Spain Flashcards
Mid-19th Century Spanish Civils Wars
Luciano de Murrieta and Marques de Riscal escaped to Bordeaux and then brought back new techniques and French barriques
Rioja Wine Exporters Syndicate
1907 founding to guarantee authenticity in export markets
Consejo Regulador
1926 founding, regulatory council in Rioja
20th Century
Civil War led to dictatorship, destroyed economy, economic isolation. High volume wine for domestic consumption. Mid 70’s return to democratic rule + EU in 1986
Spain Climate
NW: Maritime climate with high rainfall due to Atlantic Influene
N/NE: sheltered by mountains, more continental, some Mediterranean influence
S and E: Mediterranean, warm dry summers and mild winters
Meseta: 600-900m, continental, hot days, cool nights
Production Levels
Largest vineyard plantings globally - 969,000 ha
3rd largest producer by volume behind Italy and France (low density and old vines)
Vineyard Density
Low density as rainfall is low (300mm in some parts).
Irrigation
Permitted after 1996, but regulated. Sometimes just for young vines and extreme drought, or some regions only during start of growing season
Hazards
Summer storms with rising temps afterward mean mildew risk
Spring frosts in continental areas
Phylloxera
Areas with sandy soils such as Toro and Rueda unaffected and still have ungrafted vines
Vineyard holdings
Small vineyards - 66% are .5 ha or less, 22% are .5-3 ha.
This means less mechanisation
Airen
Neutral white grape variety
Mostly planted in Castilla - La Mancha
Inexpensive whites for early consumption or Brandy de Jerez
Tempranillo
Medium to high yield
Early ripening, best in warm climates with some cooling influence
High volume, fruity, inexpensive, or premium (Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Toro)
Bobal
Grown near east coast for red and rose wines
Garnacha Tinta
Red and Rose
Central north and north east
Rioja, Navarra, Catalunya, Aragon
Macabeo
Catalunya or Rioja (where it is known as Viura)
Inexpensive neutral wines or component of premium oak-fermented and aged wines
Monastrell
Mourvedre
Grown around Valencia and Murcia
Late ripening, needs heat late in growing season to ripen fully
Winemaking Styles
Red, white, rose made protectively in stainless steel
Carbonic or semi-carbonic
Premium red and whites in stainless steel, concrete, amphorae
Premium reds and whites aged in oak
National Ageing Requirements
Red Crianza: 24 months, 6 months in oak
Red Reserva: 36 mo, 12 in oak
Red Gran Reserva: 60 mo, 18 in oak
White/Rose Crianza: 18 mo, 6 in oak
White/Rose Reserva: 24 mo, 6 in oak
White/Rose Gran Reserva: 48 mo/6 in oak
Oak
Often American oak because of strong trade relationship and lower price
Rose/Rosado
Recently more Very Good quality at mid and premium prices
Traditionally deeper in colour, but pale becoming more popular
Premium roses fermented and matured in oak or on lees
Traditional Style (Lopez de Heredia): black and white grapes macerated, then pressed and fermented together, matured in oak
DO
70 Denominacion de Origen in Spain
PDO
DOCa/DOQ
Denominacion de Origen Calificada/Qualificada
Must be an established DO for 10 years
Bottled at producer’s own property, must have quality regulations, including tasting assessment by external panel and audit
VP
Vino de Pago
Single estates, mostly in Castilla-La Mancha, some in Navarra, Valencia, and Aragon
Only estate grapes, vinified and matured on estate
VT
Vino de la Tierra
PGI
40 VTs in Spain
Largest in Castilla
Vino
Wine without a GI
Wine Business - Types of Businesses
Large cooperatives in many regions
Negociants common in some regions
Wine estates producing small volumes
Largest wine business for still, unfortified wines
J Garcia Carrion, Felix Solis Avantis, Pernod Ricard Groupe, Miguel Torres SA, Bodegas Martins Codax SA
