C30 - Spain /checked Flashcards
How many broad climatic zones does Spain have?
3
Describe Spain’s northernmost climatic zone
The north and north-west coast of Spain has a MODERATE MEDITERRANEAN 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 2 challenges to grape growing in Spain?
What area is the exception?
- Heat
- Lack of water
North-west Spain
What is the benefit of the lack of water + humidity for grape-growing in Spain?
Fungal disease risk is low
What is the main disadvantage of lack of water for grape growing in Spain?
Heavy stress on the vine
What is the best way of managing the heat and lack of water availability in Spain? (2 techniques)
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
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? (2)
- NORTH
2. CENTRAL
What are Tempranillo’s key grape characteristics?
skin, acidity
- thick-skinned
- medium acidity
What is the key viticultural challenge relating to Tempranillo?
LACK ACIDITY
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? (4)
- Garnacha
- Graciano
- Cariñena/Mazuelo
- International varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon
Garnacha Tinta is the Spanish name for what French variety?
Grenache
Describe the general profile of Garnacha Tinta
alcohol, ripening
- High alcohol
- Early ripening (with some exceptions)
For which Spanish wines is Garnacha Tinta most important? (2)
- Rosados
2. Priorat
What are the wines of Priorat? How do they achieve this style?
colour, grape, intensity, body, vines
- Reds from Garnacha Tinta
- Intense, complex
- Full-bodied
From low-yielding, old vines
What is the better known name for Monastrell?
Mourvedre
What makes Monastrell suitable for Spain’s climate?
- Drought tolerant
2. Requires 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
body, colour, tannin, alcohol, acidity, aroma/flavour
- 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? (3)
- Tannins,
- Acidity
- 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
In the Rioja
What kinds of wine does Cariñena make? (3)
- high in tannin
- high in colour
- high in acidity
How is Carignan/Cariñena/Mazuelo used in Spain?
As a blending partner for Tempranillo
To what climate is Mencia best suited?
Moderate climates
Describe wines made from Mencia
acidity, aroma/flavour
- 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
2. Fermenting in temperature-controlled stainless steel
What is the challenge with grape variety Verdejo? (1)
It is particularly susceptible to OXIDATION
Describe Verdejo when made protectively
body, acidity, aroma/flavour
- 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?
skin
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
acidity, aroma/flavour, body
- 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? (3)
These are the main varieties used in Cava
- Parellada
- Xarel-lo
- 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
Which international varieties are successful in Spain?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
What are the 6 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
What is Rioja’s principal city?
Logroño
What are the 3 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
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? (2)
- Altitude
2. Atlantic Ocean
What shields Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather?
The Cantabrian Mountains
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? (1)
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
tannin, flavour
- Medium tannins
- Red fruit flavours
How does the addition of Garnacha benefit a Tempranillo-based blend? (2)
Garnacha adds
- body
- 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. (1 technique)
What kind of result will this have on the wines?
flavours, tannin
Using semi-carbonic maceration
- Wines with vibrant red-fruit flavours
- Low levels of smooth tannins
How may some Rioja producers produce heavily extracted wines?
(1 vineyard technique, 1 wine making technique)
What will the result be?
colour, flavour
- Vigorous cap-management techniques
- Extended periods of maceration
- Deep colour
- full of fruit flavours
What is the traditional role of oak in Rioja?
Wines were aged in American oak, giving pronounced aromas of vanilla