Rest of Spain Flashcards
Four principle wine regions in Aragon
Carinena
Campo de Borja
Calatayud
Somontano
Climate in Carinena DO, Campo de Borja DO and Calatayud DO
Warm continental
Dry summers
Altitude in Calatyud, Carinena, Campo de Borja DOs
Calatayud: 900m
Carinena: 400-800m
Campo de Borja: 350-700m
What is Cierzo?
Cold wind in Aragon that blows from the north
Moderates temperatures, slows ripening
Carinena DO, Campo de Borja DO and Calatayud DO make mostly what kind of wine?
Mainly red wines
Old Garnacha vines
Pests and diseases rarely a problem in Carinena, Campo de Borja and Calatayud. Why?
Lack of rain
Rocky, fee draining soils
Dry, windy conditions
(spring frost an issue though)
Carinena, Campo de Borja and Calatayud DOs: evryday wine style
Red wines, mostly inexpensive Medium to full body High alcohol Medium tannin Ripe red and black fruit
High-end old-vine Garnacha from Carinena, Campo de Borja and Calataud DOs: style
Concentrated rasberry and plum Subtle spicy oak Medium (+) acid Medium (+) tannin High alcohol
Climate in Somontano DO
Warm continental
Foot of the Pyrenees = cold breezes coming down moderate temperature
More rain, more evenly spread than Carinena, Campo de Borja and Calatayud
Most widely planted grapes in Somontano DO
Cabernet SAuvignon
Chardonnay
Unusually for Spain, Somontano DO has significant plantings of what grape?
Gewurtztraminer
What is Vinas del Vero?
Largest producer in Somontano DO
High-tech winery originally created by local bank
Nwo owned by Gonzalez Byass
Two Sherry producers with investment in Somontano DO?
Gonzalez Byass
Barbadillo
What is Vi de Finca?
Catalunya system for “exceptional wines”, labelling term
How amny DOs in Catalunya?
11 DOs and 1 DOQ
What is Catalunya DO used for?
Grapes grown anywhere in Catalunya = large producers, inexpensive and mid-priced blends
Torres Vina Sol
Benefits of using Catalunya DO
Volume can be sourced from around Catalunya
International grapes allowed
“Catalunya” name better known than eg “Penedes” internationally
Climate in Penedes DO
Warm Mediterranean
but three zones with different topographic and climate influences (Penedes Maritim, Penedes Central, Penedes Superior)
White grapes what % of Penedes DO planting?
80%
Most planted grapes (3) in Penedes DO
Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada
use for Cava, other sparkling and still whites
Most planted black grape in Penedes DO
Merlot
What is Penedes Maritim? Where is it and what style of wine?
One of three zones in Penedes
Between sea and coastal range of hills
Low altitude, proximity to sea = warm climate without extremes
Full bodied reds
Where is Penedes Central located?
Flat plains ("Pre-Coastal Depression") between coastal range and inland mountains
Higher altitude than Penedes MaritimWhat is Penedes Superior?
One of three zones in Peneds
Furthest inland
500-800m
Cool conditions, white grapes
Penedes was one of the first Spanish regions to modernise its winemaking. Why/thanks to who? So what?
Miguel Torres studied at Dijon
Region became a source of clean, fruity wines
Priorat winemaking dates back to who/when?
Carthusian monks
12th century
What makes viticulture in Priorat difficult?
Lack of easy access
Challenging topography
Extremes of weather
What caused vineyards in Priorat to be abandoned at end of 19th century?
Outbreak of phyllxoera
Growth of textile industry (loss of labour force)
Who in 1989 formed the small group of Priorat growers and makers to re-invigorate the region?
René Barbier
Name a few Priorat wines that were gaining int’l recognition in the 1990s
Clos Mogador Clos Dofi Clos de L'Obac Clos Martinet Clos Erasmus
When did Priorat become a DOQ?
2009
Climate in Priorat
Warm continental
Hot summers
Cold winters
What protects Priorat from cold winds?
Serra de Montsant
What protects Priorat from Mediterranean influence?
Serra de Llaberia
What’s the river in Priorat. What does it do?
River Siurana
Creates valleys = lots of altitudes (100-750m) and aspects
Land under vine in Priorat DOQ
2,000ha
considerably less than before phylloxera
What are costers?
Slopes in Priorat
Gradient 5-60%
Narrow terraces are common in Priorat. What do they do?
Help to reduce soil erosion
Allow rainwater infiltrate the soil (surface run-off is reduced)
What are llicorella
Slate based soils in Priorat. thin, rocky and lacking in nutrients. particles of mica reflect heat and light
There’s a bedrock of slate in Priorat. So what?