Domestic Consumption
Low compared to other producing countries
10.2 million hL
Trend towards premiumisation
Exports
Largest exporter in volume - 21mill hL
Average price per litre the lowest of any major country
Bulk wine
Not fashionable on investment market
France 24%
Germany 17%
UK, USA, China
Foods and Wines from Spain
Promotional body for entire country
Galicia
NW of Spain
Cool, wet, Atlantic weather
Rias Baixas DO
Largest Galicia DO
170 wineries
70’s and 80’s push for indigenous varieties and modern equipment - improvement in quality
5 non-contiguous sub-zones
Rias Baixas Growing Environment
Most westerly DO
Maritime
1700mm
Free-draining sand over granite bedrock
Albarino
Grown in Rias Baixas
Thick skins, resistant to rot
Early to mid-ripening
High acidity, medium (-) or medium body, medium alcohol, apple, lemon, grapefruit, peach, floral
Rias Baixas grape varieties
White:
Albarino (main variety, sometimes blended)
Loureira
Treixadura
Caino Blanco
Souson
Caino Tino
Loureira
Rias Baixas
Early ripening
Medium (+) acidity, aromatic, citrus, pear, floral, herbal
Treixadura
Rias Baixas
Mid-ripening, low acidity, apple, and peach
Caino Blanco
Rias Baixas
Late ripening, high acidity, citrus
Rias Baixas Sub-Zones
Val do Salnes
I Rosal
Condado do Tea
Ribera do Ulla
Soutomaior
Val do Salnes
Rias Baixas Sub Zone
oldest, with most plantings and wineries
on the coast, coolest and wettest zone, highest acidity wines
O Rosal
Rias Baixas
Along the River Mino on the border with Portugal
White blends
Condado do Tea
Rias Baixas
Inland from O Rosal
Warmer, riuper, peach and lower acidity
Ribeira do Ulla
Rias Baixas newest sub zone
inexpensive and mid-priced wines
Soutomaior
Rias Baixas smallest subzone
Rias Baixas producers
Pazo de Senorans and Palacio de Fefinanes, good quality
Rias Baixas Trellising
Pergola/Parral, using granite supports as wood rots in humidity
Promotes air circulation under the canopy
VSP also used for mechanisation
On the lees
Sobre lias
Rias Baixas Winemaking
Generally protective
Sometimes a few hours of maceration and sometimes some MLF
Lees ageing for more premium wines
Premium wines fermented in oak
Rias Baixas Wine Business
1/4 exports, which has increased recently
USA, UK
Ribeiro DO
Galicia
West, east of souther Rias Baixas
Maritime climate, more sheltered
Treixadura most planted variety
Ribeira Sacra DO
Galicia
Inland, following valley of River Mino and River Sil
Continental with limited maritime influence
Vineyards on steep, stony valley sides
Mencia with fresh, early drinking red fruit, medium body and tannin, and medium (+) Acidity
Valdeorras DO
Galicia
Up river Sil, most easterly of Galician DOs
Continental climate, 700-1000mm rain
300m altitude
Slate soils
Godello with citrus and stone fruit, herbal/wet stone, medium (+) acidity, sometimes premium in oak
Some Mencia
Monterrei DO
Galicia
South of Ribeira Sacra on border of Portugal
Sheltered by Sierra de Larouca mountains, continental climate with low rainfall
Bulk wine, some good quality riper Mencia, fruity Godello
Castilla y Leon
North Spain
High altitude plateau (northern part of the meseta), mountains to north and south
Mostly continental, some maritime influence in west
Bierzo DO
Castilla y Leon
Alvaro Palacios and Ricardo Perez 1990’s
Hills/mts on three sides, but maritime influence to the west
Some years cool & rainy, some warm & dry
Mencia 75% of plantings, must contribute 70% with the rest from Alicante Bouschet
Mencia
Early to mid-ripening, quickly accumulates sugar and loses acidity if picked too late
Light and fruity with medium tannin or concentrated full body and higher tannins
Bierzo DO wine styles
Flat plains and lower slopes produce inexpensive high yield wines with med (-) body and tannin, and red fruits, sometimes carbonic or semi carbonic maceration
