L3 - Spain Chap. 30

Question 1

What are Spain’s three climatic zones?

Answer 1

(1) North and North-west-

– The climate is moderate maritime
climate, dominated by Atlantic weather
systems.

– Rainfall with associated risks is high.

(2) East coast from Catalunya in the north to Levante further south-

– Has a warm mediterranean climate .

– Vineyards are moderated by the
influence of either the sea or altitude

– The climate becomes increasingly hot
further south.

(3) The Meseta Central (a large plateau in the center of Spain)

– Hot continental climate . In winter
temperatures fall bellow freezing and are
very high in the summer.

– Rainfall is limited.

– High altitude provides some moderating
influences

Question 2

What are the biggest grape growing challenges in Spain?

What vine training is used to grow grapes in this climate?

Answer 2

With the exception of North-west Spain, heat and drought are the biggest challenges to grape growers. This causes heavy stress on vines.

-Low incidence of fungal disease

-Grape growers use low density bush trained vines to manage the situation by maximizing the amount of water available to each vine and shading the fruit from excessive heat.

-Where affordable and practice, wire training/trellising is being introduced to allow for machine harvesting.

Question 3

What are the key styles of Spanish red wine?

Answer 3

Wine can come in a wide range.

Inexpensive reds are typically fruity, and unoaked. Semi carbonic maceration is often used.

The best wines are almost always matured in oak with at least a proportion in new oak. Traditionally American oak is used, however French oak is also common.

Question 4

What are the key Spanish red grapes?

Answer 4

-Tempranillo

-Garnacha Tinta (Grenache)

-Monastrell (Mourvedre)

Question 5

What are the key characteristics of Tempranillo?

Answer 5

Tempranillo is Spain’s key black grape.

Most commonly grown in northern and central spain.

Tempranillo’s classic characteristics are:

-Medium acidity
-Requires sufficient warmth to ripen, but can’t be in too hot a climate, or it will lack acidity
-Grows best in places where summer temperatures are moderating by cooling influences of either the mountain or the sea
-often fermented with semi-carbonic maceration
-can produce fresh strawberry scented Joven wine
Plays a key role in more concentrated age worthy oaked blends with Garnacha, Graciano, and Carinena/Mazuelo or international varieties such as Cab Sauv.

Question 6

What does Garnacha Tinta/Grenache add to Spanish wines?

Answer 6

Garnacha tinta provides higher alcohol, and a tendency to age quickly.

Very important in Priorat where low-yielding old vines enable the production of intense, complex, full bodied reds.

–Sweet and thin-skinned
–Thrives in warm, dry summer climates because its late ripening
–Drought resistant
–Red fruit flavors (strawberry, raspberry, red cherry) ranging from fresh to cooked depending on ripeness
–In hot years flavors can become jammy and baked
–low acid
–soft tannins
–Medium to full body

Question 7

What does Monastrell/Mourvedre add to Spanish wines?

Answer 7

Monastrell/Mourvedre:

-Thick skinned grape
-Drought tolerant
-needs hot, sunny conditions to ripen
-grown in southeast DOs where it can easily reach full ripeness
-Produces deep colored wines
-full body
-high levels of tannins
-high alcohol
-low to medium acidity
-flavors of ripe blackberry fruit

Question 8

What does Graciano add to Spanish wines?

Answer 8

-Graciano is cultivated mainly in Rioja where it is used as a blend in the finest wines
-Adds concentrated black fruit aromas
-Acidity
-Tannins
-Helps to age wine

Question 9

What does Carignan/Carinena (or Mazuelo) add to Spanish wines?

Answer 9

Carinena is high in acid, tannins and color.

Small proportions of it are used with Tempranillo in Rioja to add acid and tannins

Small proportions are also blended with Garnacha Tinta in Priorat.

Question 10

What does the local varietal Mencia add to Spanish blends?

Answer 10

Mencia can grow in moderate climates

It adds:
-fresh fruit flavors
-medium to high acidity
-sometimes a hint of herbaceousness

Question 11

What are the PDO wine classifications in Spain?

Answer 11

-Denominacion de Origen Protegida (DOP) which includes:

(1) Denominacion de Origen (DO) - should have a minimum quality, satisfying local specifications of the grape varieties, viticulture and location

(2) Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOCa) - DOs with at least 10 years standing may apply for this more prestigious category.

