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)