500-850m altitude on slopes and slate soils, higher diurnal range, old bush vines produce wines with medium to medium (+) body and tannins, higher alcohol, ripe red fruit, floral, herbal sometimes oaked
Bierzo Wine Business
Vintage variation in volumes
3000 ha grown by 2000 growers, small plots with little mechanisation
75 wineries
2017 new classifications within DO Bierzo recognised to designate villages and specific vineyards
Toro DO
Castilla y Leon
River Duero cuts through it
Continental, hot summers and cold winters, spring frosts
620-750m altitude, high diurnal range
Tinta de Toro for red wines, must be 75% of blend with the rest Garnacha
Malvasia or Verdejo for whites
Old vines, ungrafted
Tinta de Toro
Possibly a form of Tempranillo, or a separate autochthonous Toro grape
Thicker skins
Toro DO Irrigation
Not permitted after June until end of harvest
Low density to manage water
Bush Vines
Toro DO wine style
Tinta de Toro
Deep colour, high alcohol and tannin, blackberry and blueberry, medium (+) to high acidity
max 15% abv
Toro DO winemaking
Inexpensive/Mid: carbonic maceration
Premium: oak, more concentrated
Toro DO Producers
Teso la Monja
Numanthia
Good quality
Toro DO Wine Business
Long history, but not always popular as far from ports. Investors became interested as Ribera del Duero became more popular
8 wineries in 1998 to 50 now
Ribera del Duero DO
1990’s exploded (9 wineries in 1982, 280 today)
Lots of investment, but also lots of newly founded winery, possibility of overproduction and quality could be compromised
Vega Sicilia
Ribera del Duero first winery
Pesquera
Ribera del Duero winery founded by Alejandro Fernandez, popularised the region
Ribera del Duero Growing Environment
Continental
Upper valley of River Duero
Similar climate to Toro and Rueda, but slightly hotter summers, colder winters, higher altitude
Ribera del Duero Hazards
Spring and autumn frosts
Low rainfall 400-600mm
Ribera del Duero Irrigation
Permitted but not during ripening period
Ribera del Duero Vineyards
Eastern side is higher and cooler
1/4 plantings are 50 yrs old, vines over 100
1/2 vineyards are bush vines
Ribera del Duero grape varieties
Tempranillo, called Tinto Fino or Tinta del Pais
Ribera del Duero DO Wine Styles
As of 2019, whites allowed in DO
Majority is red
Full-bodied, high alcohol, ripe blackberry and plum, vanilla, chocolate, american oak
Good to Outstanding, mid to super premium
Crianza (popular), Reserva, Gran Reserva (rare)
Ribera del Duero DO Whites
Albillo Mayor at least 75%
Ribera del Duero DO Reds
75% Tempranillo minimum, blended with Cab, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha, and Albillo
Full-bodied, high alcohol, ripe blackberry and plum, vanilla, chocolate, american oak
Good to Outstanding, mid to super premium
Crianza (popular), Reserva, Gran Reserva (rare)
Ribera del Duero Exports
20% exported
Switzerland, Mexico, USA, Germany, China
Rueda DO
White wine
Traditionally oxidative fortified wines, but out of fashion
Marques de Riscal invested for fresh fruity white production
Rueda Climate
Hot dry summers, cold winters, low rainfall
700-800m altitude
Rueda DO Soils
Limestone bedrock with sandy clay sub-layer and stony topsoil (sometimes sand topsoil)
Free-draining and low in organic matter, reduces vine vigour
Ruedo DO Grape Varieties
Verdejo
Sauvignon Blanc
Verdejo
Grown in Rueda
Drought tolerant
Medium to medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol, apple, pear, peach, herbal/fennel, bitter finish
Verdejo
Grown in Rueda
Drought tolerant
Medium to medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol, apple, pear, peach, herbal/fennel, bitter finish
Verdejo
Grown in Rueda
Drought tolerant
