Spain Flashcards
Spain is the … largest producer of wine in the world
Third
Is irrigation allowed? If so, who controls it?
-yes
-Consejo Regulador
-different regulations on when irrigation is allowed, depends on region
There is a significant amount of …. planted. Is this seen as a negative or positive?
-Old bush vines
-positive because they produce high quality fruit
-not desired to pull them out and replant at higher densities
What rot is common in Spain, why?
-Mildew
-very little rain during the growing season but with storms and temperatures rising quickly after storms =risk of mildew
What rot is common in Spain, why?
-Mildew
-very little rain during the growing season but with storms and temperatures rising quickly after storms =risk of mildew
What is a weather hazard common in Spain? In what type of climates does this occur?
-Spring frosts
- Continental climates
Which areas in Spain are not affected by Phylloxera? Why?
-Toro& Rueda
-Due to sandy soils
Is organic viticulture widely practised? explain
-Yes
-Not certified because growers believe that consumers are not willing to pay more money for organic wines
Are vineyard holdings small or big in Spain? What does this mean?
-Small (66% under 0,5 ha)
-level of vineyard mechanisation limited
What is the most planted white grape variety?
Airen
What is the most planted red grape variety?
Airen:
-Where is it planted?
-What type of still wine does it make?
-Where is it also used for?
-Castilla-La Mancha
-inexpensive neutral white wine
-most of it distilled into Brandy de Jerez
Tempranillo:
-In what styles can it be made?
-What are the leading regions for Tempranillo?
-What is its yielding?
-What is its ripening?
-inexpensive fruity style or structured expensive wines
-Rioja, Ribera, Toro
-Medium to high yields -> popular for grape growers
-Early ripener, thrives well in warm climates with cooling influences
-Single varietal & blended
Monastrell:
-What are the leading regions?
-What climate is it suitable for?
-What is its ripening?
-Valencia and Murcia
-Warm mediterranean
- climate due to late ripening, needs heat to become fully ripe
How many ha under vine does Rias Baixas have?
4000 ha
How many grape growers does Rias Baixas have?
5500 growers
What are the leading traders in Rias Baixas?
Co-operatives
With what variety was Rias Baixas planted after Phylloxera?
-High yielding palomino
-growers would sell their grapes to local producers:small scale production
What happened in the 1970s&1980s in Rias Baixas?
-Incentives to grow other varieties&modernize winery equipment = quality improvement
- Quickly become popular, first domestically and then export
What is the climate of Rias Baixas?
Maritime
Is there high or low rainfall in Rias Baixas?
-high
-Atlantic moderates annual temperatures= warm summers, mild winters
-1700 mm throughout the year
What does the high rainfall mean in Rias Baixas? This can lead to..
-Fungal disease pressure
-Rain prior to harvest
-vintage variation
What is the soil type in Rias Baixas?
-sand over granite bedrock
-free draining so that soil does not get clogged
Explain the features of Albariño
-Thick skins, well suited to a damp climate making it less prone to damage from rot
-Early to mid-ripening -> can become fully ripe in most years
What kind of style does Albariño produces?
-high acidity
-medium (-) body
-medium levels of alcohol and aromas of apple,lemon,grapefruit,peach and sometimes floral
-mostly single varietal
What style does Loureira produce in Rias Baixas
-Early ripening
-medium (+) acidity
-citrus, pear,floral and herbal notes
What style does Treixadura produce in Rias Baixas?
-mid-ripening
- low acidity
-apple&peach
What style does Caiño Blanco produce in Rias Baixas?
-late ripening
-high acidity
-citrus flavours
What is unusual for a DO but common in Rias Baixas?
-5 non contiguous subzones
What is the oldest subzone of Rias Baixas? Where is it located?
-Val do Salnes is oldest -> greatest plantings and concentration of wineries
- Near the coast -> wettest and coolest area producing wines with high acidity
Where is the subzone or Rias Baixas ‘o rosal’ located? what type of wines does it produce?
-Along river miño close to Portuguese border
-albariño blended with loureiro, treixadura and caiño blanco
-South-facing sites on northbank of river -> warmer than val do salnes
-lower acidities
What type does candado do tea produces in Rias Baixas? Why?
-riper in style, more peach fruit, lower acidity
-drink when young
-inland from O Rosal -> warmer
What is the newest sub-zone of Rias Baixas called?
-Ribeira do Ulla
-inexpensive and mid-priced wines
What is the smallest sub-zone of Rias Baixas?
Sautomaior
How can a wine from Rias Baixas be described?
- High acidity
-med(-) acidity, med(-) body, med alc
-peach, melon,lemon,
-good-very good
-mid-priced to premium priced
Which training system is commonly used in Rias Baixas? Why?
-Pergola for agriculture to grow beneath
-To promote air circulation under canopy, reducing likelyhood fungal diseases
-Big producers: VSP to allow mechanisation
What are winemaking options in Rias Baixas?
