Major Grape varieties: Blanco (White) Flashcards
Which grape is Spain’s most widely planted variety?
Airen
Describe the characteristics of the Airen grape variety.
- relatively easy to grow
- resistant to drought, insects, & diseases
- high-yielding
- produces moderately acidic wine
Airen is best used for the production of what?
Brandy
Name the synonoms for Airen.
- Manchega
- Valdepenas
Which regions and DOPs is Airen planted?
Autonomous Region:
* Castilla-La Mancha
Primary DOPs:
* DO La Mancha
* DO Valdepenas
The Alarije variety is native to which autonomous region?
Extremadura
The Alarije variety is a cross between which 2 Spanish table grapes?
Gibi x Planta Nova
Alarije shares Gibi as a parent with which Spanish variety?
Pedro Ximenez
Describe the characteristics of the Alarije variety in the vineyard.
- productive
- prone to fungal diseases
- thick-skinned
- late-ripening
What are the characteristics of wine produced from Alarije?
- high acidity
- prone to oxidation
- well-suited to oak
- produces dry, sweet, & fortified wines
Name the synonym for Alarije.
- Subirat Parent
Which regions and DOPs will you find Alarije planted in?
Autonomous Regions:
* Cataluna
* Extremadura
Primary DOP:
* DO Penedes
* DO Cataluna/Catalunya
* DO Ribera del Guadiana
Val do Salnes, the oldest growing area of Rias Baixas, has claimed ownership of which variety?
Albarino
Where did Albarino originate?
It is unknown if this variety originated w/in the modern boundaries of Spain or Portugal, but it is thought to be indigenous to the northwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula.
Describe the characteristics of Albarino in the vineyard.
- thick skinned
- susceptible to mildew
What are the characteristics of wines produced from Albarino?
- mineral
- bright acidity
- floral aromatics
- flavors of peach, apricot, & grapefruit
Name the synonym for Albarino.
Alvarinho (Portugal)
Which region and DOP is Albarino planted in?
Autonomous Region:
* Galicia
Primary DOP:
* DO Rias Baixas
Describe the characteristics of Albillo Mayor in the vineyard.
- disease-resistant
- low-yielding
- thin skinned
- prone to sunburn & frost
- can be challenging in the spring
What are the characteristics of wine made from Albillo Mayor?
- aromatic
- low acid
- high alcohol
Name the synonyms for Albillo Mayor.
- Albilla
- Pardina
- Turruntes
Which region & DOP is Albillo Mayor planted in?
Autonomous Region:
* Castilla y Leon
Primary DOP:
* DO Ribera del Duero
Describe the characteristics of Albillo Real in the vineyard.
- thrives in hot, dry areas w/ sandy soils
- thin-skinned
- early budding
- susceptible to spring frost
What are the characteristics of wine made from Albillo Real?
- fairly neutral
- weighty mouthfeel
Name the synonyms for Albillo Real.
- Albillo
- Albillo de Madrid
- Albillo Criollo
Which regions and DOPs is Albillo Real planted in?
Autonomous Regions:
* Madrid
* Las Islas Canarias
Primary DOPs:
* DO Vinos de Madrid
* DO Tacoronte-Acentejo
* DO Valle de la Orotava
* DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora
What is the confusion surround grapes called “Albillo”?
There are several grapes referred to as “Albillo something,” but research to definitively identify each one is in its infancy.
While Albillo Mayor & Albillo Real are unrelated and planted primarily in Castilla y Leon, the generic “Albillo” appears as an allowed grape in multiple regions and it is unknown which variety these grapes belong to. Mayor or Real are likely candidates.
Which grape is one of the Iberian peninsula’s oldest varieties and is thought to have parented at least 16 grapes?
Cayetana Blanca
The Cayetana Blanca variety is believed to be the parent of which 2 grape varieties?
- Listan Prieto
- Castelao (Portugal)
Describe the characteristics of Cayetana Blanca in the vineyard.
- drought-resistant
- productive
- thrives in warm conditions & sandy soil
What are the characteristics of wine produced from Cayetana Blanca?
- moderate alcohol
- moderate acidity
- neutral aroma & flavor
Name the synonyms for Cayetana Blanca.
- Jaen Blanco
- Pardina
Which region and DOP is Cayetana Blanca planted in?
