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Wset d3 > Spain > Flashcards

Spain Flashcards

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1
Q

The climate in Spain can be divided into three different climatic zones. What are the three zones and give the climate for each one.

A

North & North West Coast
Moderate maritime
dominated by the Atlantic
The East Coast (Catalunya to Levante)
Warm Mediterranean
with vineyard temperatures often moderated by the sea (breezes) or altitude.
Meseta Central
Hot continental
with very high summer temperatures and little rainfall.

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2
Q

What are the two main climatic challenges throughout most of Spain? (except the moderate maritime in the north and north west)

A

Heat
Lack of water

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3
Q

What are the advantages of the heat and lack of water experienced in Spain?

A

Low fungal disease pressure.

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4
Q

Which method of vine training is common in Spain to deal with the heat and lack of water?

A

Low density bush vines.

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5
Q

How do low density bush vines help vines cope with the heat and lack of water in Spain?

A

Low density means that each vine has less competition for the available water.
Bush vines can provide shading to the grapes from the excessive heat.
This helps prevent the grapes from developing the bitter flavours associated with sunburn & minimises water loss through the grape.

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6
Q

In Spain, where practical and affordable, why are some vines being trained on wires?

A

To facilitate machine harvesting.

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7
Q

Many of Spain’s inexpensive red wines are made without oak, but which winemaking technique is common to enhance the fruity nature of the wines?

A

Semi-carbonic maceration.

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8
Q

Spain’s best red wines are traditionally aged in what type of oak barrel?

A

American oak with a portion of new oak.

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9
Q

What is Spain’s premier black grape, grown throughout the North and central Spain?

A

Tempranillo

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10
Q

Spain’s Tempranillo is a thick-skinned grape (tannins, colour). What is the typical acidity level?

A

Medium

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11
Q

In Spain’s hot continental Meseta Central, what is the risk to Tempranillo if the region does not have cool nights associated with altitude?

A

It can lack acidity.

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12
Q

Tempranillo is often used as a single varietal wine, made with semi-carbonic maceration to produce wines with strawberry flavours. What style is this known as in Spain?

A

Joven

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13
Q

Give four blending partners for Tempranillo that are often used to make concentrated, ageworthy oaked blends.

A

Garnacha Tinta (Grenache)
Graciano
Cariñena/Mazuelo
Cabernet Sauvignon

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14
Q

What is the Spanish name for the French grape Grenache?

A

Garnacha Tinta

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15
Q

What can be said about the alcohol level in Garnacha Tinta (Grenache) wines?

A

High alcohol

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16
Q

Garnacha Tinta (Grenache) is often used to make Spanish Rosado. What is Rosado?

A

Rosé wine

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17
Q

In which region is low yielding, old vine Garnacha Tinta (Grenache) used to make intense, complex, full-bodied reds?

A

Priorat

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18
Q

What is the Spainish name for the French grape Mourvèdre?

A

Monastrell

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19
Q

Why is Monastrell (Mourvèdre) suitable for wine production in Levante’s Yecla & Jumilla?

A

Levante’s warm Mediterranean climate means
Monastrell can reach full ripeness.
Monastrell is drought tolerant.

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20
Q

In which region is Graciano a valued grape but challenging to grow?

A

Rioja

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21
Q

What does Graciano add to blends in Rioja?

A

Concentrated black fruit aromas.
Acidity
Tannins

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22
Q

Southern France’s Carignan grape has two names in Spain. What are they?

A

Cariñena
Mazuelo Rioja

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23
Q

Cariñena / Mazuelo / Carignan gives what to a blend?

A

Acidity
Tannins
Colour
Can lack fruit and finesse

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24
Q

Which two Spanish wines benefit from the acidity, tannin and colour of Cariñena / Mazuelo / Carignan?

A

Rioja
Priorat

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25
Q

Mencía is a Spanish grape variety that prefers a moderate climate. Where would this be in Spain?

A

North and north west Spain has a moderate maritime climate.

