Green Spain: Galicia and Basque Country Flashcards
What are the autonomias of Green Spain?
Green Spain includes the autonomía of Galicia, which borders Portugal in the northwestern corner of the country, and the autonomías of Asturias, Cantabria, and País Vasco (Basque Country) along the northern Costa Verde, or green coast.
Describe the landscape of Galicia.
Galicia is a verdant region of lush vegetation and dense forests, riddled with rías (estuaries) and small rivers cutting through low mountain ranges. The cooler maritime climate of the region is ideal for the production of crisp, refreshing white wines, and Galicia is emerging as one of Spain’s best areas for such wines. As the nickname “Green Spain” implies, Galicia is a world removed from the popular conception of an arid Spanish landscape.
What are the 5 DOs of Galicia?
Rías Baixas, Ribeiro, Valdeorras, Ribeira Sacra, and Monterrei.
What are the 5 sub zones of Rías Baixas?
Val do Salnés, Ribeira do Ulla, Soutomaior, O Rosal, and Condado do Tea.
Do white wines from Rias Baixas labeled Albariño contain blending partners?
A wine labeled Rías Baixas Albariño will not contain any blending grapes.
What are the grapes allowed for the northern sub zones of Val do Salnés or Ribeira do Ulla?
They must contain a minimum 70% of recommended varieties: Albariño, Loureiro, Treixadura, and Caiño Blanco.
What are the grapes allowed for the southern sub zones of O Rosal and Condado do Tea?
The wines contain a minimum 70% of Albariño combined with, respectively, either Loureira or Treixadura - the favored white grapes in Portugal’s neighboring Vinho Verde—in any combination.
What do classic expressions of Albariño show?
Classic Albariño wines tend to show stone fruit and citrus flowers, with an undercurrent of minerality.
What grapes are used for red wine production in Rias Baixas?
Caiño, Espadeiro and Mencía, but nearly 96% of the vineyard acreage in Rías Baixas is devoted to Albariño.
What prominent DO is located along the Miño River?
Ribeira DO: Located to the east of Rias Baixas.
What types of wine are produced in Ribeiro DO?
The region produces red and white wines based on Galician varieties—Treixadura is the favored white grape, gradually replacing the neutral, heavier Palomino, and Caiño is preferred for reds.
What is the local specialty in Ribeiro DO?
A dried grape wine, Vino Tostado, is a local specialty.
What is the Ribeira Sacra DO named for?
The “sacred bank” of Ribeira Sacra DO, named for its large concentration of churches.
What are Ribeira Sacra DO’s five subregions?
Amandi, Chantada, Quiroga-Bibei, Riberas do Sil and Riberas do Miño.
What grape varieties are Ribeira Sacra DO’s better red and white wines based on?
Red and white wines are based on Mencía, Treixadura, and Godello.
