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Spanish Wine Scholar > Green Spain: Galicia > Flashcards

Green Spain: Galicia Flashcards

1
Q

Where is Green Spain located?

A

Espana Verde stretches from the Atlantic coastline in northwestern Spain to the western end of the Pyrenees.

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2
Q

Name the autonomous regions located within Green Spain.

A
  1. Galicia
  2. Asturias
  3. Cantabria
  4. Pais Vasco
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3
Q

What is the climate in Green Spain?

A

Cool, wet, maritime climate

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4
Q

Where does Galicia get its name from?

A

The native name for the land is “Galiza”, a word believed to reference the ancient Celtic mother goddess, Cailleach (“Calaicia” in Latin).
The Romans named the area Gallaecia after conquering the local Gallaecians in the 2nd century.

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5
Q

What is vino tostado?

A

A sweet, fortified wine produced from sun-dried grapes.
This wine was popular during the 17th & 18th centuries.

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6
Q

Where is Galicia located?

A

This region is in the northwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, Portugal to the south, and Castilla y Leon & Asturias to the east.

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7
Q

Describe the land of Galicia.

A

The coastal areas of this region are characterized by cliffs & rias (submerged river valleys open to the sea) while the interior is characterized by a hilly & mountainous landscape.

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8
Q

How many provinces are there in Galicia?

A

4

  1. A Coruna
  2. Lugo
  3. Pontevedra
  4. Ourense
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9
Q

Name the capitol city of Galicia.

A

Santiago de Compostela

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10
Q

Which is the largest city in Galicia?

A

Vigo

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11
Q

What is the climate in Galicia?

A

Maritime, temperate

  • Winters are especially mild with heavy rainfall
  • Summers are moderate
  • the northwest coast is slightly cooler than the southwest coastal areas
  • inland areas can experience warmer temperatures
  • southern portions are subject to summer drought with mild temperatures and moderate rainfall
  • northern areas experience milder summers & more uniform rainfall year-round
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12
Q

What is a Rias?

A

A submerged river valley. A branch-like, indented coastline with islands and a convoluted series of inlets that remain open to the sea.
It is the result of partial flooding of an unglaciated river valley due to rising sea levels, or a sinking landmass.

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13
Q

Which region is known as the “country of the thousand rivers”?

A

Galicia, due to its numerous rias.

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14
Q

Name the 2 most important rivers in Galicia.

A
  1. Mino River
  2. Sil River
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15
Q

Which vinetraining methods are used in Galicia?

A
  • Vineyards on the steep hillsides overlooking the rivers are planted en espaldera on terraces
  • Those planted on flatter sites are regularly planted on parrals
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16
Q

Why is the parral vinetraining method preferred in Galicia?

A

This method allows for higher yields.
Land is scarce and vineyards are highly fragmented into many small sites with different owners.

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17
Q

Name the 3 primary mountain ranges of the Macizo Galaico/Galician Massif.

A
  1. Serra do Eixe
  2. Serra de Encina da Lastra
  3. Serra do Courel

They reach average heights of 1,640ft/500m with some rising to more than 6,562ft/2,000m.

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18
Q

What soil types are found in Galicia?

A
  • Along the coast: granite-based, sandy, shallow, slightly acidic
  • Moving inland along the terraced river valleys: granite, coupled with clay
  • Moving even further inland along the river valleys: shallow slate, shale, & granitic sand
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19
Q

What soil is ideally suited for the damp maritime climate of Galicia? Why?

A

Granite

It is porous & provides excellent drainage.

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20
Q

Which grape variety is the star of Rias Baixas?

A

Albarino

Approx. 90% of all plantings.

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21
Q

Why is harvesting labor-intensive & expensive in Galicia?

A

Many of the vineyards are located on slopes & steep terraces along river valleys and require hand-harvest.

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22
Q

Name the DOPs of Galicia.