Medium to medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol, apple, pear, peach, herbal/fennel, bitter finish
Rueda Trellising
VSP
Night harvests to keep grapes cool
Very old bush vines, some ungrafted on sandy soil
Rueda Winemaking
High volume - protective
Mid - lees
Premium - oak
No MLF for any of them
Rueda Wine Styles
Mostly white from SB or Verdejo (75% if varietal labelled)
Some red and rose from Tempranillo, but too much competition from Ribera del Duero and Toro
Rueda Production Levels
Quadrupled from 2000-2019
60% made by local companies, the rest from Rioja/Ribera estates who bought some vineyards
Rueda Domestic vs Export
Predominantly domestic consumption
Export to Netherlands, Germany, USA, Switzerland
Castilla Y Leon VT
Northern part of meseta
Protected from maritime influence by mountains in the north
Covers large geographic area, but most vineyards inside are DO, not VT - only 9000 ha
Rioja Geography
North of Spain, NE of Castilly y Leon, Navarra to the E
DOCa is 100km long nw to se along River Ebro
Sierra de Cantabria mountains to the north
Sierra de la Demanda to the south sheltering from heat
River Ebra + tributaries
Vineyards located in La Rioja and also Alava province in Basque country and some in Navarra
Rioja Zones
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Oriental
Rioja Alta
Largest zone, south of River Ebro, west of Logrono
Around river: Continental with some maritime, low altitude, warm
Alluvial soils
NW corner is cooler and wetter, with calcareaous clay soils
Southern area is 700m altitude, cool
Rioja Alavesa
smallest zone, west of Logrono and north of river Ebro
Cool and wet, 700m altitude
Calcareous Clay
Rioja Oriental
Slightly smaller than Rioja Alta
East of Logrono, north and south of river Ebro
used to be Rioja Baja
low altitude, armest and driest
Southern part, 500-1000m altitude and cooler areas
Calcareous clay and ferrous clay
Tempranillo
88% of plantings for black varieties
Reliably produces large yields
Garnacha pulled up when irrigation allowed as drought resistance not needed
Ripens well in Rioja Alta and Alavesa as it can ripen in cooler sites and clays oil
Raspberry and black plum, medium to medium (+) levels of tannin and acidity
Garnacha
Second most planted variety, 8%
Warm, dry conditions
Rioja Oriental
RIpe strawberry fruit, lower tannin, fuller body
Graciano
Rioja
Late Ripening
Drought-resistant
Small yields, susceptible to fungal disease
Contributes high acidity, tannin, fresh black fruit flavours
Mazuelo
Also called Carinena/Carignan
Contributes high acidity
2% plantings
Maturana Tinta
Trousseau
Permitted in Rioja starting in 2009
Contributes deep purple colour, high acidity, cranberry and blackberry flavours to blend
Cabernet Sauvignon
Permitted in Rioja, but only small quantity planted
Viura
Also called Macabeo
Most planted white grape in Rioja, 70%
Late-budding, late-ripening, susceptible to botrytis and suited to warm, dry sites
Neutral
Tempranillo Blanco
White mutation of Tempranillo discovered in 1988
13% white plantings
High acidity, lemon, grapefruit, pineapple
Malvasia & Garnacha Blanca
used as blending components in white Rioja
Adds diversity of flavour, Garnacha Blanca adds acidity
Verdejo & Sauvignon Blanc
In Rioja, made into single varietal wines or blended with Viura in inexpensive unoaked styles
Rioja Consejo barrel ageing requirements - barrel type
225L barriques only
Vinos de Autor
In 1990’s, some producers started making wines with low yield, select vines, ripe, concentrated, structured, aged in new French oak
Traditional Red Rioja
Less concentration/extraction, long ageing in American oak
Aromas of dried fruit, mushroom, cured meats, vanilla, coconut
Rioja Reds - blending
Plots from across the 3 zones often blended together for style
