Grapes and wines of Spain Flashcards
Describe the climatic zones of Spain with associated features
North and North-west coast: Moderate maritime climate, dominated by Atlantic weather systems i.e. high rainfall
East coast from Catalunya to Levante: warm Mediterranean climate, moderation by sea or altitude (gets hotter further south)
Meseta Central: encircling mountains mostly cut off sea influences, hot continental climate. Temperatures fall below freezing in winter and in Summer they get very high, with limited rainfall. High altitude sites are more moderated by cooler nights
What are the biggest challenges to grape growing? How is this managed?
Heat and lack of water (with the exception of NW Spain) places heavy stress on the vines
Low density bush training = maximises amount of water available to each vine, and shades fruit from excessive heat
Wire training is being introduced in areas where it is affordable and practical
Summarise the range of winemaking styles of Spain
Inexpensive wines can be made without oak and semi-carbonic maceration is often used to enhance fruitiness
Best wines usually see oak maturation, often with a proportion of new oak. Traditionally they used American oak, but now French oak is more common
Describe the characteristics of the Tempranillo grape with respect to Spain’s climates
Thick-skinned with medium acidity - needs sufficient warmth to develop flavours, but hot climates WITHOUT a high diurnal temperature range can cause the wine to lack necessary acidity for ideal balance
Tempranillo grows best where summer temperatures are moderated by sea/alitutde
Describe winemaking practice with Tempranillo
Can produce a strawberry-scented Joven wine on its own, fermented often using semi-carbonic maceration for early-drinking style
Plays key role in more concentrated ageworthy oaked blends e.g. with Garnacha and Carinena or Cabernet Sauvignon
List all the alternative names for Tempranillo and where they are used
Ull de Llebre - Penedès
Cencibel - Castilla-La Mancha
What is the Spanish for PDO? give corresponding regulations
Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP)
or Denominación de Origen (DO) - minimum quality with rules around grape varieties, viticulture, location
or Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) - DO’s of at least 10 years can apply for this more prestigious category. Only two DOCa’s exist: Rioja, Prioriat. NOTE in Priorat they use the Catalan: Denominació d’Origen Qualificada (DOQ)
What is VP?
Vinos de Pago - given to a small number of estates with high reputations. Approved estates may only use their own grapes which must be vinified and matured on their estate.
What is the PGI for Spain?
Vino de la Tierra (VdIT)
List the ageing terminology
Joven
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva (only produced in exceptional vintages, rarely used for white and rose)
Give the ageing requirements for red wines under each term
Joven - min 0 total, min 0 in barrel
Crianza - min 24 total, min 6 in barrel
Reserva - min 36 total, min 12 in barrel
Gran Reserva - min 60 total, min 18 in barrel
Note many producers exceed ageing requirements, and in Rioja for example wines must be aged even longer in total and in barrel.
Give the ageing requirements for white wines under each term
Joven - min 0 total, min 0 in barrel
Crianza - min 18 total, min 6 in barrel
Reserva - min 24 total, min 6 in barrel
Gran Reserva - min 48 total, min 6 in barrel
Summarise the role of Garnacha Tinta in Spain
(Grenache)
High alcohol and deeply coloured wine with red fruit flavours, matures early but some exceptions exist.
Widely used for rosados
Important in Priorat = low-yielding vines produce intense, complex, full-bodied reds
Also grown in Rioja Baja as a blending partner to Tempranillo to contributed perfumed fruit flavours.
Also widely grown in Carinena, Calatayud and Navarra.
Describe the characteristics of Monastrell and role in Spain
(Mourvèdre)
Thick-skinned, drought tolerant but needs hot and sunny conditions to ripen
Grown in South-Eastern DO’s e.g. Yecla and Jumilla
Very deeply-coloured, full-bodied wines with high tannin and alcohol, low to medium acidity, flavours of ripe blackberry fruit
Describe the characteristics and role of Graciano in Spain
Challenging to grow, but highly valued
Mainly in Rioja, used in small part in blends
Adds concentrated black fruit aromas, acidity and tannins to structure of wine to help age
Describe the characteristics and role of Cariñena in Spain
(Carignan in France, Mazuelo in Rioja)
Wines are high in acidity, tannin, colour
Small proportion makes ideal blend with Tempranillo
Grown in Priorat - blended with Garnacha to enhance tannic structure
Describe the characteristics and role of Mencía in Spain
Suits moderate climates, gives wines with fresh fruit, medium to high acidity, sometimes a hint of herbaceousness
Describe the characteristics and role of Verdejo in Spain
Highly susceptible to oxidation, was used to make Sherry-like wines.