-Protective winemaking to retain fresh fruit flavours
-grapes can be macerated -> enhance intensity flavours, greater texture
-cool fermentation in SS
-some producers: partial malo to reduce malic acidity in cool years rather than buttery notes
What is the difference between inexpensive and higher quality wines in Rias Baixas?
-inexpensive released early from winery
-higher quality: stored on lees (sobre lias) -> not stirred can introduce oxygen for more body and texture
-most expensive: ferment in oak, new (vanilla and toast) or big barrels for texture
how much of Rias Baixas wine is exported?
25%
Do the other regions in Galicia have more or less rainfall than Rias Baixas?
Less, further from atlantic ocean
What is the climate of Ribeira do?
Maritime, still lot of rainfall
What grape variety is most common in Ribeira? Name a winemaking option
-Treixadura
-Ferment/mature on oak for expensive wines
What is the location of Ribeira Sacra?
-Further inland in Galicia
-follows valley of river miño
What is the climate of Ribeira Sacra? Which other climate can it have and why?
-Continental, depending on exposure of site can be maritime influences
What are the sites of Ribeira Sacra?
-very steep valley sides at various altitudes and aspects
-making viticulture very labour intensive
What type of soil does Ribeira Sacra have? What are its features?
-stony soils
-good drainage, restore heat during the day
What is the main red grape variety in Ribeira Sacra? What style does it produce?
-Mencia
-red cherry and raspberry
-med body, med tannins, med(+) acidity
-mid-priced, fresh, early drinking styles
Where is Valdeorras located?
-Most easterly region of Galicia
-further up river Sil
What is the climate of Valdeorras?
-Continental with still plentiful rain (700-1000 mm)
-higher planted vineyards: 300 m
Which grape is popular in Valdeorras? Which style and quality does it produce?
-Godello
-good-very good
- citrus and stonefruit can have herbal/wetstone character, med(+) acidity
-premium: fermented and/or matured on oak: texture and toasty,spicy complexity
What is the location of Monterrei? How does this affect the climate?
-South of Ribeira Sacra close to Portuguese border
-inland, sheltered from ocean due to Sierra Larouca mountains: continental climate (hot summers), low rainfall
What style of wine does Monterrei produce?
-inexpensive in bulk
-some producers more quality focussed
-riper style of Mencia and fruitier Godello compared to Ribeira Sacra
Where is Castilla y leon located? describe its location
-In the North of Spain
-high altitude plateau north of the Meseta
-mountains to the North and South
What is generally speaking the climate of Castilla y Leon?
-due to mountains that partially block maritime influences = continental(apart from Bierzo)
Name the DOs of Castilla y Leon
Bierzo
Toro
Ribera del Duero
Rueda
Castilla y Leon VT
Where is Bierzo located?
North west of Castilla y Leon on the border with Galicia
What is Bierzo’s climate?
-maritime with continental influences due to more inland location
-warm summers and cooler winters
-low but adequate rainfall (720 mm)
What is Bierzo’s topography?
-Mountains and hills on 3 sides but open to the west (lets maritime influences through)
-vintage variation
-between 450-850 m on hillsides, quite high but lower than elsewhere in Castilla
Where is grapegrowing found in Bierzo? Name 2 and its soiltypes
-Terraced vineyards around sil river (manual labour, steep slopes) -> altitude brings cooling influence and thus larger diurnal range
soils: granitic and slate = good drainage and shallow soils = low vigour
- flat fertile plains in the middle of the DO = silty loam -> cheaper wines with often carbonic maceration, early drinking
What about old bush vines in Bierzo?
-Common
-80% of vines are 60 years or older
What is the main grape variety of Bierzo? Explain its features
-Mencia
-early to mid ripening, ripening too long = high alcohol, looses acidity thus without freshness, important to take care of the variety
-thin skinned: pale colour, med intensity, also prone to botrytis, rot, mildew and wind
What is the typical style of Mencia when grown in the central part of Bierzo?
-fertile soils = light to med - body, raspberry,cherry
-for early drinking and domestic market
-no oak, often semi carbonic maceration
-good quality, mid-priced
What is the style of Mencia in Bierzo when grown on terraced vineyards?
-longer growing season thus higher tannins and more concentration
-med(+) body and tannins, higher alcohol
-ripe red cherry, plum, herbal, floral:violet and lavender
-can be oaked: spicy character, but not too long, can mask fruitiness
-very good to outstanding
How many ha does Bierzo have?
3000 ha
How much of Mencia does a blend need to contain?
-70% minimum, often 100%
-can be blended with alicante bouschet for darker colour and bramble
What are the tiers of the clasification system of Bierzo?
-Bierzo DO
- Vino de Villa
-Vino de Paraje
-Vino de vina clasificada
-gran vino de vina clasificada
Where do the grapes from vino de villa need to come from in Bierzo?
-100% from 1 municipality with 20% lower yields than Bierzo DO
Where do the grapes from vino de paraje come from in Bierzo?
