Spain

Question 1

What are some distinguishing characteristics of the 3 zones in Rioja?

Answer 1

1) Rioja Alta - largest zone; continental with maritime influence; relatively low altitude. NW corner is cooler & wetter w/calcareous (calcium carbonate) clay soil. Southern part of zone is higher altitude (700m) & relatively cool w/some ferrous (metallic) clay soil
2) Rio Alavesa - smallest zone, corresponds to vineyards in Basque country. Relatively cool & soils are calcareous clay. 700m vineyards.
3) Rioja Oriental - northern part of zone is is low altitude, warmest/driest part of Rioja. South of zone is higher altitude (500-1000m alt) with cooler temps. Soils are mixture of calcareous clay & ferrous clay.
* Note: climates are generalized; topography & soils can be so varied that a remapping *renaming of zones has been proposed.

Question 2

What grape varieties are grown in Navarra DO?

Answer 2

Tempranillo (most planted),
Garnacha (formerly most planted)

International:
Chardonnay (Principle white grape)
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot

Others: 
Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains) 
Sauvignon Blanc 
Viura (Macabeo) 
Malvasia

Question 3

What four classifications are available in Priorat DOQ based on where the grapes are grown?

Answer 3

1) Vi de Vila - grapes from 1 of 12 subzones
2) Vi de Paratge - grapes from a single “paratge” (named site) - equivalent to a lieu dit in France.
3) Vina Classificada - wine from a single vineyard of merit within a Parajte - equivalent to a cru.
4) Gran Vinya Classificada - wine from a single vineyard of exceptional merit within a Parajte - equivalent to a grand cru.

Question 4

What are the main grape varieties in Rioja?

Answer 4

Black varieties (90% of plantings):

*Tempranillo 
Garnacha 
Graciano 
Mazuelo (aka Cariñena / Carignan) 
Maturana Tinta (aka Trousseau) 
Cabernet Sauvignon 

White varieties: 
*Viura (aka Macabeo) 
Tempranillo Blanco
Malvasia (blending) 
Garnacha Blanca
Verdejo 
Sauvignon Blanc

Question 5

What is the PDO & PGI system for Spanish wines?

Answer 5

PDO Categories:

• DO & DOCa/DOQ
• VP (Vino de Pago): single estates w/high reputations

PGI Categories:

• VT (Vino de la Tierra)
• Vino (no GI)

Question 6

What is Fondillón?

Answer 6

A historic style of medium-sweet red wine made from late-harvest Monastrell by a few producers in the Alicante DO of Valencia and protected by the DO.

Question 7

Which of the Canary Islands is covered in a layer of dark volcanic ash?

What is the dominant grape variety here?

Answer 7

The island of Lanzarote; Malvasia is the dominant grape variety and is made in both dry and sweet styles.

Question 8

What are some factors that contribute to Spain’s relatively low production volumes (#3 behind Italy and France), despite the fact that it has the largest vineyard plantings of any country in the world?

Answer 8

• low density planting in many regions due to climate: reduces competition between vines for soil water in areas with low rainfall & irrigation is strictly controlled by the local Consejo Regulador
• significant plantings of old bush vines with very low yields; there is limited desire to replant @ higher density as these vines are recognized for providing very good quality fruit

Question 9

What are two examples of regions with significant plantings of very old, ungrafted vines that were unaffected by Phylloxera in the early 20th century? What kind of soil dominates these regions?

Answer 9

Toro & Rueda; sandy soils.

Question 10

What are the distinguishing characteristics of the main grape in Toro DO?

Answer 10

Tinta de Toro (either a form of Tempranillo or a separate variety native to Toro):
- thicker skins than Tempranillo grown elsewhere in Spain; produces wines / greater color & higher tannin

Question 11

What winery sparked the rapid expansion of vineyard area in Ribera del Duero DO after receiving critical acclaim for their wines in the 1980s?

Answer 11

Alejandro Fernandez’s Pesquera

Question 12

What is the main grape variety grown in Ribera del Duero DO?

Answer 12

Tinto Fino Tinta de País (aka Tempranillo)

Question 13

What are the three major climates & climactic influences found in Spain?

Answer 13

1) North West: Maritime w/Atlantic influence
2) South & East: Mediterranean
3) Meseta (large, raised plateau covering central regions): continental

influences:
- extensive coastline
- mountain ranges: Pyranees (north-east) & Andalucia *south-west)
- meseta: 600-900m altitude in interior of country

Question 14

What are the most planted grape varieties in Spain?

Answer 14

1) Airén
2) Tempranillo
3) Garnacha
4) Bobal
5) Macabeo (Viura)
(7) Monastrell (Mouvedre)

Question 15

How long does national legislation (DO) require wines to be spent ageing in oak barrels in order for red wines to be labelled Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva?

Answer 15

Crianza: 24 mos total ageing time / min 6 mos in barrel
Reserva: 36 mos total / 12 in barrel
Gran Reserva : 60 mos total / 18 in barrel

Question 16

What do the terms “roble” and “joven” mean?

Answer 16

roble: spanish for “oak.” Increasingly used for red wines that have been matured in oak for an unspecified duration (usually less than Crianza)
joven: denotes wines that are released young w/ minimal or no oak aging

Question 17

What are some regions where the use of French oak is particularly prevalent?

Answer 17

Penedès, Priorat, Ribera del Duero

Question 18

What are Spain’s biggest export markets?

Answer 18

By volume: 
France - 24%
Germany - 17%
UK*
USA* 
China*

*Important markets for higher priced wines (value to volume ration); US especially

Question 19

What is the Rías Baixas DO in Galicia best known for?

Answer 19

Albariño: over 95% of production. Usually made as a single varietal white or blended (Loureira, Treixadura, Caiño Blanco, or Sousón aka Vinhão in Vinho Verde). In general, white wines have high acid, med or med(-) body, med alc, and medium aromas of peach, melon, and lemon.

Question 20

Where is the parral (pergola) trellising system popular, and what are the benefits?

Answer 20

The parral is a popular trellising system in Ríax Baixas, often using stone supports in the humid atmosphere. This system originally allowed the growth of other agricultural crops underneath, and offers the additional benefit of promoting air circulation under the canopy, reducing the likelihood of fungal disease.

Question 21

What is unique about the terrain in Ribeira Sacra DO? How does this impact viticulture?

Answer 21

Many of the vineyards are situated on very precipitous and deep valley sides at various altitudes and aspects. The region is mainly continental, but can have maritime influence spending on the exposure of the site.

These stony slopes provide good drainage and heat during the day, but make prevent mechanization of the vineyard, making viticulture extremely labor intensive.

Question 22

Besides Albariño in Ríaz Baixas, what black and white grape are arguably the most important Galician varietals?

Answer 22

Godello and Mencia (Ribeira Sacra DO, Valdeorras DO, Monterrai DO).