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26
Q

Spain’s Mencía grape variety gives wine what level of acidity and flavours?

A

Medium to high acidity.
Fresh fruit, sometimes herbaceous.

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27
Q

What are Spain’s two PDOs (Denominación de Origen Protegida or DOP)? Put them in order of highest to lowest.

A

DOCa (Rioja) / DOQ (Priorat)
DO

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28
Q

Which two regions qualify for Spain’s highest PDO?

A

Priorat DOQ
Rioja DOCa

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29
Q

Why do the terms DOCa and DOQ mean the same thing?

A

Spain’s top PDO (DOP) is known as DOCa. In Priorat, the language is Catalan, and in this language it is known as DOQ.

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30
Q

In Spain, how long does a DO have to exist before being allowed to apply for promotion to DOCa?

A

10 years

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31
Q

In Spain, what does Vino de Pago (VP) mean?

A

A small number of single estates with high reputations.

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32
Q

In Spain, what are PGI wines known as?

A

Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)

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33
Q

What are Spain’s four age categories, from youngest to oldest?

A

Joven
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva

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34
Q

Spain’s age categories often stipulate which two factors?

A

A minimum time in barrel.
A minimum total ageing time.

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35
Q

Give one viticultural and one winemaking technique that most of Spain’s winemakers use to help make fresh, fruity white wines?

A

Harvesting at night.
Fermenting in temperature-controlled stainless steel vessels.

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36
Q

Most of Spain’s producers use stainless steel to ferment their wines, but which white wines, by law, must have some oak influence?

A

Wines labelled as
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva

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37
Q

What techniques are used occasionally in Spain to add texture to a white wine?

A

Oak fermentation & maturation
Lees stirring.

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38
Q

Which Spanish grape variety is susceptible to oxidation and creates wines that are:
Made using protective winemaking.
Light bodied, medium to high acid with flavours of melon and peach
Made with skin contact and barrel fermentation:
Richer fuller style
Often blended with Sauvignon Blanc.

A

Verdejo

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39
Q

Which white grape variety grown in the north west of Spain produces wines with naturally high acidity and citrus, stone fruit aromas?

A

Albariño

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40
Q

Why is Albariño suited to the moderate maritime climate in the north west of Spain?

A

Albariño has thick skins and is resistant to fungal disease associated with the wet maritime climate.

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41
Q

What is Spain’s most planted white grape variety making acceptable dry white wines and used in the production of brandy?

A

Airén

42
Q

Airén can cope with extreme heat and drought. Where is it commonly grown in Spain?

A

La Mancha in Spain’s Meseta Central.

43
Q

In Rioja, which white grape variety is traditionally used to make heavily-oaked white wines, but also in an unoaked style with subtle herb and spice aromas?

A

Viura

44
Q

What is the name for the Viura grape when it is used in Cava?

A

Macabeo

45
Q

Name four international grape varieties commonly grown in Spain, especially in the north east?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay

46
Q

What is the most planted red grape variety across Levante’s Valencia DO, Jumilla DO & Yecla DO?

A

Monastrell / Mourvèdre

47
Q

In Spain’s Upper Ebro (based around the Ebro river) which four regions are defined?

A

Rioja DOCa
Navarra DO
Calatayud DO
Cariñena DO

48
Q

Rioja DOCa has three sub-regions. What are they?

A

Alavesa
Alta
Oriental

49
Q

Which two of Rioja’s sub-regions can be described as being influenced by altitude and Atlantic influence?

A

Alavesa
Alta

The 4A’s can help you remember this
Alavesa & Alta = Altitude & Atlantic

50
Q

Alta & Alavesa are at 500m - 800m altitude because they are located in the foothills of which mountain range?

A

Cantabrian Mountains

51
Q

Rioja Oriental’s climate is different to Alavesa & Alta. What are the differences?

A

Rioja Oriental’s climate is drier (drought issues) with hotter summers and colder winters.