Autonomous Region:
* Extremadura
Primary DOP:
* DO Ribera del Guardiana
Which French variety is believed to be the Hondarribi Zuri grape?
Courbu Blanc
Name the synonym for Courbu Blanc.
Hondarribi Zuri
What are the characteristics of the Courbu Blanc variety and the wines it produces?
- small-berried
- subtle wines
- moderate acidity
- moderate alcohol
Which region and DOP is Courbu Blanc planted in?
Autonomous Region:
* Pais Vasco
Primary DOPs:
* DO Arabako Txakolina/Txakoli de Alava/Chacoli de Alava
* DO Bizkaiko Txakolina/Txakoli de Bizkaia/Chacoli de Bizkaia
* DO Getariako Txakolina/Txakoli de Getaria/Chacoli de Getaria
Which variety is native to Malaga in Andalucia and is likely the offspring of Albillo Mayor?
Doradilla
(not to be confused w/ Doradillo)
Describe the characteristics of the Doradilla grape in the vineyard.
- medium-sized clusters
- small berries
- prone to mildew
What are the characteristics of wine produced from Doradilla?
- full-bodied
- highly aromatic
- notes of pear, citrus peel, & almond
- saline character
- racy acidity
Name the synonym for Doradilla.
Forastera Blanca
Which region & DOP is Doradilla planted in?
Autonomous Region:
* Las Islas Canarias
Primary DOP:
* DO La Gomera
What is the relationship between Garnacha Blanca and the red Garnacha? How do they compare when growing in the vineyard?
This white variety is considered a color mutation of its red counterpart.
In the vineyard it:
* buds a little later
* ripens a little earlier
What are the characteristics of wine produced from Garnacha Blanca?
- high alcohol
- moderately low acidity
- prone to oxidation
Careful vinification, including low-temperature fermentation, lees aging & skin maceration, results in distinctively textured wines with intriguing floral notes.
Oak is frequently used to add texture & complexity.
Name the synonyms for Garnacha Blanca.
- Garnatxa Blanca
- Grenache Blanc (France)
Which region and DOP is Garnacha Blanca planted in?
Autonomous Region:
* Cataluna
Primary DOP:
* DO Alella
* DO Terra Alta
Which variety nearly disappeared in the 1970s but recovered due to the efforts of producers in DO Valeorras?
Godello
Where is Godello thought to be native to?
Galicia
Why is Godello often compared to Chardonnay?
This high-quality, aromatic, white variety is often compared to Chardonnay for its tendency to reflect the hand of the winemaker.
What are the characteristics of wine produced from Godello?
- grapes ripen to high sugar levels, resulting in full-bodied wine w/ ample alcohol that hold up well to barrel-aging
- balanced by good levels of acidity
- capable of aging
Name the synonyms for Godello.
- Prieto Picudo Blanco
- Verdelho (Portugal)
Which region and DOPs is Godello planted in?
Autonomous Region:
* Galicia
Primary DOPs:
* DO Monterrei
* DO Valeorras
Why is it that Hondarribi Zuri is not a single grape variety?
Current DNA research has determined that this white variety actually refers to 1 of 3 white varieties grown in Pais Vasco:
* Courbu Blanc (most widely-planted)
* Crouchen
* Noah (America-hybrid)
Name the synonyms for Hondarribi Zuri.
- Hondarrabi Zuri
- Courbu Blanc (France)
Which Region & DOPs is Hondarribi Zuri planted in?
Autonomous Region:
* Pais Vasco
Primary DOPs:
* DO Arabako Txakolina/Txakoli de Alava/Chacoli de Alava
* DO Bizkaiko Txakolina/Txakoli de Bizkaia/Chacoli de Bizkaia
* DO Getariako Txakolina/Txakoli de Getaria/Chacoli de Getaria
Which variety has been incorrectly identified as Airen?
Lairen
What region is Lairen native to?
Andalucia
Describe the characteristics of Lairen in the vineyard.
- productive
- drought-resistant
- thrives in clay soil
What are the characteristics of wines produced from Lairen?
- high alcohol
- high acidity
Name the synonyms for Lairen.
- Malvar
- Layren
Which regions & DOPs is Lairen planted in?
Autonomous Regions:
* Madrid
* Andalucia
Primary DOPs:
* DO Vinos de Madrid
* DO Malaga
