Galicia & Basque Country Flashcards
What are the four autonomías of “Green Spain”?
Galicia,Asturias, Cantabira, and País Vasco
Where is Galicia located?
Along the northern border of Portugal. Between the Cantabrican Mountains and the Atlantic Coast.
What are the five DOs of Galicia?
Rías Baixas, Ribeiro, Valdeorras, Ribeira Sacra, and Monterrei.
What is the translation for Rías Baixas?
the “low estuaries”
What are eh five sub-zones of Rías Baixas?
Val do Salnés, Ribeira do Ulla, Soutomaior, O Rosal, and Condado do Tea
What is the minimum % of Albariño in varietally labeled Rías Baixas?
100%
What are the “northern” sub-zones of Rías Baixas?
Val do Salnés & Ribeira do Ulla
What are the “southern” sub-zones of Rías Baixas?
O Rosal & Condado do Tea
What are the varietal requirements for the “northern” sub-zones of Rías Baixas?
minimum 70% of recommended varieties: Albariño, Loureiro, Treixadura, Caiño Blanco
What are the varietal requirements for the “southern” sub-zones of Rías Baixas?
minimum 70% Albariño, blended with either Loureira or Treixadura
What percentage of vineyards in Rías Baixas are planted to Albariño?
~96%
What is a common vinification method used in Rías Baixas?
Malolactic Fermentation
How is barrel aging indicated on the label for Rías Baixas wines?
Barrica
What is the traditional vine training method used in Rías Baixas? What is it used for?
Parras. Wire trellises on granite posts, forming an ~7” canopy of grapes. Allows for circulation to prevent mildew.
What is the modern vine training method used in Rías Baixas? What is it called locally?
Double Guyot system. Locally called “espaldera”.
What is the river that flows along the Ribeiro DO?
Miño River
What is the dominant red and white variety of Ribeiro DO?
Treixadura (white)
Caiño (red)
What is Vino Tostado?
Dessert wine from Ribeiro (from authorized DO varieties), that is raisinated for at least 90 days, barrel aged for 180 days, and with at least 300g/L of RS.
What are the 5 sub-regions of Ribeira Sacra DO?
Amandi, Chantada, Quiroga-Bibei, Riberas do Sil, Riberas do Miño
What is the terrain of the Ribeira Sacra?
Steep, terraced slopes.
Who built the terraces of the Ribeira Sacra? When?
Romans. c. 29 BC.
What are the 3 top varieties of Ribeira Sacra?
Mencía (red), Treixadura (white), Godello (white)
Where is Valdeorras DO located?
Eastern boundary of Galicia.
What style and grape variety are Valdeorras DO most known for?
High-acid whites from Godello.
Where is Monterrei DO located?
Southern boundary of Galicia, on the Portuguese border.
What is Basque Country known as in Spain?
País Vasco
What are the principal DOs of the País Vasco?
Getariako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, and Arabako Txakolina
What is the “recommended” grape variety of the País Vasco?
Hondarribi Zuri
What is the French synonym for Hondarribi Zuri?
Courbu Blanc
What are the grape varieties commonly called Hondarribi Zuri in the País Vasco?
Courbu Blanc, Crouchen, Noah
What is the red grape of the País Vasco?
Hondarribi Beltza
From which variety does Hondarribi Beltza derive?
Cabernet Franc
What are rosado wines known as in the País Vasco?
Ojo de Gallo
How are rosado wines made in the País Vasco?
Blending