52
Q

Which grape variety prefers the cooler Rioja Alta & Alavesa and which prefers the warmer Rioja Oriental?

A

Rioja Alta & Alavesa
Tempranillo
Rioja Oriental
Garnacha (Grenache)

Garnacha is drought tolerant so suitable for Oriental. Tempranillo is thick-skinned so suitable for wetter Alavesa & Alta; the higher altitude will help with diurnals that help Tempranillo hold on to its acidity.

53
Q

Other than Tempranillo & Garnacha, which two red grape varieties are less widely planted but provide a supporting role in Rioja DOCa?

A

Graciano: Concentrated black fruit, acidity & tannins

Mazuelo: Acidity, tannins, colour & lacks fruit or finesse. Can produce huge yields.

54
Q

Which winemaking technique is common in producing Joven Rioja DOCa, designed for earlier, easy drinking with vibrant red fruit aromas and low levels of tannin?

A

Semi-carbonic maceration.

55
Q

How might a winemaker, making a Rioja destined for long term maturation, create a heavily-extracted wine?

A

Destemming and crushing (not semi carbonic)
Vigorous cap management.
Extended post-fermentation maceration.

56
Q

In Rioja DOCa, what is the traditional source of oak used in barrels?

A

American
Pronounced vanilla

57
Q

Which is the most widely planted white grape variety in Rioja?

A

Viura / Macabeo

58
Q

Traditional white Rioja DOCa is deep golden in colour with nutty flavours. Which winemaking technique has created this style?

A

Deliberate oxidation in American oak barrels.

59
Q

White Rioja is made in three styles. What are they?

A

Deliberate oxidation in American oak.
Barrel-fermented in a less oxidative style.
Minimal contact with oxygen.

60
Q

The climate in Navarra DO is similar to Rioja DOCa next door, but what happens to the climate as you get closer to the foothills of the Pyrenees?

A

It becomes cooler & wetter.

61
Q

What is the most widely planted grape in Navarra DO?

A

Tempranillo

62
Q

What is the main grape variety for rosé wines from Navarra DO and how is it handled?

A

Garnacha
Picked early (higher acidity, lower sugar / alcohol).
Handled protectively.

63
Q

What is the main grape variety grown in the Upper Ebro regions of Cariñena DO & Calatayud DO?

A

Garnacha

64
Q

Which grape variety is also the name of a region in Spain, but, unusually, is not the dominant grape variety in the region?

A

Cariñena

65
Q

What is the climate in Spain’s Cariñena DO & Calatayud DO?

A

Warm continental

66
Q

Higher quality wines from Cariñena DO & Calatayud DO have more intensity and structure than much of the inexpensive, fruity, early drinking style. How is that intensity achieved?

A

Old vines
(Vieilles Vignes in French)

67
Q

Catalunya is the only region in Spain with a generic DO covering the entire region. What is it called?

A

Catalunya DO

68
Q

Which DO is located immediately south west of Barcelona?

A

Penedès

69
Q

Penedès has three distinct climate zones. Where and what are they?

A

Coastal Plain: Warm Mediterranean
Inland valleys: Warm (slightly cooler) Mediterranean
Hills (800m): Moderate Mediterranean

70
Q

In Priorat, what is the climate that gives long summers that are hot and dry with low annual rainfall?

A

The climate is warm Mediterranean (cool nights retain acidity)

71
Q

Which two late ripening grape varieties are well suited to the hot climate in Priorat DOQ?

A

Garnacha
Cariñena

72
Q

What is the name given to the soils of Priorat DOQ?

A

Llicorella

73
Q

Describe Llicorella soils and how they aid the ripening in Priorat?

A

Red slate with small particles of mica.
Mica reflects the sun
The slate conserves heat, warming the vineyard.
Depth of soils hold on to water all through the growing season.

74
Q

Why are Priorat DOQ wines often very low yielding, leading to complex and intense wines?

A

Old vines
Low nutrient Llicorella soils

75
Q

Which three grapes are often used to make Priorat DOQ wines?

