Spain Flashcards
3 climate zones of Spain…?
North and northwest coasts are moderate maritime…rainfall is high
East coast from Catalunya in the north to the Levante further south has a warm Mediterranean climate
The Meseta Central, a large plateau in the center of Spain, is mostly cut off from the influence of the sea by encircling mountains and has a hot continental climate
What are the biggest challenges to grape growing in Spain?
With the notable exception of north-west Spain (green Spain), heat and lack of water are the biggest challenges.
Why are bush trained vineyards important in Spain?
Maximizes the amount of water available to each vine and shading the vine from excessive heat.
Spain’s premier black grape?
Tempranillo
Describe the tempranillo grape?
Thick skinned, medium levels of acidity. Needs sufficient warmth to develop its flavors. Hot climates without proper diurnal shift can cause the grape to not have the necessary acidity for ideal balance. Consequently, it performs best when hot summer temps are moderated by water and/or altitude.
What region of Spain produces garnacha where old yielding vines produce intense, complex, full-bodied reds?
Priorat
Spanish thick skinned grape that is drought tolerant but needs not, sunny conditions to ripen. Grown in south-eastern DOs?
Monastrell
Spainish grape that is deeply colored, full bodied, high tannin and alcohol, low to medium acidity and ripe blackberry fruit?
Monastrell
Spanish grape that is challenging to grow, but valuable in blends. Mainly cultivated in Rioja. adds black fruit aromas, acidity, and tannins?
Graciano
Other name for Carinena in Rioja?
Mazuelo
Describe mazuelo?
High in acidity, tannin, and color
Where is Carinena grown?
In Rioja (mixed with Tempranillo), in Priorat (mixed with Garnacha)
Spanish grape offering fresh fruit, medium to high acidity, and sometimes a hint of herbaceousness?
Mencia
How do the fresh white wines of Spain keep their delicate fruit aromas?
Temperature controlled vats
Picking at night
White grape of Spain highly susceptible to oxidation?
Verdejo
White grape of Spain made in a similar style to Sauvignon Blanc. Light bodied, high acid, melon and peach flavored. Also can make sherry style wines?
Verdejo
Thick skinned white grape of Spain that is resistant to fungal disease (useful in the damp climate where it’s grown). Naturally high in acidity and can produce wines with citrus and stone fruit flavors?
Albarino
Where is the majority of Airen planted?
La Mancha
Most widely planted grape variety in Spain?
Airen
White grape used in the production of Brandy de Jerez?
Airen
Main grapes of Cava?
Paralleda, Macabeo, Xarel-lo
White wine grape of Spain often made into unoaked style with subtle herb and spice aromas?
Macabeo
Wines are labelled as this if they do not fit into a PDO or PGI category?
Vino
Four categories of PDO wines?
DO, DOP, DOCa, VP
How are PGI wines labelled in Spain
VdlT - Vino de la Tierra
What is Vinos de Pago?
category of a small group of highly regarded estates
Minimum white and red aging requirements for Joven wines?
0 months
Minimum aging requirement for white Crianza? Bottle and total age?
6 months in barrel….18 months total
Minimum aging requirement for red crianza? Bottle and total?
6 months in barrel….24 total
Aging requirements for white reserva?
6 months in barrel, 24 total
Aging requirements for red criaza?
12 months in barrel…36 total
Aging requirements for white gran reserva?
6 months in barrel…48 months total
Aging requirements for red gran reserva?
18 months in barrel…60 months total
Largest region for Vino de la Tierra wines?
Castilla y Leon
3 sub regions of Rioja? Describe the wines?
Rioja Alavesa - lightest of Rioja, have the most finesse
Rioja Baja
Rioja Alta
Climate of Rioja?
Alavesa and Alta are maritime. Baja is less Maritime with hotter summers and severe winters. Drought is an issue.
Where in Rioja does Tempranillo best grow?
Alta and Alavesa
Where in Rioja does Garnacha best grow?
Baja
Most widely planted white grape of Rioja?
Viura
Where is Navarra DO?
Borders Rioja to northeast
Main red grape of Navarro?
Tempranillo
Rose grape of Navarro?
Garnacha
River that runs through Rioja and part of Navarro?
Ebro
Climate of Carinena and Calatayud
Warm continental with low rainfall
Where is Catalunya?
NE Spain / Barcelona is in Catalunya
Where is Penedes DO?
Inside of Catalunya, NE Spain
Main climate of Penedes?
Mediterranean getting more moderate at you move inward towards the West
Where is Priorat?
NE Spain in Catalunya
Why is Priorat prime real estate for Grenache?
Summers are long, hot and dry, annual rainfall is low
Why are Priorat’s wines never cheap?
Bush vines, steep slopes - no mechanisation. Old vines, low nutrients - low yields
Red Spanish grape that produces wines with high tannins, medium to high alcohol and concentrated fruit, with toasty French oak aromas?
Priorat
What is the Duero River?
same as the Duoro in Portugal. Starts south of Rioja, flows into Portugal
Climate of Ribero del Duero?
Short, hot, and dry summers. Very cold winters. Shut off from any Maritime influence by mountains.
Ribero del Duero DO is for red and rose wines only…T or F?
True
Region of Spain producing red wines high in tannin and concentrated fruit flavors, aging their wines for a relatively short period of time in French oak?
Ribero del Duero
Main grape of Toro?
Tempranillo
Where is Toro and what is the climate?
West of Ribero del Duero, and northwest of Rueda. Sunny, hot
Rueda concentrates on red wines….T or F?
False
Main white grape of Rueda?
Verdejo
Other white grape of Rueda?
Sauvignon Blanc
Climate of Rias Biaxas?
moderate, damp - risk of mildew and rot
Where is the Levante?
South of Catalunya, east of La Mancha
Valencia, Jumilla, and Yecia are in what larger region?
Levante
Main grape of Jumilla and Yecia?
Monastrell
What is cencibel?
Tempranillo in La Mancha
Where is Valepenas?
South of La Mancha
