General wine law

Question 1

In Spain, what appellation designations represent the 2 highest tiers of quality wine?

Answer 1

Denominación de Origen (DO)

Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa)

Question 2

What appellation designations in Spain are equivalent to the EU’s Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) status?

Answer 2

Denominación de Origen (DO)

Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa)

Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VCIG)

Question 3

In Spain, the lowest level of quality wine is labeled as what?

Answer 3

Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)

Question 4

Which appellation designation in Spain falls within the EU’s Protected Geographical Indication (IGP) scheme?

Answer 4

Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)

Question 5

Describe the DO Pago (Vinos de Pago) designation.

Answer 5

Theoretically superior appellation to the basic DO.

An estate must surpass the basic DO requirements in DO Pago legislation, typically through lower yields and oher measures suggestie of quality winemaking.

In order to apply for DO Pago status an estate should show international critical praise and a decade’s worth of quality production.

Question 6

List the 3 general age categories used in Spain.

Answer 6

Crianza

Reserva

Gran Reserva

Question 7

In addition to Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva list the additional aging terminology that producers in Spain can use on their labels.

Answer 7

Noble

Añejo

Viejo

Question 8

What are the aging requirements in Spain for a Crianza wine? (excluding Rioja and Ribera del Duero)

Answer 8

Red - 2 years including 6 months in cask

White - 18 months including 6 months in cask

Question 9

What are the aging requirements in Spain for a Reserva wine? (excluding Rioja and Ribera del Duero)

Answer 9

Red - 3 years including 1 year in cask

White - 2 years including 6 months in cask

Question 10

What are the aging requirements in Spain for a Gran Reserva wine? (excluding Rioja and Ribera del Duero)

Answer 10

Red - 5 years including 18 months in cask

White - 4 years including 6 months in cask

Question 11

What does Noble indicatate on the label of a Spanish wine?

Answer 11

That the wine was aged for at least 18 months in a cask of less than 600 L or bottle.

Question 12

What does Añejo indicatate on the label of a Spanish wine?

Answer 12

That the wine was aged for at least 24 months in a cask of less than 600 L or bottle.

Question 13

What does Viejo indicatate on the label of a Spanish wine?

Answer 13

That the wine was aged for at least 36 months in a cask of less than 600 L or bottle.

Demonstrates marked oxidative character.