A

Garnacha
Cariñena
Cabernet Sauvignon

76
Q

For Priorat DOQ wines, what is the colour, tannin and alcohol of wines with flavours of black fruit and toasty French oak?

A

Deep colour
High tannins
Medium to high alcohol

77
Q

What is the climate in Spain’s Duero Valley?

A

Hot continental (Meseta Central climate)
Short, hot, dry summers & very cold winters.
Cool nights associated with altitude.

78
Q

How does altitude (850m) influence the wines from Ribera del Duero?

A

The altitude gives cool nights which help the grapes to retain acidity and fresh fruit flavours.

79
Q

Is it possible to make white Ribera del Duero DO?

A

Yes, Ribera del Duero DO is for red, white and rosé wines, although most is red.

80
Q

The best wines from Ribera del Duero DO are made exclusively from which grape variety?

A

Tempranillo

81
Q

How do many winemakers in Ribera del Duero DO make wines with concentrated fruit flavours & tannins?

A

Long post-fermentation maceration.
Short ageing in new French oak.

82
Q

Toro DO has a similar climate to Ribera del Duero. What is it?

A

Hot continental (Meseta Central climate)
Short, hot, dry summers & very cold winters.
Cool nights associated with altitude.

83
Q

What is the grape variety that dominates Toro DO wines?

A

Tempranillo

84
Q

Toro DO reds are full-bodied with intense fruit flavours and high alcohol due to what factors?

A

High daytime temperatures.
Sunny conditions.
Low yielding bush vines.

85
Q

Which region in the Duero focuses on white wines?

A

Rueda DO

86
Q

What are the two grape varieties that can be sold as a blend or a single variety in Rueda DO?

A

Verdejo
Sauvignon Blanc

87
Q

A Rueda DO blend must contain at least 50% of which white grape variety?

A

Verdejo

88
Q

Why is the north west of Spain a location for some of the best Spanish white wines?

A

It is cooler and wetter than the rest of Spain.
Cooler regions hold on to their acidity better than hotter regions and acidity is vital for most styles of white.

89
Q

What is the grape variety used in Rías Baixas DO?

A

Albariño

90
Q

Rías Baixas has a moderate maritime cool and damp climate. What viticultural problem does this cause?

A

Mildew & rot

91
Q

In Rías Baixas, how can mildew & rot be managed using vine training?

A

Many vines are trained on pergolas to encourage air circulation.

92
Q

Most Albariño from Rías Baixas is refreshing, unoaked with naturally high acidity and ripe stone fruit flavours. How might a richer style be achieved?

A

Lees stirring
Oak

93
Q

Which DO from Spain’s north west lies in the mountains between Galicia and Meseta Central?

A

Bierzo DO

94
Q

What is the climate for Bierzo DO and its biggest influence?

A

Moderate maritime, with cooling maritime influence.

95
Q

What is the key grape variety for Bierzo DO?

A

Mencía

96
Q

Bierzo DO uses Mencía to produce red wines with naturally high acidity and red fruit aromas (the best with toasty oak), but what vineyard characteristics do the region’s best wines have?

A

Old vines
Steep stony slopes

97
Q

What is the largest DO in Spain?

A

La Mancha DO

98
Q

What is La Mancha DO’s most widely planted grape variety, used to make neutral fresh white wines?

A

Airén

99
Q

In La Mancha DO, which native grape variety are producers being encouraged to plant?

A

Tempranillo known locally as Cencibel

100
Q

La Mancha is the home of many single estate wines with high reputations. What is this special category of wines known as in Spanish law?

A

Vinos de Pago (VP)

101
Q

Valdepeñas DO has a hot continental climate and is similar to La Mancha DO but with a reputation for what vs La Mancha DO?

A

Better quality wines.

102
Q

What is the top white and red grape variety in Valdepeñas DO?

A

White: Airén
Red: Tempranillo known locally as Cencibel

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