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WSET Three > Spain > Flashcards

Spain Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the three climatic zones in spain? Explain them.

A

North-North/West Spain - moderate maritime dominated by Atlantic weather systems. Rainfall is a risk.
East coast from Catalunya in the north to the Levante - warm mediterranean. Moderated by the influence of the sea or altitude. A lot hotter further south.
The Meseta Central - a large platau in the centre of spain cut of by the sea from mountains. Hot continental. LArge diurnal temperature differences.

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2
Q

What are the two biggest challenges to grape growing in Spain and how is this combatted?

A
  1. Lack of water
  2. Heat

Low density, bush trained vines by maximising amount of water and shading the fruit from excessive heat.

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3
Q

Key black varietals and styles in spain.

A

Tempranillo - Premier black grape grown in northern and central spain. medium levels of acidity and needs large diurnal temperature because otherwise can lack acidity.
Garnacha - wine with high alcohol and a tendancy to age quickly. Very important in Priorat - old vines allow for complex, full bodied reds.
Monastrell - thick skinned grape that is drought tolerant but needs sunny conditions to ripen. Deep colour, full bodied, high alcohol, low to medium acid and flavours of ripe black fruit.
Graciano - small quantities used to create concentrated black fruit flavours, acidity and tannins for structure. Cultivated in Rioja.
Carinena (Carignan and Mazuelo in Rioja) - High tannin, high acid, high colour.
Mencia - suits moderate climates with fresh fruit, medium to high acid and slightly herbaacous.

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4
Q

What is a joven wine?

A

Tempranillo with Carbonic maceration. Easy drinking, fresh strawberry scented.

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5
Q

Draw a table for the minimum ageing times and barrel times for reds and whites of spain.

A

Joven - 0 for red and whites
Crianza - 24 total (6 oak) red, 18 total (6 oak) white
Reserva - 36 total (12 oak) red, 24 (6 oak) white
Gren reserva - 60 total (18 oak) red, 48 (6 oak) white

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6
Q

What are spains key white varieties?

A

Verejo - highly susceptible to oxidation and used to make sherry. When protective wine making techniques are used it can be light bodied, medium to high acid, melon and peach flavoured.
Albarino - Thick skinned and able to resist fungal disease which is useful in the damp climate which it is grown. High acid citrus and stone fruit but can be made richer and full bodied.
Airen - most widely planted grape variety. Can make some acceptable dry white, it is used in the production of Brandy de Jerez.
Parellada, Xerel-lo nand Macabeo are planted in Catalunya and used for Cava

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7
Q

What are some common vineyard and wine making techniques uses in white wine making?

A
  1. Harvesting at night and early morning
  2. Fermenting in temperature controlled stainless steel vessels to help delicate fruit aromas.
  3. Use of oak fermentation, lees stirring to enhance body and texture
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8
Q

What are the two DOCa of Spain?

A

Priorat and Rioja

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9
Q

What does Vinos de PAgo mean on a label?

A

This is applied to a small number of estates with high reputations. use of own grapes and vinified and matured on site.

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10
Q

What are some international varieties grown in Spain

A

Cab Sauv, Merlot, SB and Chardonnay

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11
Q

What are the 6 geographical regions of spain?

A
  1. the Upper Ebro
  2. Catalunya
  3. The duero valley
  4. the north west
  5. the levante
  6. Castilla-la-macha
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12
Q

What areas are in the upper ebro and what are their conditions?

A
  1. Rioja - 3 sub regions.
  2. Rioja Alavesa - North bank of the Ebro on the foothills of hthe Cantabrian mountains. Lightest and most finesse.
  3. Rioja alta - largest area to the west of Logrono but west os ebro. Vineyards are paned from 500-800 m altitude and moderated by the atlantic ocean.
    3.Rioja Oriental - Situated to the east of Logrono, mainly south bank. Less maritime with hottest summers and more severe winters
    - Plantings are dominated by black varieties. Temperanillo being the main component of most blends, giving red fruit and medium tannins. (best grown in cooler west)
    Garnacha - adds alcohol and body (best grown in Oriental)
  4. Navarra
    - These vineyards stretch from the northern and eastern borders of Rioja into the foothills of the Pyrenees. Similar to Rioja but cooler and wetter.
    - Tempranillo most common grape. Joven to Grand reserva.
    - Garnacha used for rose, picked earlier when acid levels are higher.
    -small white wine production of Viura, chardonnay and SB
  5. Carinena and Calatayud
    South of Ebro.
    - warm continetal and low rainfall.
    - Garnach, inexpensive fruity wines. higher quality made from old vine Garnach nd Carinena.
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13
Q

What are the different types of red Rioja?

A
  1. Early drinking, carbonic maceration, young with red fruits.
    2, Wines for longterm undergo traditional fermentation.
  2. Vigorous cap management and extended maceration to make deep and full bodied wines. Becoming more trendy now to make elegant wines.
  3. American oak used to be used but now using more french and european to create subte spice.
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14
Q

How many white grape varieties are approved for white rioja?

