General

Question 1

What is responsible for Northern/Central Spain’s mostly continental climate?

Answer 1

A network of mountains that blocks the maritime influence (Pyrenees and Cantabrian ranges in the North).

Question 2

What is the main geographical feature?

Answer 2

A large elevated plateau in the interior called the “meseta” (60% of Spain lies above 2000 ft elevation)

Question 3

Which areas have a maritime climate?

Answer 3

The exposed area in NW Spain (Galicia) and the Southwest and Mediterranean coastal areas

Question 4

How many autonomous communities in Spain?

Answer 4

17. 15 on the mainland and 2 exclaves on the N coast of Africa

Question 5

What is the most widely planted grape variety? Which area is known for growing it?

Answer 5

Airen (25% of plantings), used for making brandy/bulk wine (second is Tempranillo at 20% of plantings).
Castilla La Mancha is dominant region for Airen.

Question 6

What are the six categories of wine according to Spanish wine law?

Answer 6

Vino de mesa (table wine)
PGI-level wine (“vino de la tierra de…”) (42)
4 categories of wine with PDO status:
VCIG (“Vino de calidad de….”) (8)
Vino de Pago (20)
DO (67)
DOCa (Denominacion de origen calificada) (2): Priorat and Rioja

Question 7

What is a “vino de pago” wine?

Answer 7

A status that recognizes specific, single vineyard, estate-bottled wines of distinction (of which there are currently 20).

Question 8

What are the aging requirements for PGI/PDO wines?

Answer 8

Vino nobile (18 months oak or bottle), vino anejo (24 months oak or bottle) and vino viejo (36 months of aging in a “strongly oxidative” environment).

Question 9

What terms are PDO-only wines allowed to use on the label?

Answer 9

RED: Crianza, (6/24), Reserva (12/36), Gran Reserva (18/60)
WHITE/ROSE: Crianza, (6/18), Reserva (6/24), Gran Reserva (6/48). SOME APPELLATIONS WILL HAVE STRICTER REQ.’TS!!

Question 10

What are the three main grapes in Cava?

Answer 10

Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada

Question 11

What is Tempranillo known as in Castilla La Mancha?

Answer 11

Cencibel

Question 12

What are the two rankings of Vino de Pago and what distinguishes them?

Answer 12

Vino de Pago is a single-estate classification for high-end wineries unable to claim a DO title either because 1) the vineyard is outside a DO catchment area, or 2) the wine style does not conform to the local DO production laws. In the first case, the estate is given standard ‘Vino de Pago’ status. In the second case, it is given the higher ‘Vino de Pago Calificado’ status.