Spain Flashcards
What are some distinguishing characteristics of the 3 zones in Rioja?
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.
What grape varieties are grown in Navarra DO?
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
What four classifications are available in Priorat DOQ based on where the grapes are grown?
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.
What are the main grape varieties in Rioja?
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
What is the PDO & PGI system for Spanish wines?
PDO Categories:
- DO & DOCa/DOQ
- VP (Vino de Pago): single estates w/high reputations
PGI Categories:
- VT (Vino de la Tierra)
- Vino (no GI)
What is Fondillón?
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.
Which of the Canary Islands is covered in a layer of dark volcanic ash?
What is the dominant grape variety here?
The island of Lanzarote; Malvasia is the dominant grape variety and is made in both dry and sweet styles.
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?
- 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
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?
Toro & Rueda; sandy soils.
What are the distinguishing characteristics of the main grape in Toro DO?
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
What winery sparked the rapid expansion of vineyard area in Ribera del Duero DO after receiving critical acclaim for their wines in the 1980s?
Alejandro Fernandez’s Pesquera
What is the main grape variety grown in Ribera del Duero DO?
Tinto Fino Tinta de País (aka Tempranillo)
What are the three major climates & climactic influences found in Spain?
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
What are the most planted grape varieties in Spain?
1) Airén
2) Tempranillo
3) Garnacha
4) Bobal
5) Macabeo (Viura)
(7) Monastrell (Mouvedre)
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?
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
