Rioja designed for ageing
Usually destemmed and crushed
Undergo traditional fermentation
How may some Rioja producers produce heavily extracted wines? What will the result be?
Vigorous cap-management techniques
Extended periods of maceration
Deep colour and full of fruit flavours
What style of Rioja are many makers now producing?
More subtle, elegant styles
What is the traditional role of oak in Rioja?
Wines were aged in American oak, giving pronounced aromas of vanilla
What is the emerging role of oak in Rioja? What is the result on wine?
Many producers now use oak from France or other European countries for at least some of their wine
More subtle, spicy aromas