Introduction to Spain Flashcards
When did the Phoenicians found the city of Cadiz in Spain?
1100 BCE
What evidence is there of early winemaking in Spain?
Stone lagares
Which invading forces helped Spain up its wine making technique?
The Carthaginians and then the Romans
Where does Spain have historical trade ties?
New founded colonies in the Americas
Historically, what are the most popular Spanish wine exports?
Fortified wines: Sherries from Jerez, Fondillon (fortified Monastrell from Alicante) and the raised wines of Malaga
Who is Manuel Quintano y Quintano and what did he do to impact Spanish wine?
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
What Spanish rule in the 18th century stunted improvements in quality in Rioja?
There was no price difference between the various wines made in Rioja.
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?
Bordeaux! They returned with all the viticultural skill and barriques
What caused the sudden popularity of Rioja at the end of the 19th century?
Phylloxera in France
When did phylloxera hit Spain?
early 20th century
What caused a drop in demand in Spanish wine exports at the beginning of the 20th century?
French vineyards were recovering from phylloxera and Spain had lost its overseas colonies
What was formed in 1907 to guarantee the authenticity of Rioja wine in export markets?
the Rioja Wine Exporters’ Syndicate
When was the Consejo Regulador formed?
1926
What factors stopped much development in Spanish wine quality during the 20th century?
The civil way (1936-1939) left the country under a dictatorship for nearly 40 years and decimated the economy. Second World War also.
What style of wine was generally made in Spain during the 20th Century?
Co-ops producing high volumes of inexpensive wines
Where did Miguel Torres study and where is his family wine business based?
Studied in France. Worked in Penedes, Catalunya
What winemaking innovations did Miguel Torres bring to Spain and when?
1960s- French/German varietals, trellising, temp controlled stainless steel, wine laboratory.
When did Spain return to a constitutional monarchy and what impact did that have?
mid 1970s. Greater economic freedom
When did Spain join the EU and what impact did that have?
1986- investment in wine production. (temp control, steel tanks)
What caused Spanish wine production to rise and move into new territories in 1996?
Legalisation of irrigation
What latitude is Spain?
36-43
What is the name of the large raised plateau in Spain?
the meseta
What large bodies of water are east and west of Spain\?
East- the Mediterranean Sea. West- The Atlantic Ocean
How many ha of vines does Spain have under production?
969,000 ha
Spain is the worlds _____ largest producer of wine by volume
third
Spain has the largest amount of land under wine in the world. Why?
lots of low density bush vines (take up more space)
How does Spain combat the low annual rainfall?
Low density planting to reduce competition between vines for water
Who controls Spanish irrigation?
the consejo Regulador
although irrigation is legal in Spain, it is controlled, differently in each region. Give some examples of why you might be allowed to irrigate.
establishing young vines, extreme drought, sort of the growing season
What is different about fruit production from old vines?
Low yields, good fruit quality.
Where in Spain are there ungrafted vines and why?
Toro and Rueda- sandy soils (no phylloxera)
What is a common pest in Spain and how is it generally managed?
European grapevine moth, controlled with pheromone traps
What is the general size of vineyard holdings in Spain?
Very small! 66% less that 0.5 ha, 22% between 0.5-3 ha
What is the most planted grape variety in Spain?
Arien
How are ageing requirements controlled in Spain?
National legislation has set minimums, then each DO will could have even higher individual legislation
Spanish national legislation specifies that oak vessels must be a max capacity of how many litres?
330L
What are the Spanish 4 ageing categories?
Generic, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva
In Spain, in order to be labelled as a Crianza wine what are the ageing stipulations?
RED: 24 months total ageing, 6 in barrel
WHITE/ROSE: 18 months total ageing, 6 in barrel
In Spain, in order to be labelled as a Reserva wine what are the ageing stipulations?
RED: 36 months total ageing, 12 in barrel
WHITE/ROSE: 24 months total ageing, 6 in barrel
In Spain, in order to be labelled as a Gran Reserva wine what are the ageing stipulations?
RED: 60 months total ageing, 18 in barrel
WHITE/ROSE: 48 months total ageing, 6 in barrel
What are the problems with the Spanish ageing catagories?
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.
What is the Spanish for oak?
Roble
What would you expect from a Spanish Joven wine?
Young, unoaked or minimal oak
Which regions in Spain would you most likely find French Oak being used?
Ribero del Duero, Pénedes and Priorat
What do they call rose in Spain?
Rosado
What would you generally expect from a Spanish rose?
Deeper in colour (although the pale Provence style is growing in popularity), fruity.
What does DO stand for?
Denominación de Origen
How many DOs are there in Spain?
70
What are DOCa and DOQ and where would you find them in use?
Denominación de Origen Calificada & Denominación d’Origen Qualificada (CATALAN). Only found in Rioja and Priorat
What must you do to qualify for a DOCa/DOQ?
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.
In Spanish wine terms, what is VP?
Vino de Pago- a category that applies to a small number of single estates with high reputations.
Where would you find a Vino de Pago?
Castilla-La Mancha, Navarra, Valencia and Aragon
As a winemaker what must you do to be classified as a Vino de Pago?
Only use your own grapes, vilified and matured on your estate
In Spanish wine terms, what is VT?
Vino de la Tuerra (PGI wines)
In Spain what term would you use for a wine without a GI?
Vino
Name some big Spanish wine businesses
J. Garcia Carrionm Felix. Solis Avantis, Pernod Ricard Groupe, Miguel Torres SA, Bodegas Martin codas SA
Overall how would you compare Spanish exports to other places?
Highest volume exporter, at the lowest price point
Which 2 countries import the most Spanish wine?
France (24%) Germany (17%)
What is the name of Spain’s nationwide promotional body?
Food and Wines from Spain (catchy……..)