Tempranilla, Garnacha, and Graciano blended together
Inexpensive White Rioja
Simple, protective, unoaked
Acceptable to Good
Mid-priced and Premium White Rioja
Oaked
Traditional oxidative style
Now, more balanced and fresh
Viura at lower yields, with Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca
Medium (+) body and acidity, smoky, nutty
Classic traditional style producers of White Rioja
Castillo Ygay from Marques de Murrieta
Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva from Lopez de HEredia
Vino de Zona
Rioja Consejo Regulador new regulations in 2017
All wines from a single zone
15% may come from outside if they have used the vineyard for 10 consecutive years
Vinification, ageing, and bottling must take place within the zone
Vina de Municipio
Rioja Consejo Regulador new regulations in 2017
Must be sourced from village or group of villages named
15% from other municipalities, if 10 consecutive years
Vinification, ageing, and bottling must take place within the municipality
Vinedo Singular
Single Vineyard
Vinification, ageing, and bottling must take place within the zone
Produceder must own vineyard for 10 years, minimum 35 year vineyard, maximum yields apply
Handharvested, sustainable winemaking
Rioja Wine Ageing Requirements
Red Crianza: 24 mo, 12 in oak
Red Reserva: 36 mo, 12 in oak, 6 in bottle
Red Gran Reserva: 60 mo, 24 in oak, 24 in bottle
White/Rose Crianza: 24 mo, 6 in oak
White/Rose Reserva: 24 mo, 6 in oak
White/Rose Gran Reserva: 48 mo, 6 in oak
Rioja Wine Business
50% is vineyards 1ha or less
75% is 2ha of less
15,000 growers, 40% sell to coops
Some large wineries, some small vineyards
Some producers are grower-negociants
Export markets 37% in 2018 to UK, Germany, USA
Crianza most popular domestically, Reserva & Gran Reserva export
Conejo Regulador
Markets Rioja wines using PR companies in local markets
Promote the value for money
Bodegas Familiares de Rioja
40 small/medium producers who promote together
Rioja ‘n’ Roll
Small, first-gen producers making quality wines
Navarra Geography
Directly NE of La Rioja
Atlantic, Mediterranean, Pyranees to NE
Navarra Sub-regions
Baja Montana
Valdizarbe
Tierra Estella
Ribera Alta
Ribera Baja
Baja Montana
Northern Navarra Sub-regio
East to west
Hilly, cooler and wetter with Atlantic influence
Valdizarbe
Tierra Estella
Northern Navarra Sub-regio
East to west
Hilly, cooler and wetter with Atlantic influence
Ribera Alta
middle of Navarra
Warmer, drier, flatter
Ribera Baja
Southern Navarra
Warmest, driest, flattest
Navarra Grape Varieties
Garnacha (for deep coloured rose)
Tempranillo
Moscatel de Grano Menudo
Sauvignon Blanc
Viura
Malvasia
International varieties: Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay
Navarra Chardonnay
Principle white grape
Citrus and peach, medium alcohol, medium to medium (+) acidity
both oaked and unoaked
Navarra Garnacha
Lighter bodied, red berry fruit, medium (+) acidity in cooler zones
Fuller bodied, higher tannin in Ribera Baja
Navarra Rose
Deep-coloured, dry rose from Garnacha, sometimes with Tempranillo, Cabernet, Merlot
Mostly from cooler regions
Short maceration, not direct pressing
3-4 hours for pale, 6-12 for deeper
Navarra producers
Domaine Lupier
Bodegas J Chivite
Good to Very Good, sometimes Outstanding
Inexpensive to mid priced
Aragon
Four DOs
Carinena DO
Campo de Borja DO
Calatayud DO
All in the west
Somontano DO in North-East
Carinena DO
Campo de Borja DO
Calatayud DO
Aragon
Inland, warm continental with hot dry summers
450-500mm
High altitude plateaus and slopes
Cold cierzo wind from north
Red wines, old vine garnacha, old bush vines
Rocky free-draining soils
Mostly high volume wines, some very good wines
Carinena DO
Campo de Borja DO
Calatayud DO
Wine Styles