At present there are only two DOCas:
-Rioja
-Priorat

(3) Vinos de Pago

• Applies to a small number of single estate vineyards with high reputations. Must use only their own grapes and must be vinified and matured on the state

Question 12

What is the PGI Classification?

Answer 12

Vino de la Tierra –the common traditional term

Question 13

What is the aging hierachy and requirements for Spanish wines?

Answer 13

(1) Joven

-0 months minimum aging/0 months in barrel (same for reds, whites, roses)

(2) Crianza

-24 months total aging w/ 6 months in barrel (reds)
-18 months total aging w/ 6 months in barrel (whites/rose)

(3) Reserva
-36 months total aging w/ 12 months in barrel (reds)
-24 months total aging w/ 6 months in barrel (whites/rose)

(4) Gran Reserva
-60 months total aging w/ 18 months in barrel (reds)
-48 months total aging w/ 6 months in barrel (whites/rose)

Question 14

What is the typical style of Spanish white wines ?

How are white spanish grapes typically harvested?

Answer 14

Typically Spanish white styles are fresh and fruity.

Grapes tend to be harvested at night or early morning to retain acidity and fresh flavors.

The are usually fermented in stainless steel vats to retain delicate fruit aromas

Some producers buck this trend and use old oak and lees stirring to add texture and different flavor to their wines.

Question 15

What are the classic characteristics of Verdejo and how is it used in Spanish wines?

Answer 15

Historically used for sherry wine-making, highly susceptible to oxidization.

Now with protective anaerobic winemaking it can be made in the following style:

-light body
-medium to high acid
-melon and peach flavors

Can be made in a richer, fuller-bodied style
-undergone lees stirring and barrel fermentation

Question 16

What are the classic characteristics of Albarino and where is it typically grown?

Answer 16

Albarino is grown in the northwest of Spain .
-It is thick-skinned
-able to resist fungal disease
-naturally high acidity
-can produce refreshing wines with citrus and stone fruit flavors

Can be made in richer, fuller bodied styles as well.

Question 17

What is the most widely grown grape variety in Spain and why?

Where in Spain is it grown?

Answer 17

Airen is the most widely grown grape variety.

It is mostly plainted in La Mancha in Central Spain

-One of the few varieties able to withstand the extreme heat and drought conditions of the Meseta Central

Can be made into acceptable dry white wines

Much output is used in teh production of Brandy de Jerez.

Question 18

Which varietals are used in cava?

Answer 18

Prellaada, Xarel-lo, and Macabeo. All are planted in Catalunya.

Question 19

Which cava varietal is most often used for still wine production?

Answer 19

Macabeo also know as Viura (in Rioja).

-Has subtle herb and spiced aromas
-Can be made in an unoaked style, but also traditionally was oaked

Question 20

Which international varietals are most popular in Spain?

Answer 20

-Cabernet Sauvignon
-Merlot
-Sauvignon Blanc
-Chardonnay

In Penedes and Navarra in the north-east, these are the most planted grapes in the region

Question 21

What are the 6 geographical regions which make up the principal DO regions of Spain?

What regions are designated for production of Vino de la Tierra?

Answer 21

(1) Upper Ebro
(2) Catalunya
(3) Duero Valley
(4) the North West
(5) Levante
(6) Castilla La Mancha

Castilla y Leon is the most extensive region designated for Vino de la Tierra.

Question 22

What are the three sub-regions of Rioja?

What is their geography and climate?

Answer 22

(1) Rioja Alta

-West of Logrono but lies mostly south of the Ebro

(2) Rioja Alavesa

-Situated to the west of Logrono on the north bank of the Ebro in the foothills of the Cantabrian mountains
–The lightest wines with the most finesse
-much smaller than Alta

Both Alta and Alavesa are planted at a range of altitudes from 500 to 800 meters adn their climates are moderated by the Atlantic Ocean but the Cantabrian mountiains shield from harsh Atlantic weather

(3) Rioja Oriental

Situated to the east of Logrono, mainly on the south bank

-the climate is less maritime hotter
-hotter summers
-more severe winters
-annual rainfall is low which can cause drought

Question 23

What grapes dominate plantings in Rioja?

What do these grapes add to the blends?

