Regions of Spain - Red Flashcards
What are the six geographical regions the principal DO regions can be grouped into?
the Upper Ebro, Catalunya, the Duero Valley, the North West, the Levante Castilla-La-Mancha
What is the term most commonly used for regions designated for the production of PGI wines?
Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)
What is the most extensive Vino de le Tierra region and what is it near?
Castilla y Leon
Meseta Central
What are the three sub-regions of Rioja?
Rioja Oriental
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
Which Rioja region is based in the Cantabrian foothills?
Rioja Alavesa
Which river is Rioja associated with?
the Ebro
What do Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta have in common? (2)
Elevation and Atlantic moderation/influence
What shields Rioja from the worst of Atlantic weather?
Cantabrian Mountains
Which is the largest subregion in Rioja? What grape does best here?
Rioja Oriental
Garnacha
Most finessed could describe Rioja wine from which subregion?
Rioja Alavesa
Describe the climate in Rioja Oriental in comparison with the West sub-regions
Less maritime
hotter summers
more severe winters
low annual rainfall - drought
What is the most planted grape in Rioja?
What sort of fruit flavours and tannin does it bring to blends?
Tempranillo
Red fruit, medium tannins
What does Garnacha bring to Rioja blends?
Body and Alcohol
Which two grapes play a supporting role in Rioja blends?
Mazuelo and Graciano
What process may winemakers employ to make an early-drinking style Rioja with bright red fruit and low levels of smooth tannin?
Semi-carbonic maceration
What are two techniques used to make heavily-extracted Rioja? Describe the colour and fruit style of these wines
Extended maceration
Vigorous cap management
Deep colour, full fruit flavour
Are many making more elegant, subtle Rioja reds?
Yes
Oak maturation has a defining role in Rioja. What type of oak was traditionally used and what type is increasingly more common? Why are they using this type?
American, many shifting to French or other European oak
To impart more subtle spice aromas
Which region shares Riojas north-eastern border? What is the climate like here compared to Rioja?
Navarra DO
Similar climate but becomes cooler and wetter near the mountains
What is the most widely planted grape in Navarra DO? What is it blended with traditionally, and increasingly?
Tempranillo
Traditionally: Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano
Increasingly: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Are all designation styles made in Navarra DO? Up to high quality Gran Riservas?
Yes
Rose is made in Navarra in what style? What grapes are used? What level of alcohol?
Refreshing, fruity style
Garnacha
Medium alcohol
Which two Upper Ebro DOs are south of the Ebro River?
Carinena and Calatayud
What is the climate for both Carinena and Calatayud? What is low here?
Warm, continental with low rainfall
What is the main grape in both Carinena and Calatayud?
Garnacha
Inexpensive wines from Calatayud and Carinena are fruity and early-drinking. What differentiates higher-quality wines in terms of grape-growing? What quality do these wines possess?
Old Vine (Garnacha and Carinena grapes) Greater flavour intensity and structure
Which corner of Spain does Catalunya occupy?
North-East
Below which major city are most vineyards located in Catalunya? What is the landscape like here?
Barcelona
Coastal plain with hills to the west
Why does Catalunya have a generic DO, Catalunya DO?
largely to enable the blending of wines from different areas to create significant volumes of branded wine.
What are the 2 smaller DOs that exist within Catalunya?
Penedes and Priorat
Penedes stretches from the coast up into the hills. What are it’s three distinct climatic zones? How do they differ?
Coastal plain - hottest, mediterranean climate
Valleys - slighty cooler, still warm
Hills - Moderate due to altitude (up to 800m)
What kind of grapes are planted in Penedes? What is Tempranillo called here?
Cava grapes
International Varieties (Gewurtz, Chardy, Sauvy B, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir)
Tempranillo, here called Ull de Llebre