High volume: medium to ful, high alcohol, medium tannin, ripe red & black fruit
Premium: concentrated raspberry & plum, spice from oak, medium (+) acidity, medium to medium (+) tannin, high alcohol
Somontano DO
Foot of Pyrenees
Warm continental, but some rain
250-650m
Cool breezes from mountains
Cab and Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer
External investment
Vinas del Vero winery
Vinas del Vero
invested in by local bank
modern, high tech winery
Since 2008, owned by Gonzales Byass of Jerez
Catalunya
NE of Spain on Mediterranean coast
International varieties
11 DOs and 1 DOQ
Vi de Finca
Vi de Finca
Catalunya
Single estate wines with strict specifications, yield restrictions, minimum length of time for wine to be established on market
Catalunya DO
Grapes anywhere in Catalynua
Inexpensive and mid-priced
Penedes DO
Catalunya
Down the Mediterranean coast from Barcelona to mountains inland
Xarello, Macabeo, Parellada
Chardonnay
Moscatel
SB
Gewurz
Riesling
Merlot
Cab
Tempranillo
Pinot
Syrah
Penedes DO Zones
Penedes Maritim
Penedes Central
Penedes Superior
Penedes Maritim
Between sea and coastal range of hills
Low altitude, warm
Full bodied reds from Monastrell
Some cava vareitals
Penedes Central
Flat plains “Pre-Coastal Depression”, between coastal range and inland mountains
High altitude vineyards
Cava grapes, plut Merlot, Cab, Tempranillo, Chard
Penedes Superior
500-800m in inland mountains
Chard, SB, Riesling, Gewurz, Pinot
Penedes Winemaking
Dijon-educated Miguel Torres brought temp controlled stainless steel
Reputation for clean, fruity wines
Some premium too
Penedes Wine Law
Zoning of vineyard area
10 sub-zones
Penedes Exports
30% export to Germany, Canada, Switzerland, China, USA
Lots of sales to Barcelon
Priorat DOQ
Catalunya
Lack of easy access, difficult topography
Rene Barbier & group of viticulturists used French-inspired techniques
2009, DO to DOQ
Priorat Growing Environment
Warm continental
Serra de Montsant in north protects from cold winds
Serra de Llabera protects from Mediterranean influence in south
500-600mm
Irrigation in drought and new vineyards
River Siurana runs through
Priorat vineyards
Slopes called costers 5%-60%
Narrow terraces to reduce erosion
No machines
Poor and stony, some clay, llicorella slate soils with mica
Vertical layers of slate
Low yield, bush vines or VSP
Priorat varieties
Garnacha
Carinena
Cabernet
Syrah
Merlot
Garnacha Blanca
Macabeo
(small amounts)
Priorat Classifications
Vi de Vila: from one of 12 sub-zones
Vi de Paratge: within a single paratge or named site (“lieu-dit”)
Vinya Classificada: cru
Gran Vinya Classificada: grand cru
Producers must own the vineyard or rented for 7 years
“Vinya” or “Gran Vinya” must have recognition as outstanding wine brand for over 5 years
Priorat Old Vines Classification
Old Vines minimum 75 years old
Montsant DO
Catalunya
Ring around Priorat DOQ
Mostly vineyards in south, flatter land along River Ebro
Mediterranean
Some vineyards in mountainous north
Monsant DO Soils
Range of soils: clay based to sandy
Llicorella in south
limestone in north and east
More fertile than Priorat
Monsant Grape Varieties
Garnacha
Carinena
Tempranillo
Syrah, Merlot, Cab
Monsant DO Wine Business
1900ha, 700 growers, 60 wineries
Cooperatives mostly
Similar climate to Priorat, cheaper land
Monsant DO Exports
45% exported
Germany, US, France, Switzerland, UK
Costers del Segre DO
Catalunya, further north
7 sub zones
Continental climate
400mm rainfall
First planted by Raventos (Codorniu) who started Raimat
Costers del Segre DO Vineyards
Sandy & free draining soil, need irrigation
Some vineyards at altitude: cava grapes mostly
Costers del Segre DO Grapes
Cava grapes
Chard
Garnacha Blanca
SB
Garnacha
Tempranillo
Cab
Merlot
Costers del Segre Wine Styles
Fresh, fruity
Some premium
