Spain

Question 1

Describe the Duero Valley DO.

Answer 1

Ribero del Duero: Tempranillo, Grenache, Intl. varieties
Surrounded by mountains, high altitude -> cool nights retain acidity
Tempranillo usually for red, Grenache for rose

Toro: Tempranillo, Garnacha
Rose and white also made in small quantities

Rueda: Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc
White wine region, continental climate, cool summer nights
Varietal or blends. Blend must be >=50% Verdejo

Question 2

Describe the Upper Ebro DO.

Answer 2

Rioja: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura
3 sub-regions - Rioja Alata, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Baja

Navarra: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura
Tempranillo usually for red, Garnacha for rose

Carinena & Calatayud: Garnacha
Neighboring DOs, warm continental climates

Question 3

Describe the Levante DO.

Answer 3

Valencia: Monastrell, Merseguera, Muscat of Alexandria
Source of value-for-money wines
Monastrell used for red, Merseguera for white, and Muscat for Moscatel de Valencia (sweet, fortified)

Jumilla & Yecla: Monastrell
Hot, arid climates
Wines are young and fruity

Question 4

Describe the North West DO.

Answer 4

Cooler and wetter than rest of Spain
Focuses on white wines

Rias Baixas: Albarino
Humidity = mildew and rot, vines trained on pergolas (for air circulation)

Bierzo: Mencia
Red wine DO
Moderate climate, cool maritime influence

Question 5

Describe the Catalunya DO.

Answer 5

Catalunya: Generic DO, Cava and still wines

Penedes: Cava grapes, international varieties
3 climates: Mediterranean on coast, cooler on plains, moderate in hills

Priorat: Garnacha, Carinena
Soil is red slate with mica, reflects sun, retains water
med-high alcohol, high tannins, black fruit, new oak

Question 6

Describe the Castilla-La Mancha DO.

Answer 6

Almost half of Spain’s w ine comes from here

La Mancha: Airen, Tempranillo, international varieties
Largest DO in Spain
Makes inexpensive, well-made white and red

Valdepenas: Airen, Tempranillo
Reputation for higher quality than La Mancha

Question 7

Describe Spanish wine laws.

Answer 7

Vinos de Pago (VP) - Single estate wines with high reputation

PDO: DO and DOCa (DOs can apply for DOCa after 10 years)
PGI: VdLT (Vino de la Tierra)

Question 8

What are the minimum ageing requirements for red Spanish wines?

Answer 8

Ageing      Barrels
Joven                   0               0
Crianza               24               6
Reserva              36              12
Gran Reserva     60              18

Unit = months

Question 9

What are the minimum ageing requirements for white and rose Spanish wines?

Answer 9

Ageing      Barrels
Joven                   0               0
Crianza               18               6
Reserva              24               6
Gran Reserva     48               6

Unit = months

Question 10

Describe the black grape varieties of Spain.

Answer 10

Main Varieties
Tempranillo: Premier black grape
   Does best in areas w/ sea influence or altitude (against strong summer sun)
Monastrell: Drought tolerant
Garnacha Tinto: Used in blends and rose

Other Varieties
Graciano: Used in Rioja blends to add acid, tannin, black fruit
Carinena/Mazuelo: Blended with Tempranillo and Garnacha to add acid, tannin, color
Mencia: Moderate climate, med-high acid, red fruit, sometimes herbaceous

Question 11

Describe the white grape varieties of Spain.

Answer 11

Most fresh and fruity, harvested at night/early morning

Main Varieties
Verdejo: Used for Sherry, often blended with Sauvignon Blanc
Uses protective winemaking: light body, high acid, melon, peach
Albarino: Thick skin, resists fungal disease

Other Varieties
Airen: Most planted grape in Spain, used for brandy
Viura/Macabeo Used for Cava and still wine

Question 12

Describe the climate and grape growing of Spain.

Answer 12

3 climate zones:
North and North West - Moderate maritime
East (Catalunya to Levante) - Warm Mediterranean
Meseta Central - Hot continental

Heat and drought are biggest issues
Low-density, bush-trained vines are common