Spain

Question 1

Describe the climate of Spain.

Answer 1

Spain has three distinct climates–warm maritime in the Northwest, or “Green Spain”; warm Mediterranean in the Northeast; and hot continental throughout the rest of the peninsula. Extreme danger of drought.

Question 2

How are vines mostly trained in Spain?

Answer 2

Low yield bush training to maximize water supply and protect the grapes from sun.

Question 3

What is the classification system in Spain?

Answer 3

PGI - Vino de la Tierra
PDO - Denominacion de Origen and Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOCa/DOQ)

Vinos de Pago - a single estate classification for estates with high reputations, often located in lesser known DOs.

Question 4

What are the key grapes of Spain?

Answer 4

Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Monastrell, Carinena/Mazuelo, Mencia

Verdejo, Albarino, Airen, Viura

Question 5

What are the aging terms and requirements in Spain?

Answer 5

Joven - 0/0/0/0
Crianza - 24/6/18/6
Reserva - 36/12/24/6
Gran Reserva - 60/18/48/6

Question 6

What are the six main regions of Spain?

Answer 6

Upper Ebro (Rioja, Navarro, Carinena, Calatayud), Duero Valley (Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Toro), Northwest (Rias Baixas, Bierzo), Catalunya (Priorat, Penedes), Valencia (Jumilla, Yecla), Castilla-La Mancha (La Mancha, Valdepenas)

Question 7

Wines in Spain are typically aged in what?

Answer 7

New American oak.

Question 8

What are the only DOCas in Spain?

Answer 8

Rioja and Priorat (DOQ)

Question 9

What are three subregions of Rioja?

Answer 9

Alavesa - lightest wines, most finesse
Alta - south of Ebro, range of altitudes
Baja - more southern, continental

Question 10

What is the traditional style of wine made in Rioja?

Answer 10

Red - Tempranillo, often blended with Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuela for body or structure, aged in American oak, often longer than required, pronounced notes of vanilla

White - Viura, aged in American oak, deliberately oxidized, withdeep golden color and nutty aromas

Question 11

What wines is Navarro known for?

Answer 11

Tempranillo similar to Rioja, blended with indigenous or international varieties; roses made from early harvest Garnacha.

Question 12

What grape is most closely associated with Carinena and Calatayud?

Answer 12

Garnacha, also Carinena.

Question 13

What style of wine is Penedes know for?

Answer 13

Cava production; however three distinct climactic zones allow for a range of white and red international varieties as well.

Question 14

What is the soil associated with Priorat?

Answer 14

llicorella (layers of red slate with mica)

Question 15

What wine is associated with Priorat?

Answer 15

Old vine, hand harvested Garnacha, usually aged in French oak.

Question 16

Describe the climate and winemaking in Ribera del Duero.

Answer 16

cut off from maritime influence by ring of mountains, high altitudes

Tempranillo made by long maceration, shorter aging in French rather than American oak to accentuate the fruit.

Question 17

Describe the Tempranillo made in Toro.

Answer 17

Full-bodied, intense fruit, high alcohol.

Question 18

What is the focus of Rueda?

Answer 18

White wine, particularly Verdejo, but also Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 19

How is Albarino made in Rias Baixas?

Answer 19

Pergolas trained to encourage air circulation and discourage rot; wines are usually refreshing, unoaked, but occasionally a touch of oak and lees stirring is used to add complexity.

Question 20

What grape is associated with Bierzo?

Answer 20

Old vine Mencia – elegant wines with high acid and fresh red fruit.

Question 21

What are the wines of the Levante?

Answer 21

Valencia – value wines, Monastrell and Merseguera, also Moscatel de Valencia

Jumilla and Yecla - Monastrell

Question 22

Describe wine production in La Mancha.

Answer 22

Bulk production, Airen most planted; but most of the top quality Pagos are located here.

Question 23

Describe Valdepenas.

Answer 23

Identical climate to La Mancha but smaller area with higher reputation. Airen and Cencibel most planted.