Green Spain: Galicia and Basque

Question 1

What are the 4 autonomia’s of “Green Spain?’

Answer 1

Galicia Asturias Cantabria Pais Vasco (Basque Country)

Question 2

What are the 5 DOs of Galicia?

Answer 2

Rías Baixas Ribeiro Valdeorras Ribeira Sacra Monterrei

Question 3

What are estuaries called in Green Spain?

Answer 3

rías

Question 4

What does Rias Baixas mean?

Answer 4

“low estuaries” - boarders Portugal.

Question 5

What are the 5 sub-zones of Rias Baixas?

Answer 5

Val do Salnés Ribeira do Ulla Soutomaior O Rosal Condado do Tea

Question 6

Does a wine labeled “Rias Baixas Albarino” contain any blending grapes?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

If labled by one of the five sub-zones, what % of Albarino must be in the bottle?

Answer 7

Min. of 70% albarino in Val do Salnés or Ribeira do Ulla (northern regions) Min. of 70% albarino or Loureira or Treixadura (found in Vinho Verde) O Rosal and Condado do Tea. southern regions

Question 8

If Barrica is found on the label, what does this mean?

Answer 8

Albania that has seen barrel aging and possible malolatic fermentation.

Question 9

What % of acreage is devoted to Albarino?

Answer 9

90%

Question 10

When was Ribeiro DO established?

Answer 10

1932 (one of the oldest exporting parts since the 17th century)

Question 11

What are the red grapes in Rias Baixas DO?

Answer 11

Caiño, Espadeiro Mencía

Question 12

What types of wine was the local specialty?

Answer 12

Viño Tostado (red + whites based on Galician varietals)

Question 13

What is the meaning behind Ribeira Sacra DO?

Answer 13

It means “sacred banks” -named for it’s large concentration of churches.

Question 14

What are the five subregions of Ribeira Sacra DO?

Answer 14

Amandi Chantada Quiroga-Bibei Riberas do Sil Riberas do Miño

Question 15

What is the prominent terrain of Ribeira Sacra DO?

Answer 15

Steeply terraced slopes built by the Romans 2000 years ago.

Question 16

What are the most successful grapes in Ribeira Sacra DO?

Answer 16

Mencía Treixadura and Godello (fruit-drive high acid whites)

Question 17

What is the Monterrei DO known for?

Answer 17

southernmost DO in Galicia and also the smallest with but a handful of wineries.

Question 18

Do the Autnomias Asturias and Cantabria host any DO’s?

Answer 18

No

Question 19

What are the three principal DOs zones of Pais Vasco DO?

Answer 19

Getariako Txakolina Bizkaiko Txakolina Arabako Txakolina

Question 20

What styles of wines are permitted in these 3 DOs?

Answer 20

White, Rose and red

Question 21

What is the prominent white grape?

Answer 21

Ondarrabi Zuri (It’s native!!) - 95% of vineyard acreage.

Question 22

What is the local red grape?

Answer 22

Ondarrabi Beltza

Question 23

What are rare rosados referred to as?

Answer 23

Ojo de Gallo -often a blend of red/white

Question 24

What are the whites a perfect compliment to?

Answer 24

Oily seafood - low in alc. and high in acidity light in effervescent. To be consumed in their youth.