A
  1. DO Monterrei (1996)
  2. DO Rias Baixas (1988)
  3. DO Ribeira Sacra (1996)
  4. DO Ribeira (1932)
  5. DO Valdeorras (1945)
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23
Q

What styles of wine are produced in DO Rias Baixas?

A
  • Blanco (99%)
  • Tinto (1%)
  • Espumoso (<1%)
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24
Q

What soils are found in DO Rias Baixas?

A

Shallow, sandy soils, some granite; some alluvial soils exist along the Mino River.

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25
Q

What is the climate in DO Rias Baixas?

A

Maritime

Annual rainfall of 67in/1,691mm

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26
Q

Name the white grape varieties of DO Rias Baixas.

A

Prefered:
* Albarino
* Loureira/Loureiro Blanco/Marques
* Treixadura
* Caino Blanco

Authorized:
* Torrentes
* Godello

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27
Q

Name the red grape varieties of DO Rias Baixas.

A

Preferred:
* Caino Tinto
* Espadeiro
* Loureira Tinta
* Souson

Authorized:
* Mencia
* Pedral
* Brancellao

28
Q

Name the 5 sub-zones in DO Rias Baixas.

A
  1. Val do Salnes (1988)
  2. Condado do Tea (1988)
  3. O Rosal (1988)
  4. Soutomaior (1996)
  5. Ribera do Ulla (2000)
29
Q

Which of the 5 sub-zones of DO Rias Baixas is the oldest and most productive?

A

Val do Salnes

More than 50% of Rias Baixas’ total area under vine is found here.

30
Q

Which of the 5 sub-zones of DO Rias Baixas is the coolest & flattest?

A

Val do Salnes

31
Q

Where is Val do Salnes located?

A

This sub-zone of Rias Baixas is located on the lower reaches of the Umia River close to the Atlantic coast.

32
Q

Where is Condado do Tea located?

A

This sub-zone of Rias Baixas is the furthest inland and is situated on the northern bank of the Mino River.
It is the 2nd largest of the sub-zones and boasts the most mountainous terrain.

33
Q

Which sub-zone of Rias Baixas is the most continental and also the warmest?

A

Condado do Tea

34
Q

Where is O Rosal located?

A

This sub-zone of Rias Baixas lies on the right bank of the Mino River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean in Galicia’s southwestern quadrant.
Vineyards are planted on terraces flanking the waterway.

35
Q

Which of the sub-zones in Rias Baixas is the smallest?

A

Soutomaior

It is the only sub-zone whose sole production is varietal Albarino.

36
Q

Where is Soutomaior located?

A

This sub-zone of Rias Baixas is situated in the hills at the head of the Ria de Vigo to the north of Condado do Tea.

37
Q

Which of the sub-zones in Rias Baixas is the northernmost.

A

Ribeiro do Ulla

38
Q

Which of the sub-zones in Rias Baixas produces some of the DO’s finest red wines?

A

Ribeiro do Ulla

39
Q

Where is Ribeiro do Ulla located?

A

This sub-zone of Rias Baixas is situated inland along the Ulla River Valley. It is the northernmost of the sub-zones.

40
Q

What is an “adegas”?

A

It is Galician for “bodega”

41
Q

What are the characteristics of Albarino from Rias Baixas?

A

The younger wines are generally pale in colour with notes of citrus fruit, peaches, and white flowers. They are light-bodied, possess a zesty acidity and often carry a touch of saline.
They are generally unoaked & best consumed young.

42
Q

What food does Albarino pair well with?

43
Q

Which is the oldest DO in Galicia?

A

DO Ribeiro

44
Q

What styles of wine are produced in DO Ribeiro?

A
  • Blanco (90%)
  • Tinto (9%)
  • Other (1%)
45
Q

What soil types are found in DO Ribeiro?

A
  • Granite (~70%) rich in organic matter
  • Schist (~20%)
  • Sedimentary (~10%)
46
Q

What is the climate in DO Ribeiro?

A

Maritime

  • risk of spring frost
  • average rainfall of 35in/900mm
47
Q

Name the white grape varieties of DO Ribeiro.