A

9, Vuira being the most commonly planted.

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15
Q

Explain traditional white riojas compared to modern>

A

Traditional - developed for extended periods in American oak and golden in colour with nutty flavours. Lots of oxygen.
Modern - less contact with oxygen and about preserving the fruit.

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16
Q

What regions lie within Catalunya?

A
  1. Penedes
  2. Prioprat
17
Q

Catalunya is where nearly all __________ is made.

A

Cava

18
Q

Explain the topography of the Penedes.

A
  • Stretch from the southwest of Barcelona into the mediterranen coast up the hills. 3 sections.
    1. Coastal plain - hottest where the climate is mediterranean.
    2. Inland - in the valleys where the climate is slightly cooler.
    3. Up in the hills - where vines are grown up to 800M above sea level. Moderate climate.
  • most plantings are used for Cava.
19
Q

What is Ull de Llebre?

A

Temperanillo

20
Q

Describe the topography of Prioray?

A

-Vineyards lie within hills inland fromthe city of Tarragona.
- Ideal for Garnacha and Carinena.
- best soils consist of red slate with particules of mica that sparkle in the run - helps grapes ripenning
- Bush vines and steep slopes means that mechanisation is almost impossible and vineyards are time consuming.
- low nutrient soils produce very low yields which contributes to complexity and intensity.

21
Q

Characteristics of a red priorat?

A
  • Deeply coloured, high tannin, medium to high alcohol and concentrated black fruit with toasty aromas of french oak.
  • Garnacha and Carinena are core for blend but can have cab sauv.
22
Q

What is ilicorella?

A

A soil type that is found in Priorat. It has tiny particles of Mica that sparkle in the sun and help aid in the ripening of grapes and warmth of the vineyard.

23
Q

What regions lie within the Deuro valley?

A
  1. Ribera del Duero
  2. toro
  3. Rueda
24
Q

Explain the topography and wines of Ribera del Duero.

A

Cut off from any maritime influence by a ring of mountains. Short hot dry summers and cold winters.
The vineyards are siuated on the highest part of the Meseta Central with some vineards planted at over 850 m.
DO for red, white and rose.
Temperanillo is most dominant grape and only variety in most good red wines.

25
Q

Explain the topography and wines of Rueda?

A

Situated between Toro and Ribera del Duero
Ideal continetal climate for Verejo and SB.
Any blended styles must have at least 50% Verejo.

26
Q

Explain the topography and wines of Toro.

A
  • Short, hot dry summers and cold winters.
  • mainly temperanillo - full bodied high alcohol thanks to warm day time temperatures.
  • in joven wines there is a large amount of garnacha
27
Q

What are the regions in the north - west spain?

A
  1. Rias Biaxas
    2.Bierzo
28
Q

Explain the topography and vines of Rias Biaxas.

A
  • Situated on the atlantic coast ithas a moderate damp climate with humidity. Milew and rot are common problems.
  • use the training system of Pergolas to help with air circulation.
  • grape of albarino made in refreshing unoaked style with high acidity and aromas of stonefruit.
  • some red wines but minority concern.
29
Q

Explain the topography and vines of Bierzo.

A
  • Predominately red wine DO that lies in the mountains that marks the border of Galicia and MEseta Central.
  • Key grape is mencia which produces elegant red wines with naturally high acidity and red fruit aromas.
  • best wines come from old vines grown on steep steely slopes.
30
Q

Wha are the regions within the Levante?

A
  1. Valencia
  2. Jumilla and Yecla
31
Q

Explain the wines and topography of Valencia

A

Lots of different red and whites planted here.
Monastrell is most planted red and Muscat is most planted white.
Wines from this area are value for money.

32
Q

Explain the wines and topography of Jumilla and Yelca

A

Located further inland have hot arid climates. Perfect for Monastrell which are youthful and fruity.

33
Q

why is the levante such an important region?

A

trade is centred around the port of valencia which is the distrubution hub from the wines of Levante and La Macha.

34
Q

What are the regions within Castilla-La-Macha?

A
  1. La Macha
  2. Valdepenas
35
Q

What are the wines and topography like in Valdepenas?

A

DO immeditally south of La Mancha and has the same climate. Airen is most widely planted but Tempranillo (cencibel) is the main variety for red wines

36
Q

What are the wines and topography in La MAcha like?

A
  • Largest DO in spain
  • most planted in Airen to make neutral fresh white wine.
  • plantings of Tempranillo are encourged
  • Signficant technology and expertise has ensured that La Macha is now great for inexpensive well made reds.
37
Q

La Macha was where the trend for top quality _____began and has been awarded the appellation name of ________

A

Pagos, Vinos de pagos.

WSET Three (23 decks)

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