Answer 23

Tempranillo is the most widely planted grape and does best in the cooler regions of Rioja Alta and Alavesa.

Tempranillo gives medium tannins and red fruit flavors

Garnacha is also widely planted but grows best in Rioja Oriental . Garnacha adds body and alcohol to the blend.

Mazuelo Graciano are less widely grown but add to blends

Question 24

What styles can Rioja wine be made in and what winemaking techniques are used to make them?

Answer 24

A range of styles depending on what the winemaker wishes to achieve.

-Young/early drinking wines - may undergo semi-carbonic maceration to produce vibrant red fruit flavors and low levels of smooth tannins

-Wines for long term maturation - usually destemmed and crushed to undergo traditional fermentation

-Heavier styles deep in color and fruit flavor- may undergo vigorous cap management techniques, and extended maceration

-Other winemakers prefer more subtle styles and do not use cap management techniques and extended maceration

-Oak - traditionally winemakers used American oak to provide notes of vanilla.

Now many producers prefer French oak for more subtle spicy aromas

Question 25

How many varieties are approved for white rioja?

What is the most widely planted?

What styles are made?

Answer 25

There are 9 varieties approved for white rioja

The most widely planted grape is Viura

Traditionally a white rioja was aged for extended periods in oak, deep gold in color with nutty flavors as they were deliberately oxidized

Modern white riojas are made with minimal oxygen to preserve fruit flavors. There are also barrel fermented whites made in less oxidative styles than the traditional method.

Question 26

Where is the region of Navarra DO?

What is the climate?

What type of wine is made?

Which grapes are picked earlier and why?

Answer 26

The region of Navarra DO stretches from the northern and eastern regions of Rioja to the Pyrenees mountains

The climate is similar to Rioja but becomes cooler and wetter towards the mountains

Styles similar to Rioja blends are made here. Tempranillo is the most widely planted but is increasingly blended iwth international varieties (Cab Sauv and Merlot)

Styles can be fruity and young (joven) to top quality Grand Reserva

Garnacha is picked earlier to make roses, in order to reserve high acidity and freshness (med alcohol)

White wine is a small production (viura, chardonnay, sauv blanc)

Question 27

Where is the region of Carinena DO and Catalayud DO?

What is the climate?

What type of wine is made?

Answer 27

Carinena DO and Catalayud DO are neighboring DOs located to the south of the Ebro river.

-Both regions have a warm continental climate and low rainfall

Garnacha is the main varietal in both regions

Inexpensive fruity wines are made

HIgher quality wines are made from old vine Garnacha and Carinena displaying flavor intensity and structure.

Despite the name Carinena is not the most widely planted

Question 28

Where is the Catalunya region?

Answer 28

Catalunya is in the North-east corner of Spain , most vineyards are south of Barcelona, the coastal plains the hills to the west.

Catalunya has a generic DO for still wines nd came into existence to enable blending of wines from various areas to provide an opportunity for larg volumes of wine.

Also the region where most cava is blended

Question 29

Where is the region of Penedes DO?

What are the three distinct climatic zones?

What type of wine is made?

Answer 29

The vineyards of the large DO lie immediately to the southwest of Barcelona and stretches from teh Mediterranean coast up into the hills

The three zones are:

(1) The Mediterranean climate on teh coastal plain which is the hottest

(2) Inland islightly cooler than the coastal plain but still warm

(3) further up into the hills– 800 meters above sea level s a moderate climate, A wide range of grapes grown here and mostly for Cava. Also international varieties (Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc, gewurtztramminer, merlot, cab sauv, and tempranillo, adn pinot noir.

Question 30

Where is the region of Priorat DO?

What is the region’s climate?

What are the best soils in this region?

Answer 30

Priorat is located in Catalunya, and inland from the city of Tarragona.

Here the climate is hot and dry, as summers are long and rainfall is low.

Old Garnacha and Carinena vines do well here, because they are late ripening varieties

The best soils are known as “licorella” and consist of red slate with small particles of mica which sparkles in the sun.

They help with ripening by reflecting and conserving heat, and because of their depth are able to retain sufficient water throughout the growing season

Cool night time temperatures provide relief during the day

Question 31

What factors contribute to Priorat’s cost and in what way?