A

Preferred:
* Treixadura
* Torrontes
* Godello
* Loureira
* Albarino
* Lado

Authorized:
* Albillo
* Macabeo
* Palomino
* Jerez

48
Q

Name the red grape varieties of DO Ribeiro.

A

Preferred:
* Caino Longo
* Caino Tinto
* Caino Bravo
* Souson
* Ferron
* Mencia
* Brancellao

Authorized:
* Tempranillo
* Garnacha
* Tintorera

49
Q

What rivers do the vineyards of DO Ribeiro border?

A
  • Mino
  • Avia
  • Arnoia
50
Q

Where are the best vineyard sites planted in DO Ribeiro?

A

On the hillsides; the cooler air associated with higher elevations maintains acidity and prolongs the growing season.

51
Q

What are the characteristics of wines from DO Ribeiro?

A

Generally medium-bodied, unoaked and Treixadura-dominant.
The wines are usually best consumed young & exhibit fresh acidity with notes of lime, stone fruit, and a hint of cucumber.

52
Q

What is the colleiteiro?

A

A boutique winery in which no more than 15,850gal/60,000l of wine are produced annually. The winery owners must manage the entire production cycle - from vineyard to bottle - using only grapes grown on their estates.

53
Q

Which appellation is known for the colleiteiro?

A

DO Ribeiro

As of 2016, there were 115.

54
Q

What styles of wine are produced in DO Valdeorras?

A
  • Blanco (55%)
  • Tinto (45%)
  • Espumoso (<1%)
  • Other (<1%)
55
Q

What soil types are found in DO Valdeorras?

A

Primarily shallow slate topsoil atop quartzlike & schist bedrock.

56
Q

What is the climate in DO Valdeorras?

A

Maritime with some continental influences.

  • Annual rainfall of 33-39in/850-1000mm
  • Risk of late frosts & hailstorms in spring
57
Q

What river runs through DO Valdeorras?

A

Sil River
Crossing from east to west creating steep slopes on the left bank & gentle slopes on the right bank.
The vineyards flank the river.

58
Q

Name the 8 sub-zones in DO Valdeorras.

A
  1. A Rua
  2. Carballeda de Valdeorras
  3. Larouco
  4. O Barco
  5. O Bolo
  6. Petin
  7. Rubia
  8. Vilamartin

NOT NTK

59
Q

How is it that DO Valdeorras produces some of Green Spain’s highest quality Godello?

A

In the mid-1970s a group of viticulturists began to research the area’s viticultural heritage. They believed that Godello was best-suited for Valdeorras as it was heavily planted pre-phylloxera and was reintroduced after the crisis. Studies were done to identify the original clones, then the best were propagated and planted.

60
Q

What are the varietal requirements of wines labeled Godello in DO Valdeorras?

A

100% Godello

61
Q

What are the varietal requirements of wines labeled Mencia in DO Valdeorras?

A

Min. 85% Mencia

62
Q

What are the varietal requirements of wines from DO Valdeorras labeled vinos espumosos?

A

min. 85% Godello

63
Q

What is Valdeorras Castas Nobles?

A

A distinction awarded to wines produced in DO Valdeorras with a least 85% of the preferred varieties.

64
Q

What are the characteristics of vinos blancos wines from DO Valdeorras?

A

Generally made from Godello.
This grape produces wines with ripe yellow apple fruit and a hint of thyme.
The best have a stoney minerality and are aged in barriques for added complexity.

65
Q

What is the typical grape found in vinos tintos wines from DO Valdeorras?

A

Mencia

These are similar in style to those of neighboring Bierzo.

66
Q

Name the other quality wine regions in Galicia.

A
  • VT Barbanza e Iria (2006)
  • VT Betanzos (2000)
  • VT Ribeiras do Morrazo (2018)
  • VT Val do Mino-Ourense

NOT NTK

Spanish Wine Scholar (31 decks)

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