Spain Flashcards
Spain along with ______ makes up the Iberian Peninsula
Portugal
t/f: Spain is very mountainous
true
Most of Spain’s interior lies on the ______ Plateau
Meseta
Tempranillo is known for ______ acidity + aromas of….
moderate acidity + spice, chalk, strawberries, tobacco
Spain’s climate is generally ______
continental
This native grape accounts for 25% of plantings
Airen
Why is Spain’s climate continental despite being surrounded by bodies of water?
Mountains block off much of the maritime influence
These two mountain ranges in northern Spain shield Spain from winter storms and colder influences from the north
Pyrenees Mountains + Cantabrian Mountains
What is Airen?
Unremarkable white variety. Typically used for brandy production + bulk wine
Name for Spanish wine without geographical indication
Vino/Vino de Mesa
Spain’s name for PGI status wine
vino de la Tierra de
Spain’s PDO wines are divided into these 4 categories
Vino de calidad con indicacion geografica (VCIG)
Denominacion de origen (DO)
Vino de pago
Denominacion de origen califcada (DOCa)
What does Vino de pago indicate?
Category recognizes specific vineyard wines of distinction
What does VCIG status indicate?
up and coming regions expected to achieve DO status. stepping stone
DOCa status is reserved for wines that…
have demonstrated superior quality as a DO for a minimum 10 years
“vino nobile” on a label indicates
18 months of aging in barrel or bottle
“vino anejo” on a label indicates..
minimum 2 years aging in barrel of bottle
“vino viejo” on a label indicates
minimum 3 years aging
t/f: crianza, reserva, and gran reserva may only be used on PDO level wines
true
Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva aging requirements
Crianza - 6 months barrel, 24 months total
Reserva - 12 months barrel, 36 months total
Gran Reserva - 18 months barrel, 60 months total
Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva aging requirements for white and rose wine
crianza - 6 months barrel, 18 mo total
reserva - 6 months barrel, 24 mo total
gran reserva - 6 months barrel, 48 mo total
What does “joven” indicate on a label?
PDO wine released the year after it was made. no oak aging requirement
Where is Galicia?
Autononomous communinity located in northwest corner aka Green Spain
Galicia is know forn wines with ____ flavors and ____ acidity
crips, high
What are the leading wine regions of Castilla y Leon?
Toro DO Ruedo DO Bierzo DO Cigales DO RIbera del Duero DO
Tempranillo is known as …. in Toro DO
Tinta de Toro
Toro DO is known for …
Powerful reds based on Tinta de Toro (aka tempranillo)
Ruedo DO is prized for its (red/white/rose) wines
white
Rueda DO white wines are typically based on this grape
Verdejo
Rueda DO is known for signification _______ shifts
diurnal
Bierzo DO lies just to east of the border of _____
Galicia
Bierzo DO is best know for its flavorful reds made from _____ grape
Mencia
This DO in Castilla y Leon is known for reds made with Mencia
Bierzo DO
Tempranillo is known by this name in Cigales DO
Tinta del Pais
Where is Cigales DO?
Castilla y Leon
Cigales DO mostly produces red wines based on …..
Tempranillo
Tempranillo is known by these names in Ribera del Duero
Tinta del Pais
Tinto FIno
t/f: as of 2020, Ribera del Duero allows production of white wine
true
This region is historically famous for its rose, but has now reinvented itself with international grapes
Navarra
Where is Navarra?
Between La Rioja and France
Style of Navarra Rose
Dry, crisp, fruit-driven, typically based on Garnacha
Rioja lies in the valley of the ____ River
Ebro
These mountains help moderate Rioja from the cold influences of the Atlantic Ocean / Bay of Biscay
Cantabrian Mountains
Three biggest influences on RIoja’s climate
Ebro River
Cantabrian Mountains
Mediterranean Sea
The 3 sub-appellations of Rioja
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Oriental
Hottest and driest Rioja zone
Rioja Oriental
Most of Rioja’s finest grapes are produced in these zones
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
Leading white grape of Rioja
Viura
Other permitted red varieites of Rioja include
Garnacha
Mazuelo ( aka Carinena aka Carignan
Graciano
______ oak has traditionally been used in Rioja
American
Traditionally the focus in Rioja is not on fruit flavors but on…
earthiness, minerality, “leathery” bouquet
The stricter aging requirements in RIoja for Crianza, Reserva, & Gran Reserva
Crianza: 12 months barrel, 24 months total
Reserva; 12 months barrel, 36 months total
Gran Reserva: 2 years barrel, 60 months total
Priorat is known for _____ soils
Llicorella
The primary grape of Priorat
Garnacha
This grape is almost as prominent as Garnacha in Priorat
Carinena
Priorat lies within ….
Catalonia
The encompassing DO of Catalonia
Catalonia DO
Where is Tarragona DO located?
Catalonia
This DO forms a “C” shape surrounding Priorat
Montsant DO
Penedes DO focuses on (white/red/rose)
white
Primary grapes of Penedes DO
Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada
Name some prominent DOs of Catalonia
Priorat Penedes Montsant Catalonia Costers del Segre Tarragona
t/f: Castilla-La Mancha is home to vast acreage of high quality Garnacha
false. Airen production, mostly destined for Brandy
Where is Castilla-La Mancha?
central Meseta. flat, hot, dry. generally mass production, low quality
Murcia has 3 DOs known for the output of….
concentrated reds + flavorful roses based on Monastrell
This region is know for concentrates reds + flavorful rose based on Monastrell
Murcia
This region started the modern wine revolution in the 1970s. First area in spain to use stainless steel equipment + temp controlled fermentation techniques
Penedes
Where is Somontano DO located?
Within Aragon, in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains
Besides Albarino, what other grapes are used in Rias Baixas?
Loureira + Treixadura
First wine region to be designated as a DO
Rioja
When was Rioja designated as a DO
1925
When was Rioja elevated to DOCa status
1991
Some of Rioja’s vineyards are located within ___ Country and ____
Basque Country + Navarra