Answer 31

In Priorat vines are bush trained which means they must be picked by hand and cannot be mechanized. The old vines and the soil also means the grapes have low yields which increases complexity and intensity of flavors but also means Priorat is never cheap, and usually more expensive.

Question 32

What are the typical characteristics of red Priorat?

Answer 32

Red Priorat:
-deep color
-high tannins
-med to high alc
-concentrated black fruit
-toasty aromas of new French oak
-Garnacha and Carinena usually in the blend as well as Cab Sauv

Question 33

What is the geographic location and climate of the Ribera del Duero?

What is the primary grape and what is the style?

What techniques do winemakers usually use?

Answer 33

Blocked from a maritime climate by a ring of mountains and set atop the Meseta Central with some vineyards sitting at over 850 meters.

-Short, hot, dry summers and very cold winters. The high altitude ensure cool night time temperatures throughout the year to retain acidity and fresh fruit flavors.

Tempranillo is the primary grape (Merlot, Malbec and Cab Sauv can also be grown but are rarely used)

Many winemakers choose to accentuate the concentrated fruit flavors and tannins by undertaking long macerations and aging wines for a relatively short period of time in new oak barrels (increasingly french as opposed to american)

Question 34

What is the climate of Toro DO and what styles are typically made?

Answer 34

Toro has a climate similar to Ribera del Duero, short, hot, dry summers and very cold winters.

Toro DO is predominantly made from Tempranillo

Reds:
-full bodied
-high alcohol
-intense fruit flavors

In Joven wines there can be garnacha

Reservas and Grand reservas can be exceptionally deep colored and tanninc when young but can age well

Question 35

What is the climate of Rueda?

What wines do they traditionally make?

Answer 35

Rueda is a cool continental climate which has cool summer nights.

Verdejo grows well here, and is the main varietal. Sauv Blanc can also grow and is important to the region

Single varietals of either Verdejo or Sauv Blanc can be made. If a blend it must contain at least 50 percent Verdejo

Styles range from simple and fruity to richer, barrel fermented versions.

Question 36

Where is Rias Baixas located and what climate does it have?

What are the risks?

What is the primary grape?

What styles and characteristics do these wines have?

Answer 36

Rias Baixas is located in the northwest of Spain and is cooler and wetter than the rest of Spain.

Rias Baixas has a moderate and damp climate.

Home to some of the best whites.

Mildew and rot are a common problem and vines are trained on pergolas to encourage air circulation. Some producers use traiing and trellises

Albarino is the primary grape made in a refreshing unoaked style, taking advantage of the naturally high acidity, and ripe stone fruit flavors.

Some wines made in a richer style, with a touch of oak or lees stirring

(red is permitted but minority)

Question 37

Where is Bierzo located and what climate does it have?

What is the primary grape?

What styles and characteristics do these wines have?

Answer 37

Bierzo is located in the mountains that mark the boundary between Galicia and Meseta Central.

Climate is moderate and benefits from cooling maritime influences

Mencia is the key grape variety

Produces elegant red wines with:
-High acidity
-Red fruit aromas

Best wines comes from old vines grown on steep stony slopes

Some producers make unoaked wines to retain perfumed red fruit of the grape variety. Many use new oak to add toasty aromas.

Question 38

What type of wines come from Valencia?

What are the primary grapes?

Answer 38

Valencia is known for “value for money” wines

Monastrell is the most planted grape varietal , but many international varietals

White plantings are dominated by Merseguera

Significant plantings of Muscat to produce Moscatel de Valencia (a sweet fortified wine)

Question 39

What is the climate of Jumilla and Yecla?

What is the primary grape?

What is the style?

Answer 39

Climate: hot and arid

Primary grape: Monastrell, local variety

Style: youthful and fruity

Question 40

What is the largest DO in Spain?

Where is it located?

What types of wines are produced?

Answer 40

La Mancha is located to the south of Madrid, vast ventral area

-La Mancha is the largest DO in Spain

-Most widely planted grape is Airen which produces neutral whites

-An excellent source for inexpensive reds as local authorities have encouraged planting tempranillo

Good quality inexpensive reds can be found here

Question 41

Where is Valdepena located and what is grown?

Answer 41

Valdepena is located south of La Mancha with an identical climate

Airen is the most widely planted white

Tempranillo (Cencibel) for red

Produces wines that are fruity to more concentrated styles.