Spain Flashcards
Describe the climate of Spain.
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.
How are vines mostly trained in Spain?
Low yield bush training to maximize water supply and protect the grapes from sun.
What is the classification system in Spain?
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.
What are the key grapes of Spain?
Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Monastrell, Carinena/Mazuelo, Mencia
Verdejo, Albarino, Airen, Viura
What are the aging terms and requirements in Spain?
Joven - 0/0/0/0
Crianza - 24/6/18/6
Reserva - 36/12/24/6
Gran Reserva - 60/18/48/6
What are the six main regions of Spain?
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)
Wines in Spain are typically aged in what?
New American oak.
What are the only DOCas in Spain?
Rioja and Priorat (DOQ)
What are three subregions of Rioja?
Alavesa - lightest wines, most finesse
Alta - south of Ebro, range of altitudes
Baja - more southern, continental
What is the traditional style of wine made in Rioja?
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
What wines is Navarro known for?
Tempranillo similar to Rioja, blended with indigenous or international varieties; roses made from early harvest Garnacha.
What grape is most closely associated with Carinena and Calatayud?
Garnacha, also Carinena.
What style of wine is Penedes know for?
Cava production; however three distinct climactic zones allow for a range of white and red international varieties as well.
What is the soil associated with Priorat?
llicorella (layers of red slate with mica)
What wine is associated with Priorat?
Old vine, hand harvested Garnacha, usually aged in French oak.
Describe the climate and winemaking in Ribera del Duero.
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.
Describe the Tempranillo made in Toro.
Full-bodied, intense fruit, high alcohol.
What is the focus of Rueda?
White wine, particularly Verdejo, but also Sauvignon Blanc.
How is Albarino made in Rias Baixas?
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.
What grape is associated with Bierzo?
Old vine Mencia – elegant wines with high acid and fresh red fruit.
What are the wines of the Levante?
Valencia – value wines, Monastrell and Merseguera, also Moscatel de Valencia
Jumilla and Yecla - Monastrell
Describe wine production in La Mancha.
Bulk production, Airen most planted; but most of the top quality Pagos are located here.
Describe Valdepenas.
Identical climate to La Mancha but smaller area with higher reputation. Airen and Cencibel most planted.