Now use protective winemaking to make a light-bodied, high acid, melon and peach-flavoured style similar to Sauvignon Blanc.
Often blended with Sauvignon Blanc
Can be made fuller-bodied and richer using skin contact and barrel fermentation
Describe the characteristics and role of Albariño in Spain
Thick-skinned, able to resist fungal disease - useful in damp climate of north west Spain
Naturally high in acidity, produces refreshing wines with citrus and stone fruit flavours, can be made in richer, fuller-bodied style
Describe the characteristics and role of Airén in Spain
Most widely planted variety, mostly in La Mancha
Resists extreme heat and drought conditions of Meseta Central
Can be made into dry neutral white wine, but most of output is used for Brandy de Jerez
Describe the characteristics and role of Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo in Spain
Grown widely, main varieties used in Cava production
Macabeo (Viura in Rioja) is usually used for still wine production: unoaked, subtle herb and spice aromas (was originally big part of heavily oaked Riojas)
List the international varieties grown in Spain
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Common in North-east, sometimes in blends with local varieties
What is the most extensive Vino de la Tierra region?
Castilla y Léon
Which of the Rioja regions generally produce the lightest wines with the most finesse?
Rioja Alavesa
Describe the vineyard layout and climate of Rioja Alta and Baja
Range of altitudes 500-800m
Moderated by Atlantic Ocean, but Cantabrian Mountains shield from worst weather
In Rioja Baja, the climate is less maritime with hotter summers and more severe winters, low annual rainfall (drought)
Describe the main style of Rioja
Tempranillo (does best in cooler western sub-regions), main component of most blends giving red fruit flavours and medium tannins
Garnacha (grown best in Rioja Baja) gives body and alcohol to blend
Mazuelo and Graciano can provide supporting role in blend
Describe winemaking styles of Rioja
Early drinking style: semi-carbonic maceration for vibrant fruit flavours, low levels of smooth tannin
Long-term maturation: destem and crush, tradtional fermentation. Sometimes vigorous cap management and extended maceration for heavy extraction (deep colour, concentrated fruit flavours), but many are many more elegant subtle styles.
Oak maturation: traditionally American oak with pronounced aromas of vanilla. Now more French oak is used to give more subtle spicy aromas
How many white varieties are approved for use in Rioja?
8
What is the most widely planted white variety in Rioja?
Viura
Describe white winemaking techniques
Traditionally aged for extended periods in American oak giving wines with deep golden colour and nutty flavours. Now modern methods use minimal oxygen contact to preserve fruit flavours and aromas. Some bodegas produce barrel-fermented white wine, but less oxidative style than traditional white Riojas
Describe the climate of Navarra
Similar to Rioja (some Atlantic influence) but cooler and wetter near Pyrenees
Describe the wine styles of Navarra
Tempranillo blended with other Rioja varieties (e.g. Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano) or with international varieties e.g. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.
Joven to Gan Reservas are produced
Garnacha can be used to make rose, where the grapes are picked earlier at higher acid and lower sugar levels, followed by protective handling to create refreshing fruity wine
What white wine exists in Navarra?
Very small production
Viura, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Describe the climate of Cariñena and Calatayud
Warm continental climate, low rainfall
Describe wine styles of Cariñena and Calatayud
Inexpensive wines made in fruity, early-drinking style
Higher quality wines made from old vine Garnacha and Cariñena, display greater flavour intensity and structure
Describe the generic Catalunya DO for wine
Only still wines from the entire region, originally created for large volumes of blended wine
Describe the climate of Penedès
Three distinct climatic zones:
- Hottest on coastal plain = Mediterranean climate
- Inland in valleys = slightly cooler but still warm
- Further into hills at high altitudes (800m) = moderate climate
What wine does Penedès make?
Wide variety due to varying climates and landscape
Most planted white grapes are used to make Cava: Xarel-lo, Parellada, Macabeo
Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurtzraminer
Describe the climate of Priorat and which grapes it is best suited to
Long, hot, dry summers and low annual rainfall. Cool night time temperatures provide some relief from the heat of the day:
Old vine Garnacha and Cariñena - late ripening varieties
Describe the best soils of Priorat
Llicorella soils: layers of red slate with small particles of mica that sparkle in the sun, which help ripening by reflecting and conserving heat. They are also quite deep, and therefore able to retain sufficient water throughout growing season.
Describe vineyard management in Priorat
Bush vines and steep slopes: mechanisation is almost impossible, so vineyards are expensive and time consuming to manage.
