Introduction to Spain

Question 1

When did the Phoenicians found the city of Cadiz in Spain?

Answer 1

1100 BCE

Question 2

What evidence is there of early winemaking in Spain?

Answer 2

Stone lagares

Question 3

Which invading forces helped Spain up its wine making technique?

Answer 3

The Carthaginians and then the Romans

Question 4

Where does Spain have historical trade ties?

Answer 4

New founded colonies in the Americas

Question 5

Historically, what are the most popular Spanish wine exports?

Answer 5

Fortified wines: Sherries from Jerez, Fondillon (fortified Monastrell from Alicante) and the raised wines of Malaga

Question 6

Who is Manuel Quintano y Quintano and what did he do to impact Spanish wine?

Answer 6

A canon in holy orders whose family produced wine, who travelled to Bordeaux in the late 18th century and brought back expertise in winemaking/cooperage and some oak barriques

Question 7

What Spanish rule in the 18th century stunted improvements in quality in Rioja?

Answer 7

There was no price difference between the various wines made in Rioja.

Question 8

During the Spanish civil wars of the mid 19th century, where did Luciano de Murrieta, the Marques de Murrieta and the Marques de Riscal seek exile?

Answer 8

Bordeaux! They returned with all the viticultural skill and barriques

Question 9

What caused the sudden popularity of Rioja at the end of the 19th century?

Answer 9

Phylloxera in France

Question 10

When did phylloxera hit Spain?

Answer 10

early 20th century

Question 11

What caused a drop in demand in Spanish wine exports at the beginning of the 20th century?

Answer 11

French vineyards were recovering from phylloxera and Spain had lost its overseas colonies

Question 12

What was formed in 1907 to guarantee the authenticity of Rioja wine in export markets?

Answer 12

the Rioja Wine Exporters’ Syndicate

Question 13

When was the Consejo Regulador formed?

Answer 13

1926

Question 14

What factors stopped much development in Spanish wine quality during the 20th century?

Answer 14

The civil way (1936-1939) left the country under a dictatorship for nearly 40 years and decimated the economy. Second World War also.

Question 15

What style of wine was generally made in Spain during the 20th Century?

Answer 15

Co-ops producing high volumes of inexpensive wines

Question 16

Where did Miguel Torres study and where is his family wine business based?

Answer 16

Studied in France. Worked in Penedes, Catalunya

Question 17

What winemaking innovations did Miguel Torres bring to Spain and when?

Answer 17

1960s- French/German varietals, trellising, temp controlled stainless steel, wine laboratory.

Question 18

When did Spain return to a constitutional monarchy and what impact did that have?

Answer 18

mid 1970s. Greater economic freedom

Question 19

When did Spain join the EU and what impact did that have?

Answer 19

1986- investment in wine production. (temp control, steel tanks)

Question 20

What caused Spanish wine production to rise and move into new territories in 1996?

Answer 20

Legalisation of irrigation

Question 21

What latitude is Spain?

Answer 21

36-43

Question 22

What is the name of the large raised plateau in Spain?

Answer 22

the meseta

Question 23

What large bodies of water are east and west of Spain\?

Answer 23

East- the Mediterranean Sea. West- The Atlantic Ocean

Question 24

How many ha of vines does Spain have under production?

Answer 24

969,000 ha

Question 25

Spain is the worlds _____ largest producer of wine by volume

Answer 25

third

Question 26

Spain has the largest amount of land under wine in the world. Why?

Answer 26

lots of low density bush vines (take up more space)

Question 27

How does Spain combat the low annual rainfall?

Answer 27

Low density planting to reduce competition between vines for water

Question 28

Who controls Spanish irrigation?

Answer 28

the consejo Regulador

Question 29

although irrigation is legal in Spain, it is controlled, differently in each region. Give some examples of why you might be allowed to irrigate.

Answer 29

establishing young vines, extreme drought, sort of the growing season

Question 30

What is different about fruit production from old vines?

Answer 30

Low yields, good fruit quality.

