History

Question 1

1. 3,000-4,000BC cultivation
2. 700BC traces of systematic cultivation
3. 200BC Industrialisation of wine prod under Romans, Spanish exports exceeded IT or FR
4. 16C Sherry Ind
5. 1850s Modern Rioja using FR vat-F methods
6. 1870s J Raventós founded Codorniu, FR turned to Sp post-Phy for wine supplies
7. Late 1890s Phy hits Sp, native varieties not replanted - higher y grapes planted
8. 1920-30s start of DO, first DOs
9. 1939-78 Civil War - Wine Ind crippled
10. 1978 - now: Modernisation of Viti + W/Making
11. European Investment = techniques enhanced (Spain into EU 1978) + companies (M Tores)
12. 2003 Irrigation permitted after drought

Answer 1

1. 3000-4000BC: grapes already cultivated
2. 700BC: first traces of systematic cultivation of vineyards by Greek colonies, in the area now called Emporda
3. 200BC: industrialisation of wine production under Roman rule. Spanish exports far exceeded those of Italy or France.
4. 16th: birth of the Sherry industry that was progressively exported all over the world.
5. 1850s: Luciano de Murrieta produced the first ‘modern Rioja’ using French vat-fermenting methods
6. 1870s: Joseph Raventós founded Codorníu. France turned to Spain post-Phylloxera for wine supplies
7. Late 1890s-Early 20th: Phylloxera hits Spain -> native varieties not replanted in favour of higher yielding ones
8. 1920-30s: start of DO and first DOs created
9. 1939-78: the wine industry is crippled by the Civil War and under Franco’s rule
10. 1978-now: modernisation of viticulture (planting, training & pruning) & winemaking (stainless steel)
11. techniques enhanced by European investment (following Spain EU entry in 78) & companies (Miguel Torres)
12. 2003: irrigation allowed following 1992-3 major drought

Answer 2

1. Spain is one of the most mountainous winemaking country in the world with 650m avg altitude:
2. Key cordilleras influences:
   
   1. The Meseta Central plateau (610-1,000m) tilting towards the west, covers most of central spain and gives birth to Spain’s key rivers
   2. The Cantabrian mountains (up to 2,600m) protect regions like Rioja from rain & winds from Atlantic (Bay of Biscay)
   3. Sierra Morena protects La Mancha from the Mediterranean influence coming from Andalucia•
3. Key rivers:
   
   1. Ebro flowing eastwards through the Rioja to Catalunya, south of Barcelona
   2. Duero flowing westwards through Ribera del Duero, Rueda & Toro and to Portugal - Tajo & Guadiana flowing through La Mancha
   3. Guadalquivir flows through Andalucia to the Atlantic at Sanlúcar de Barrameda