Low nutrient soils and old vines means very small yields of grapes = very complex and intense Priorat wine
Describe a typical Priorat wine
Low yields and complex/intense wines means Priorat wines are rarely cheap
Red Priorat: Garnacha and Cariñena, sometimes international varieties added e.g. Cabernet Sauvignon.
-Deeply coloured, high tannin, medium to high alcohol, concentrated black fruit, often accompanied by toasty aromas from new French oak
Some white and rose made, but rarely seen
Describe the climate of Ribera del Duero
Cut off from Maritime influence by ring of mountains
Short, hot, dry summers, very cold winters
Describe the vineyard layout of Ribera del Duero and effect on grape quality
Highest part of Meseta Central: some at over 850m. High altitude means the region experiences cool night-time temps throughout the year, helping to retain acidity and fresh fruit flavours in grapes
What wine does the Ribera del Duero DO allow?
Only red and rose, but majority is red
Describe a typical Ribera del Duero DO wine
Tempranillo: dominant in blend or single-varietal, dark wines with high tannin
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot rarely used but permitted
Garnacha mostly made into dry rose
Describe typical winemaking practices for Ribera del Duero DO
Many winemakers choose to accentuate concentrated fruit flavours and tannins in grapes by undertaking long macerations and ageing wines in short time in new oak barrels (French rather than American)
Describe the climate of Toro and the effect on grape growing/quality
Similar to Ribera del Duero (long, hot, dry summers with very cold winters) - produces full-bodied reds with intense fruit flavours and high alcohol from low-yielding Tempranillo bush vines
Describe a typical Toro wine
Predominantly Tempranillo - full-bodied, intense fruit, high alcohol
Garnacha
Joven typically have a proportion of Garnacha, and Reservas and Gran Reservas are exceptionally deeply coloured and tannic when young with the ability to age well
Small quantities of white and rose made
Describe the climate of Rueda
Continental climate with cool summer nights
Describe a typical Rueda wine
Often white, made from single varietal or blended Verdejo and Sauvignon blanc
A blended wine must contain at least 50% Verdejo
Range from simple, fruity to richer, barrel-fermented
Describe the climate of Rías Baixas and influence on grape quality and vineyard management
Moderate, damp climate due to Atlantic influence. Disease such as mildew and rot are common
Pergola training is used to encourage air circulation, while others use different forms of trellising
Describe a typical Rías Baixas wine
Albariño
made in refreshing unoaked style, takes advantage of grapes naturally high acidity and ripe stone fruit flavours. Some are made in richer style sometimes with a touch of oak or lees stirring
Very little red wine is made here
Describe the climate of Bierzo
In the mountains: moderate climate with cooling maritime influence
Describe a typical Bierzo wine
Predominantly red wine, key variety is Mencía
Elegant red wine with naturally high acidity, red fruit aromas. Many best examples come from old vines on steep stony slopes
Some unoaked examples exist to preserve red fruit of grape variety, but many use new oak to add toasty aromas
Describe the wine styles and grape varieties best known in Valencia
Value-for-money wines, many local and international varieties
Monastrell (Mourvèdre)
Merseguera
Muscat of Alexandria produces Moscatel de Valencia (sweet fortified wine)
Describe the climate of Jumilla and Yecla and its effect on grape varieties and style
Hot, arid climate - perfect for Monastrell
Mostly youthful and fruity wine style
Describe the climate of Castilla-La Mancha
Hot continental climate
What is the most widely planted variety of La Mancha? What style of wine does it produce?
Airén - neutral, fresh white wines (note this is in decline, making way for other varieties encouraged by authorities)
What varieties other than Airén are being planted in La Mancha? Describe typical style
Cencibel (Tempranillo), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Significant investment in technology and expertise = inexpensive well-made reds and whites for export
Origin of trend of top-quality pagos wines - majority of Vinos de Pago estates are here
Describe typical wines from Valdepeñas
Airén (most widely planted), Cencibel (Tempranillo) made into single-varietal or blends with international varieties
Wines vary from fruity to more concentrated and oak matured
How is Cava made? Describe varieties and style
Traditional method with min. 9 months on lees (some undergo extensive lees ageing).
Traditional varieties: white wines = Xarel-lo, Macabeo (Viura), Parellada; rose wines = Garnacha Tinta, Monastrell
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay recently added to permitted varieties to add additional fruit and acidity, but contentious because many producers believe it detracts from the point of difference of Cava.
Most are dry, medium acidity, easy drinking, some character from yeast autolysis (differ in nature to Champagne bready and toasty character).
Most non-vintage, ready to drink on release.
List notable areas for Cava production
Sant Sadurní d’Anoia in Catalunya - main output
Navarra, Rioja, Valencia