Question 31

Where in Spain are there ungrafted vines and why?

Answer 31

Toro and Rueda- sandy soils (no phylloxera)

Question 32

What is a common pest in Spain and how is it generally managed?

Answer 32

European grapevine moth, controlled with pheromone traps

Question 33

What is the general size of vineyard holdings in Spain?

Answer 33

Very small! 66% less that 0.5 ha, 22% between 0.5-3 ha

Question 34

What is the most planted grape variety in Spain?

Answer 34

Arien

Question 35

How are ageing requirements controlled in Spain?

Answer 35

National legislation has set minimums, then each DO will could have even higher individual legislation

Question 36

Spanish national legislation specifies that oak vessels must be a max capacity of how many litres?

Answer 36

330L

Question 37

What are the Spanish 4 ageing categories?

Answer 37

Generic, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva

Question 38

In Spain, in order to be labelled as a Crianza wine what are the ageing stipulations?

Answer 38

RED: 24 months total ageing, 6 in barrel | WHITE/ROSE: 18 months total ageing, 6 in barrel

Question 39

In Spain, in order to be labelled as a Reserva wine what are the ageing stipulations?

Answer 39

RED: 36 months total ageing, 12 in barrel | WHITE/ROSE: 24 months total ageing, 6 in barrel

Question 40

In Spain, in order to be labelled as a Gran Reserva wine what are the ageing stipulations?

Answer 40

RED: 60 months total ageing, 18 in barrel | WHITE/ROSE: 48 months total ageing, 6 in barrel

Question 41

What are the problems with the Spanish ageing catagories?

Answer 41

Assumes older wine/barrel ageing is 'better quality' which isn't true of all styles. No quality stipulations, no specific oak specified. Overall little indication of style/quality/value for the consumer.

Question 42

What is the Spanish for oak?

Answer 42

Roble

Question 43

What would you expect from a Spanish Joven wine?

Answer 43

Young, unoaked or minimal oak

Question 44

Which regions in Spain would you most likely find French Oak being used?

Answer 44

Ribero del Duero, Pénedes and Priorat

Question 45

What do they call rose in Spain?

Answer 45

Rosado

Question 46

What would you generally expect from a Spanish rose?

Answer 46

Deeper in colour (although the pale Provence style is growing in popularity), fruity.

Question 47

What does DO stand for?

Answer 47

Denominación de Origen

Question 48

How many DOs are there in Spain?

Answer 48

70

Question 49

What are DOCa and DOQ and where would you find them in use?

Answer 49

Denominación de Origen Calificada & Denominación d'Origen Qualificada (CATALAN). Only found in Rioja and Priorat

Question 50

What must you do to qualify for a DOCa/DOQ?

Answer 50

the DO must have been established for 10 year. All wines must be bottled on the producers own property. Various quality regulations including an external panel tasting assessment.

Question 51

In Spanish wine terms, what is VP?

Answer 51

Vino de Pago- a category that applies to a small number of single estates with high reputations.

Question 52

Where would you find a Vino de Pago?

Answer 52

Castilla-La Mancha, Navarra, Valencia and Aragon

Question 53

As a winemaker what must you do to be classified as a Vino de Pago?

Answer 53

Only use your own grapes, vilified and matured on your estate

Question 54

In Spanish wine terms, what is VT?

Answer 54

Vino de la Tuerra (PGI wines)

Question 55

In Spain what term would you use for a wine without a GI?

Answer 55

Vino

Question 56

Name some big Spanish wine businesses

Answer 56

J. Garcia Carrionm Felix. Solis Avantis, Pernod Ricard Groupe, Miguel Torres SA, Bodegas Martin codas SA

Question 57

Overall how would you compare Spanish exports to other places?

Answer 57

Highest volume exporter, at the lowest price point

Question 58

Which 2 countries import the most Spanish wine?

Answer 58

France (24%) Germany (17%)

Question 59

What is the name of Spain's nationwide promotional body?

Answer 59

Food and Wines from Spain (catchy........)