Spain Flashcards
Rioja aging quality levels for red wines
Crianza- 2 years aging, 1 minimum in oak
Reserva 3 years aging, 1 year minimum in oak
Gran Reserva- 5 years, 2 minimum in oak
Important Spanish regions
Rias Baixas
Rioja
Ribera del Duero
Toro
Rueda
Penedes (cava)
Priorat
Rias Baixas location/climate
Northwest corner of spain, borders Portugal
Humid and maritime (due to proximity to atlantic ocean/ numerous rivers)
Albarino vinification
Stainless steel fermentation
crisp dry aromatic white wine
Albarino is labeled by varietal, not region. unlike most other spanish wine
Where did Rioja get its name?
Named after the Oja, named after a small tributary of the main river Ebro
rio (river) Oja
Rioja location/geography
North-central spain.
Cantabrian mountains North West
Pyrenees Mountans North East
Vino tinto-
Vino blanco-
Vino rosado
(spanish wine)
tinto- red
blanco- white
rosado- rose
Seco vs Dulce in spanish wine
seco-dry
dulce-sweet
What was Spains first DOCa
Rioja
What river flows through Rioja?
Ebro
Rioja Climate
Dry, continental
Cantabrian and Pyrenees mountains create rain shadow from Atlantic
3 Sub-regions of Rioja (from west to east)
Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Baja (warmest)
Red/White grapes of Rioja
Tempranillo
Garnacha
Mazuelo (carignan)
Graciano
*Viura (macabeo)
malvasia
Garnacha blanca
Tempranillo blanco
Oak use in Rioja
Traditional-American oak, old world in style
Modern- French oak
What is a bodega?
Spanish winery or wine estate
The Duero River Valley wine regions from west to east
Toro> Rueda> Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero Climate
Continental.
Hot summers, cold winters, and extreme diurnal shifts
Local names for Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero
Tinto Fino
Tinto del Pias
What wines are made in Ribera del Duero?
Red wines only, small production of rose
Where is Vega-Sicilia located?
Ribera del Duero
Toro Climate
Continental, extremely hot, dry summers
Toro Grape
Tempranillo (known as Tinto de Toro)
Toro is known for rich, intense red wines
Rueda climate
continental
What wines are made in Rueda?
Crisp dry whites
Verdejo
sauvignon blanc
Cava location/ climate
Northeast spain. Overlaps penedes and several other DO appelations
mediterranean climate
Cava vinification
Metodo tradicional (champagne method)
Cava grapes
all white
Xarel-lo
macabeo
parellada
some chardonnay
Priorat DOCa location/climate
NE spain, few miles from mediterranean
Hot and dry
What is llicorella?
Best soil in priorat, a mix of black slate and quartzite
Priorat grape varietes
Garnaca
Cariñena (Carignan)
intense, concentrated dry reds
