Spain Flashcards
what are the 3 climate zones of spain?
north and northwest - moderate to maritime, high rainfall
east coast - warm mediterranean climate
the meseta central - no cooling influence from sea, hot continental climate, cold winters, high altitude is moderated by aspect
how are vines planted in spain?
low density bush trained, maximizing water supply and shading fruit
wire training is being introduced to facilitate machine harvesting
describe tempranillo
thick skinned, medium acid, needs heat to develop, lacks acidity if there is no diurnal range, does best near the sea or at altitude
usually semi carbonic maceration is used, producing fresh strawberry Joven wine
describe a monastrell from Yecla or Jumilla
because of the heat here it can reach full ripeness and produce deep full body wines with high tannin and high alcohol, low to medium acidity and ripe black fruit
what is the high valued grape in rioja that is challenging to grow?
Graciano, used in blends to add concentrated black fruit, acidity, and structure to help wine age
what is the spanish name for carignan?
carinena
mazuelo in rioja
high acidity and tannin, blend with tempranillo or in priorat blend with grenache to enhance tannic structure
Describe mencia
moderate climate grape, fresh fruit, med to high acidity, herbaceous
what winemaking techniques is spain using for whites?
fermenting in stainless and harvesting at night to keep the fruit aromas
some oak is used as well as lee stirring to add texture and different flavours
describe verdejo
susceptible to oxidization, used to make sherry style wines but with protective wine making it can be high acid light body melon and peach style, skin contact may give it a richer and full body style with barrel fermentation
describe albariño
grown in the northwest, thick skin, able to resist fungal disease, high in acid,refreshing citrus and stone fruit
what is the most widely planted grape variety in spain
airen- majority in la mancha because it can withstand the heat, makes acceptable wine but mostly used in the production of brandy de jerez
what are the main variety’s of cava production?
parellada, xarel-lo, macabeco
which of the cava grapes are also used for still wine production?
macabeco- known as Viura in rioja, traditionally it was heavily oaked but dan be unoaked, subtle herb, spice
what are the international variety’s being made in spain?
Cab sauv, Merlot, Sauvignon blanc, chardonnay
what is the spanish term for PDO
DOP
DO is also used
DOCa - DOs of 10 years (rioja and priorat) priorat uses DOQ
VP - single estates with high reputations
what is the spanish term for PGI?
VdlT
what are the aging and oak requirements for red
Joven - 0
Crianza - 2 years / 6 m in oak
Riserva - 3 years / 12 m in oak
Gran riserva - 5 years / 18 m in oak
what are the aging requirements for white?
Joven- 0
Crianza - 18m / 6 m in oak
Riserva - 2 years / 6 m in oak
gran riserva - 4 years / 6 m in oak
what are the regions in the upper ebro
Rioja
Navarra
carinena/calatayud
what are the 3 sub regions of Rioja
Rioja Alavesa - north bank of Ebro in foothills of cantabrian mountains - 500/800m
Rio alta - 500/800 m
Rio Baja - hotter summers and more severe winters low rainfall
what are the cooling influences of Rioja
altitude
atlantic ocean
cantabrian mountains shield from atlantic weather
what is the most widely planted grape in Rioja and the style and winemaking choices
tempranillo
does best in cooler, main component of most blends, adding red fruit flavours and medium tannins, it benifits from the body and alcohol from grenache and mazuelo and graciano are also in the blends
early drinking wines undergo semi carbonic maceration for red fruit and low tannins
wines designed for long term maturation are de stemmed crushed and undergo traditional fermentation - some have cap management and extended maceration for for heavily extracted wines
previously american oak was heavily used now more commonly french oak
describe a traditional white from Rioja vs a Modern and what is the most common grape?
Viura
traditionally they were aged in american oak, deliberately oxidized and and developed deep golden colour with nutty flavours
modernly they are made with minimal oxygen contact
what is the most widely planted variety of Navarra and what style are they making?
Tempranillo
blended with other rioja varieties or with Cab and Merlot
what is the style of Rose in Navarra
grenache grapes picked early when acid is high and sugar is low, handled protectively to create refreshing fruity wines with medium alcohol
what are the white grapes in Navarra
Viura
Chardonnay
Sauvignon blanc
what is the climate of Carinena and Calatayud and what is the main grape?
warm continental low rainfall
garnacha - fruity and inexpensive
blends of garnacha and carinena old vines have greater structure and fruit intensity
what are the regions of Catalunya
Pendes
Priorat
why does catalunya have a generic DO
to enable blending to create high volume branded wines
what are the 3 climate regions of the pendes
coastal plain - hot/mediterranean
valleys - slightly cooler
further up the hills - 800 m moderate climate
what are the grapes grown in the pendes
majority is cava production grapes
ask chardonnay, sauv blanc, gewurtrazimer, merlot, cab sauv, tempranillo, pinot noir
what is tempranillo in pendes
ull de llebre
what is the climate of priorat
long. hot dry summers low annual rainfall
priorats warm conditions are best for which grapes?
old vine garnacha and carinena
what are the soils in priorat?
llicorella - red slate soils with small particles of mica
they reflect and conserve heat and retain water
why are priorats wines expensive?
the steep slopes and bush vines make mechanisation hard, vineyards are expensive and time consuming
low nutrient soils and age of vines produce low yields
describe red priorat
deep colour, high tannins, med- high alc, black fruit
new french oak
Garnacha and carinena are the core blends and cab sauv can be added
what are the regions of The Duero Valley
ribera del duero
toro
rueda
what is the climate of ribera del duero
short hot dry summers cold winters
850 m elevation for cool nighttime temperatures to retain acidity and freshness
what is the main grape of ribera del duero?
tempranillo
other grapes: cab, merlot, malbec, granacha for rose
describe a ribera del duero wine making process
long macerations and ageing in new french oak
describe wines from toro
full bodied and intense fruit high alcohol tempranillo
what are the 2 important varieties in rueda
verdejo
sauvignon blanc
white blends from rueda must contain?
at least 50% verdejo
what are the regions of the north west
rias baixas
bierzo
what is the climate of rias biaxas
moderate/damp climate
describe albariño from rias biaxas and the growing conditions
mildew and rot are a problem so vines are trained on pergolas for air circulation
it’s high acid and ripe fruit typically unoaked some oaked / lees style
what regions make up the levante?
valencia
jumilla
yecla
what is the predominant grapes in valencia
monastrell
merseguera
muscat - to produce moscadel de valencia - a sweet fortified wine
what is the majority grape in jumilla and yecla
monastrell
what is coming from la mancha
airen - neutral fresh wines
tempranillo, cencibel, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah, chardonnay
inexpensive well made reds and whites for export
