Green Spain: Galicia and Basque Country Flashcards
What regions are included in “Green Spain”?
The autonomía of Galicia, and the autonomías of Asturias, Cantabria, and País Vasco (Basque Country) along the northern Costa Verde
What is the climate of Galicia, and why is it ideal for wine production?
Galicia has a cooler maritime climate, ideal for producing crisp, refreshing white wines
How does Galicia differ from the typical conception of Spain’s landscape?
Galicia is a verdant region with lush vegetation, dense forests, and rías (estuaries), a contrast to the arid landscapes commonly associated with Spain
What are the five DOs within Galicia?
Rías Baixas, Ribeiro, Valdeorras, Ribeira Sacra, and Monterrei
What is the significance of Albariño in Rías Baixas DO?
Albariño is the primary grape, and a wine labeled Rías Baixas Albariño will not contain any blending grapes
How many subzones are in Rías Baixas DO, and can you name them?
There are five subzones: Val do Salnés, Ribeira do Ulla, Soutomaior, O Rosal, and Condado do Tea
What are the blending requirements for wines labeled with the northern subzones (Val do Salnés or Ribeira do Ulla) of Rías Baixas?
They must contain a minimum of 70% of recommended varieties: Albariño, Loureiro, Treixadura, and Caiño Blanco
How do the southern subzones of Rías Baixas differ in their blending requirements?
Wines must contain a minimum of 70% Albariño combined with either Loureira or Treixadura, depending on the subzone
What are the common characteristics of classic Albariño wines from Rías Baixas?
They tend to show stone fruit and citrus flowers, with an undercurrent of minerality
What percentage of vineyard acreage in Rías Baixas is devoted to Albariño?
Nearly 96% of the vineyard acreage is devoted to Albariño
What are the primary red grapes used in Rías Baixas DO?
Caiño, Espadeiro, and Mencía
What is significant about Ribeiro DO in the history of Spanish wine?
Ribeiro DO is one of Spain’s oldest recognized wine regions, with exports to England dating back to the 17th century
Where is Ribeiro DO located, and what are its primary grape varieties?
Ribeiro DO is located along the Miño River to the east of Rías Baixas. Treixadura is the favored white grape, and Caiño is preferred for reds
What is Vino Tostado, and where is it produced?
Vino Tostado is a local specialty dried grape wine produced in Ribeiro DO
What does Ribeira Sacra DO mean, and why is it named so?
Ribeira Sacra means “sacred bank,” named for its large concentration of churches
How many subregions are in Ribeira Sacra DO, and can you name them?
There are five subregions: Amandi, Chantada, Quiroga-Bibei, Ribeiras do Sil, and Ribeiras do Miño
What do the steeply terraced slopes in Ribeira Sacra DO resemble, and who built them?
They resemble the regions of the northern Rhône and were built by the Romans around 2000 years ago
What are the primary grape varieties used in Ribeira Sacra DO?
Mencía, Treixadura, and Godello
What is the focus of wine production in Valdeorras DO, Galicia’s easternmost zone?
The region is best known for clean, fruit-driven, high-acid Godello whites
What is notable about Monterrei DO in Galicia?
Monterrei is the southernmost DO in Galicia and is a small region with only a handful of wineries
Which regions in Green Spain do not produce any DO wine?
Asturias and Cantabria
What are the three principal DO zones in the País Vasco (Basque Country)?
Getariako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, and Arabako Txakolina
What is the primary grape variety in Getariako Txakolina, and how much vineyard acreage does it cover?
Ondarrabi Zuri (Hondarribi Zuri), which accounts for 95% of vineyard acreage
What is the preferred local red grape variety in the País Vasco’s Txakolina DOs?
Ondarrabi Beltza
What are Txakoli wines, and what are their key characteristics?
Txakoli wines are low in alcohol, high in lemony acidity, and retain a light effervescence, making them perfect for pairing with oily seafood
What is the traditional name for the rare rosado wines in Txakolina DOs?
Ojo de Gallo
What is Castilla y León, and why is it historically significant?
Castilla y León, or Old Castile, is Spain’s largest autonomía. It is historically significant as “the land of castles” and was central to the birth of the Kingdom of Spain through its dynastic union with Aragon in the 15th century
What was the only official dialect in Spain before the 1978 constitution?
Castilian Spanish
What is the general climate of Castilla y León, and what geographical feature characterizes the region?
The region has a continental climate, with extreme highs and lows, and it consists of the northern part of the Meseta Central, the arid central plateau of Spain
Name the major DOs along the Duero River in Castilla y León.
Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Toro, Tierra del Vino de Zamora, and Arribes
Where are Arlanza DO and Cigales DO located in relation to Ribera del Duero?
Arlanza DO is directly north of Ribera del Duero, and Cigales DO is to the west of both appellations
Which DOs are located in the mountainous northwestern corner of Castilla y León?
León DO and Bierzo DO
What grape variety is dominant in Bierzo DO, and what types of wine are produced from it?
The Mencía grape is dominant, and it is used to produce red and rosé wines
Which producer achieved recognition for Bierzo DO with their biodynamic “Corullón” bottlings?
Alvaro Palacios, along with his nephew Ricardo Pérez, founded Descendientes de José Palacios and achieved recognition with their “Corullón” bottlings
What types of soils are the “Corullón” bottlings sourced from?
Mountainside Schist Soils
Which modern trailblazers are also recognized for commanding top dollar for their Bierzo wines?
Dominio de Tares and Pittacum
What are the main white grape varieties in Bierzo DO, and which one still dominates the vineyards?
Godello and Doña Blanca show more promise, but Palomino still dominates the vineyards
When was León DO upgraded from Vino de la Tierra, and what types of wine does it produce?
León DO was upgraded in 2007, and it produces reds, whites, and rosados
What are the recommended red grape varieties in León DO?
Mencía and the local Prieto Picudo