-one place ‘paraje’
- 25% lower yields than Bierzo DO
Where do grapes come from for vina clasificada and gran vino de vina clasificada in Bierzo?
- same plots or place, max yields are 30% lower than Bierzo DO and 35% for gran vino
Where is Ribera del Duero located?
-Upper valley of the river Duero in Castilla y Leon
What is the climate of Ribera del Duero and its problems?
-Very continental with extreme temperature differences between summer and winter- > hot summers, cool winters
-frosts in spring and autumn -> less time on vine, serious loss of yields
What about altitude in Ribera del Duero?
-High altitudes from 750 to 1000 m in the east of the region
Is there lots of rainfall in Ribera del Duero?
No, 400-600 mm, irrigation allowed but not during the ripening period
Which grape variety is mainly grown in Ribera del Duero?
-Tempranillo, here called tinto fino
Why is blending executed in Ribera del Duero?
The different sites with slightly different aspects and climate can be useful for balance, complexity and consistent yields (Flat floors and North facing vineyards can be prone to frost
Which grape growing systems are used?
-Old bush vines up to 100 years old
-newer vineyards trellised to install drip irrigation
Are there large holdings of vineyards in Ribera del Duero?
-No, average under 1 ha
What are the main soil types of ribera? Explain
-limestone = elegance, freshness and complexity
-clay= water retention thus more structured wines
-stones = no water retention but heat retention = more ripeness and darker fruits in wine
Explain the features of tinto fino
-thick skins -> high tannins and anthocyanins, can be dark coloured with long skin maceration
-medium to high yields, also popular for producers producing high yields
-quality focussed: more structured and complex wines
-early budding and ripening, needs warmth but also cooling influences
What is generally speaking the style of a ribera del duero red?
-full bodied, dark in colour, high alcohol ripe flavours of blackberry and plum and chocolate from oak
Which wines are allowed to be produced in Ribera del Duero
-red & rose
-since 2019 white also permitted from albillo mayor
What about ageing in ribera del duero?
-crianza up to gran reserva produced but mainly crianza
-aged in (new) oak. 50 up to 100 %
-french oak dominates (in Rioja American)
What are trends regarding winemaking in Ribera del Duero?
-Less skin maceration and less new oak
Where is Rueda located?
-East of Toro and west of Ribera del Duero
How many ha of vine plantings does Rueda have?
13000 ha
What happened in the 1970s in Rueda?
-Pioneer from Marques de Riscal from Rioja started planting verdejo here, more producers followed
What is the climate of Rueda? what can be a problem?
-Continental with hot dry symmers and cold winters
-late frosts -> need hardy variety
What about the rainfall in Rueda and altitude?
-Low rainfall (420 mm)
-high altitude, 700-800 metres -> cool nights to retain acidity
What is the soil type of Rueda? Explain
-limestone with a sandy,clay or stony top soils
-free draining, low organic matter = low vigour
-sandy areas: no phylloxera, ungrafted vines = high quality fruit
Which trellising system is commonly used nowadays in Rueda, why?
-VSP trellising
-to allow machine harvest at night
Where is Verdejo resistant to?
-Drought, convenient in an area with high summer temperatures
What about the budding and ripening of Verdejo
-early to mid ripening and budding, frost can be a problem
What is the style of an inexpensive Verdejo?
-medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol, apple pear, white peach, fennel and some bitterness of almond
-quite aromatic, Sauvignon Blanc alike
What is the style of a very good Verdejo?
-More herbal characteristics
-concentrated fruit, can have lees ageing barrel fermentation or maturation
-often older vines on sandy soils on altitudes
Which styles of wine are allowed to be produced in Rueda?
-White (most common). red and rosé
If the label stated rueda, how much % of verdejo must it contain? and when labelled as Rueda Verdejo/Sauvignon Blanc?
-rueda = 50% Verdejo
-With the grape variety: at least 85%
What is Rueda Dorado?
Oxidatively aged, can be made from any grape
Which winemaking techniques are used to make an inexpensive Verdejo?
-Stainless steel fermentation at cool temperatures
-cultured yeast for reliability
-MLC avoided
-bottled in spring following harvest
Which winemaking techniques can be used to make a mid priced verdejo?
-Lees ageing for a few months up to a year to add body and texture
Which winemaking techniques can be used to make top Rueda?
-Oak used to add body and texture and to derive aromas from oak
-no mlc, to keep acidity
What is the climate of Toro? What about rainfall?
-continental, spring frosts can be a problem
-low rainfall (380 mm) one of lowest in castilla y leon, irrigation not allowed during growing season
What about altitude in Toro?
-High, 650-825 m, not as high as ribera del duero
What is the soil type of Toro?
-Limestone with sandy clay, still some pre phylloxera vines
Where are the highest altitudes found in Toro?
-To the west -> slower ripening and higher acidity
Why is site selection important in Toro?
To make sure the wines are not too alcoholic, thus cooler sites can be selected (or northerly aspects)
What is the density of Toro?
-Low density and low amount of bunches per vine