Chapter 30 - Spain Flashcards
What are the three broad climatic zones of Spain?
1) North and North-West has a moderate maritime climate
2) East coast from Catalunya to Levante has a warm Mediterranean climate
3) Meseta Central has a hot continental climate
What are the biggest challenges to grape growing in Spain?
With the excepton of the North-West, heat and the lack of water are the biggest challenges.
What are the key black varieties of Spain?
1) Tempranillo
2) Garnacha Tinta (Grenache - widely used for rosados)
3) Monastrell (Mourvedre)
4) Graciano (grown mainly in Rioja)
5) Carinena (Carignan) aka Mazuelo (in Rioja)
6) Mencia
What are the key white varieties of Spain?
1) Verdejo (similar to Sauvignon blanc)
2) Albarino
3) Airen
4) Macebeo aka Viura (in Rioja)
What international varieties can also be found in Spain?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
What are the designations of PDO and PGI wines of Spain?
1) DOP - Denominacion de Origen Protegida
2) DO (Denominacion de Origen
3) DOCa (Denominacion de Origen Calificada
4) VP - Vinos de Pago
5) VdlT - Vino de la Tierra
What are the minimum ageing in months for Spanish Red wines (Total/in Barrel)?
1) Joven 0/0
2) Crianza 24/6
3) Reserva 36/12
4) Gran Reserva 60/18
What are the minimum ageing in months for Spanish White wines (Total/in Barrel)
1) Joven 0/0
2) Crianza 18/6
3) Reserva 24/6
4) Gran Reserva 48/6
What are the six principal DO regions of Spain?
1) The Upper Ebro
2) Catalunya
3) The Duero Valley
4) The North West
5) The Levante
6) Castilla-La Mancha
Which region of Spain is the most extensive for the production of Vino de la Tierra?
Castilla y Leon
What are the three main growing appellations within the Upper Ebro area of Spain?
1) Rioja
2) Navarra
3) Carinena and Calatayud
What are the three sub-regions of Rioja?
1) Rioja Alavesa
2) Rioja Alta
3) Rioja Baja
What is the most planted variety in Rioja?
Tempranillo
In addition to Tempranillo, what other black grapes are planted in Rioja?
Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano
What is the most widely planted white grape in Rioja?
Viura
What is the most planted variety in Navarra?
Tempranillo
What grapes are used to make rose in Navarra?
Garnacha
What is the most planted variety of Carinena and Calatayud?
Garnacha
What are the two sub-areas within Catalyunya?
Penedes and Priorat
Where is the majority of Spanish Cava made?
Within Catalunya region.
What are the main grapes of Priorat?
Garnacha and Carinena
What are the main appellations within the Duero Valley region of Spain?
1) Ribera del Duero
2) Toro
3) Rueda
Ribera del Duero is a DO for red and rose wine only, True or False?
True
What is the dominant grape of Ribera del Duero?
Tempranillo
How does Rueda differ from Ribera del Duero and Toro?
It focuses on white wine production
What is the traditional grape variety of Rueda?
Verdejo
What are the main appellations within the North West region of Spain
1) Rias Baixas
2) Bierzo
What is the most celebrated wine of the North West of Spain?
Albarino white wines from Rias Baixas DO
What is the key grape variety of Bierzo?
Mencia
What are the main appellations within the Levante region of Spain?
Valencia, Jumilla & Yecla
What is the most planted grape of Valencia?
Monastrell is the most planted red grape. White plantings are dominated by Merseguera and Muscat of Alexandria
What is the most planted grape of Jumilla and Yecla
Monastrell
What are the main appellations within the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain?
1) La Mancha
2) Valdepenas
What is the most widely planted grape variety of La Mancha?
Airen, which produces neutral, fresh white wines, however plantings are being changed over to Tempranillo
What is the most planted grape of Valdepenas?
Airen