It splits into vertical layers
Vine roots can grow deep in search of limited water
Account for low yields in Priorat
Old vines
Lack of water
Lack of nutrients in soil
Low density bush vines
max permitted yield in Priorat
average yields in practice
max permitted: 39 hl/ha
in reality: 5-6 hl/ha
Most planted grape in priorat
Garnacha
Why is Carinena well suited to Priorat
Wells utied to hot days and dry conditions
Carinena good with harsh conditions, grown on warmest sites
As well as Garnacha and Carinena, what other black grapes are grown in Prioat?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Popularity waning; some producers use only Garnacha and Carinena
White Priorat: what grape(s)
Garnacha Blanca
Macabeo
Cultured yeasts are common in Priorat. Why?
High levels of potential alcohol in grapes => fermentation with ambient yeasts can be too slow, lasting many weeks
Standard length of oak ageing for Priorat?
1-2 eyars
Four classifications for Priorat
Vi de Vila
Vi de Paratge
Vinya Classificada
Gran Vinya Classificada
What is “Vi de Vila” in Priorat?
Grapes from one of Priorat’s 12 subzones
Name of suzone + “Vi de Vila” appear on label
What is “Vi de Paratge” in Priorat?
Grapes from a single paratge (named site/lieu-dit). 459 paratages in Priorat
How many paratges in Priorat?
459
What is a paratge?
A lieu-dit/named site in Priorat
What is “Vinya Classificada” in Priorat?
Wine from a single vineyard of particular merit within a Paratje, equivalent to a cru
What is “Gran Vinya Classificada” in Priorat?
Wine from a single vineyard of exceptional merit within a Paratje. Equivalent of Grand Cru
to use the term “old vines” in Priorat, what do you need?
minimum 75 years old/planted before 1945
Where is Montsant DO located?
Catalunya, forming a ring around Priorat DOQ
Waht kind of soils in Montsant DO?
Clay based ranging to sandy
Some llicorella, limestone
Overall more fertile than Priorat
=> higher yields
Vineyards of Montsant DO: harder or easier to work than Priorat?
Easier than Priorat
Topogaprhy less extreme
Trellised vineyards common = easy to mechanise
Black grapes what % of Montsant DO?
94%
Key grapes in Montsant DO?
Garnacha and Carinena
unlike Priorat: Tempranillo is 3rd
Significant producers in Mosntant DO
Espectacle
Celler de Capcanes
Montsant land under vine
1,900ha
How important are co-ops in Montsant DO?
Very, account for majority of production
Costers del Segre DO first planted by who? when?
Manuel Raventos (Codorniu) 1900s
Raimat winery is here; its success (1978 onwards) led to DO being formed (1980s)
Land under vine in Costers del Segre DO. What % is owned by Raimat (Codorniu winery)?
4,000ha
one-third owned by Raimat
Significant producers in Costers del Segre DO
Raimat (Codorniu)
Castell d’Encus
Climate in Valencia DO
Warm Mediterannean
Coolest part of Valencia DO
Alto Turia sub-zone
southern foothills of Sistema Iberico mountain range
700-110m
White wines only (Moscatel de Alejandria, Merseguera)
What is vino de licor?
Valencia DO
Unfermented grape must fortified with grape spirit
Moscatel de Alejandria
Most wines in Valencia DO made by who, and in what style?
Local co-ops
Fruity style, immediate consumption
Land under vine in Utiel-Requena DO
35,000ha (!)
Most planted grape in Utiel-Requena DO?
Bobal
70% of plantings
Account for Bobal’s sometimes firm, grippy tannins
It can ripen unevely
Lack of ripeness in some bunches gives grippy, firm tannins
Bobal was originally best known for rosé. Why?
High acid
Fruity nature
High quality Bobal in Utiel-Requena DO: Style
Concenrated Medium (+) tannins Medium (+) to full body High acid Blackberry, black cherr, chocoalte Old vine fruit Matured in oak
Alicante DO is near what city?
Alicante
What is Valencia’s smallest DO?
Alicante DO
Climate in Alicante DO
Medietrranean
Hot summers
Cold winters
Growing season very dry
What/where is Vinalopo?
Main growing zone in Alicante DO
Key grape: Monastrell
Monastrell accounts for what % of plantings in Alicante DO?
75%
Low density, bush vines
Red wines labeleld Alicante DO must be what % Monastrell
80%
Other varieties: Alicante Bouschet, Garnacha, Bobal
Alicante DO style: red wine
Full body Dry High alcohol High tannin Ripe black fruit Oak
What is Fondillon?
Historic wine style in Alicante, protected by DO Medium-sweet red wine max 40g/l sugar Late-harvest Moanstrell Min 16%abv No fortification allowed 10 years in oak Oxidised style, dried fruit and nuts
Fondillon, historic semi-sweet red in Alicante, can be made in two styles. What are they?
