Spain Flashcards
Name the sub-zones of Rias Baixas
- Ribeira do Ulla
- Val do Salnes
- Soutomaior
- Condado do Tea
- O Rosal
Describe Toro DO production
Rich, intense red wines. Primary grape is Tinto de Toro (Tempranillo)
Describe the difference between Rioja and Ribera del Duero wines
Ribera del Duero produces deeper color, more tannin, more intense black fruit, fuller body, and higher alcohol
What is Tinto Fino?
What Tempranillo is called in the Ribera del Duero
What mountain range protects Rioja?
The Pyrenees to the Northeast.
Describe the Spanish quality system
DO -> equivalent to France’s AOC
DOCa (DOQ) -> Highest quality regions
DO Pago -> Single Estates
Describe the Rioja quality levels
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva
What are the regions of Rioja?
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Oriental
Where is the primary production of cava?
Penedes -> near Barcelona
What is the main grape of Rias Baixas?
Albariño
What oak barrels are traditionally used in Rioja?
American Oak
What kind of wine does Priorat produce?
Intense, concentrated, dry red wine
What is the largest region of Rioja by vineyard area?
Rioja Oriental
Which of the following grape varieties is not permitted in Rioja DOCa?
a) Tempranillo
b) Garnacha Blanca
c) Albariño
d) Mazuelo
c) Albariño
Match the following producers with their flagship wines:
A) Marqués de Murrieta
B) López de Heredia
C) La Rioja Alta
D) Bodegas Muga
1) Viña Tondonia
2) Castillo Ygay
3) Gran Reserva 904
4) Prado Enea
A) Marqués de Murrieta → 2) Castillo Ygay
B) López de Heredia → 1) Viña Tondonia
C) La Rioja Alta → 3) Gran Reserva 904
D) Bodegas Muga → 4) Prado Enea
Which river runs through the Rioja region, and how does it influence the vineyards?
Ebro River – Provides water for irrigation and moderates the climate, creating ideal conditions for viticulture.
What is the minimum percentage of Tempranillo required in a Rioja red wine labeled as a single varietal?
85% (or 95% if destemmed).
What is the Vino de Pago classification, and how does it differ from Rioja DOCa?
Vino de Pago is a single-estate designation outside the Rioja DOCa system, focusing on unique terroirs. It is not tied to Rioja DOCa regulations and represents a higher level of specificity.
Which Rioja vintage from the last 20 years is considered exceptional, and why?
2010 – Known for its perfect balance of ripeness, structure, and acidity, with excellent aging potential.
Rioja Crianza aging requirements for red wine
2 years total:
min 1 year in oak
Rioja Reserva aging requirements for red wine
3 years total:
min 1 year in oak
min 6 months in bottle
Rioja Gran Reserva aging requirements for red wine
5 years total:
min 2 years in oak
min 2 years in bottle
Rioja Crianza aging requirements for white/rose wine
Aged for 6 months in barrel
Rioja Reserva aging requirements for white/rose wine
2 years total:
min 6 months in barrel
Rioja Gran Reserva aging requirements for white/rose wine
4 years total:
min 6 months in oak
Rioja Espumoso Genérico aging requirements
15 months in bottle
Rioja Espumoso Reserva aging requirements
24 months in bottle
Rioja Espumoso Gran Añada aging requirements
36 months in bottle
Average yearly rainfall in Rias Baixas
63-79 inches
What was the first recognized Vinos de Pago in Spain
2003: Dominio de Valdepusa in Castilla-La Mancha
How many Vinos de Pago are there in Spain
20
Most recent Vinos de Pago
2020: Pago del Vicario in Castilla-La Mancha
What is the primary soil type in Priorat, and what is its local name?
Llicorella – A type of slate soil with quartzite, known for its excellent drainage and heat retention, which helps ripen grapes in Priorat’s dry climate.
Which of the following grape varieties is not permitted in Priorat DOCa?
a) Garnacha
b) Cariñena
c) Albariño
d) Syrah
c) Albariño
Match the following villages with their Vi de Vila (village wine) designations:
A) Gratallops
B) Porrera
C) Torroja del Priorat
D) La Morera de Montsant
1) Torroja
2) Gratallops
3) Porrera
4) La Morera
A) Gratallops → 2) Gratallops
B) Porrera → 3) Porrera
C) Torroja del Priorat → 1) Torroja
D) La Morera de Montsant → 4) La Morera
What is the minimum aging requirement for a Gran Reserva red wine in Priorat?
5 years total:
min 2 years in barrel
What mountain range surrounds Priorat, and how does it influence the region’s climate?
Montsant Mountain Range – Protects the region from excessive rainfall and cold winds, creating a warm, dry Mediterranean climate ideal for grape ripening.
What is the minimum alcohol level required for Priorat DOCa red wines?
13.5% ABV
What is the Vi de Finca classification in Priorat, and how does it differ from Vi de Vila?
Vi de Finca is a single-estate designation for wines from a specific vineyard with proven quality over 10 years. It is more site-specific than Vi de Vila, which represents village-level wines.
Which Priorat vintage from the last 20 years is considered exceptional, and why?
2016 – Known for its perfect balance of ripeness, structure, and freshness, with excellent aging potential due to ideal growing conditions.
What are the three primary grape varieties used in traditional Cava production?
Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada
Match the following Cava classifications with their minimum lees aging requirements:
A) Cava
B) Cava Reserva
C) Cava Gran Reserva
D) Cava de Paraje Calificado
1) 9 months
2) 15 months
3) 30 months
4) 36 months
A) Cava → 1) 9 months
B) Cava Reserva → 2) 15 months
C) Cava Gran Reserva → 3) 30 months
D) Cava de Paraje Calificado → 4) 36 months
What is the maximum yield per hectare allowed for Cava production?
12,000 kg/ha
Order the following Cava sweetness levels from driest to sweetest:
Brut Nature
Seco
Extra Brut
Semi-Seco
Brut Nature
Extra Brut
Seco
Semi-Seco
What is the minimum alcohol level required for Cava?
10.8% ABV
What is the Cava de Paraje Calificado classification, and how does it differ from standard Cava?
This is a single-vineyard designation for Cava, requiring stricter standards such as:
36 months minimum lees aging
Grapes must come from a specific, high-quality site with proven excellence.
It differs from standard Cava by focusing on terroir-driven wines.
Which recent vintage is considered exceptional for Cava, and why?
2017 – Known for its balanced ripeness and acidity, with favorable growing conditions for high-quality sparkling wines.
Primary soil type found in Rias Baixas
Granite
Coldest subzone of Rias Baixas
Val do Salnés (furthest north and close to coast)
Hottest subzone of Rias Baixas
Condado do Tea (furthest inland)