Anada: product of one year
solera system: old and young wines
Jumilla DO cliamte
Warm continental
Hot summers
Cold winters
Jumilla DO land under vine
25,000ha
Dominant grape in Jumilla DO
Monastrell (80% of plantings)
What happened in Jumilla DO in 1989?
It was devastated by phyllxoera
Vines grubbed up and replanted
Higher-quality clones of Monastrell became common
+ improved winemaking techniques => better quality wines
Jumilla DO style (Red wine based on Monastrell)
Full body High alcohol Ripe blackberry adn cherry Spice Medium (+) acidity
Other than Monastrell (80% of plantings), what other black grapes in Jumilla DO?
Cencibel (Tempranillo), Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet), Garnacha, Cabernet SAUVIGNON, Merlot, Syrah, petit Verdot
Does Jumilla DO just make red wines?
No
Majority is red but also some rosé (often from Monastrell) and also small amount of white
Most wine produced in Jumilla DO is what kind of volume/price
High-volume, inexpensive
Lots of co-ops
High-end producers in Jumilla DO
Bodegas El Nido
Casa Castillo
Yecla DO is located where?
Between Jumilla and Alicante
Land under vine in Yecla DO
6,000ha
Yecla DO exports what % of its production?
95%
Dominant grape variety in Yecla DO?
Monastrell
also dominant in Jumilla DO and Alicante DO
What is the largest PDO region in Europe?
La Mancha DO
158,000ha
Castilla-La Mancha is located on what part of the meseta?
Southern part of the meseta
La Mancha DO located on what geographic feature? What altitude?
Meseta
500-700m (but largely flat)
What % of vineyards in La Mancha DO are irrigated?
40%
Planting density in La Mancha DO?
Low!
Sometimes as little as 1,000 v/ha for bush vines without irrigation
3,000v/ha for irrigated, trellised vines
Most widely planted grape in La Mancha DO?
Airen (90,000ha)
How many hectares under vine does Airen have in DO La Mancha?
90,000ha!
La Mancha DO has huge plantings of Airen (90,000ha). What is it used for?
1) neutral, low intensity, medium acid white wine for early consumption
2) distilled into BRandy de Jerez
Cencibel aka
Tempranillo
Most planted black grape in La Mancha DO?
Cencibel (aka Tempranillo)
Are co-ops important in La Mancha DO?
Yes, majority of production
e.g. Virgen de las Vinas (in Tomelloso), largest co-op in Spain
Largest co-op in Spain? Located where?
Virgen de las Vinas
Tomelloso, La Mancha DO
2,000 members
20,000ha
What % of DO La Mancha is exported?
40%
Valdepenas DO best known for what kind of wine?
Red wines from Cencibel (Tempranillo)
First Vino de Pago in Spain?
Dominio de Valdepusa
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdon
Castilla-La Mancha
Castilla VT covers which two well known DOs?
La Mancha DO
Valdepenas DO
and others
What is Euskadi?
other name for Basque Country
also Pais Vasco
The vineyards of the Basque country are separated in two by what?
Cantabrian cordillera
North: near Bilbao and San Sebastian, three DOs for Txakoli
South: Rioja Alavesa
How many DOs for Txakoli?
Three
Key grape for Txakoli?
Hondarrabi Zuri
Txakoli style
High acid Medium (-) body Low alcohol Fresh apple, pear, lemon Slight spritz
What is Sierra de Gredos?
Mountain range west of Madrid
Doesn’t have its own DO. Can use Vinos de Madrid DO, Mentrido DO, Cebreros DO or Castilla y Leon VT
What is Albillo Real?
White grape (Sierra de Gredos, Spain)
Full body
Citrus and floral
Medium to medium (+) acid
Name the Balearic islands (4)
Mallorca
Menorca
Ibiza
Formentera
Mallorca has how many DOs?
2
Key grapes for Balearic islands
Manto Negro
Callet
also: Monastrell, Tempranillo, Malvasia
Climate in Canary Islands
tropical influence, hot and humid
Mountainous and altitude makes for cooler days
Largest of the Canary Islands?
Tenerife
Most common grapes on Tenerife
Listan Negro
Malvasia
Listan Blanco (Palomino)
Where is Valle de Orotava DO?
Tenerife
What is significant about Valle de Orotava DO in Tenerife?
Distinctive viticulture: vines twisted together to form long ropes
Trained on low worse and growing up and down hillsides
Topography of Lanzarote
relatively flat
dark volcanic ash
How are vines planted on Lanzarote?
Craters dug into volcanic ash
Surrounded by stone walls to protect from wind
Very low density planting, low yields
Malvasia for dry and sweet styles
