Spain Flashcards

1
Q

Important dates in Spain wine history:

A

Early 1960s - Miguel Torres returned from studying wine in France; implemented methods
1986 - Spain’s accession to EU
1996 - Irrigation legalized - production significantly increased

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2
Q

General Spain climate:

A

Warm
NW - maritime, high rainfall
SE - Mediterranean
Meseta (Central) - continental

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3
Q

Global contribution:

A

Largest vineyard plantings globally - almost 1mil ha under production
3rd largest producing country by volume
Largest exporter by volume
39mil hL/year

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4
Q

Vineyard management in Spain:

A

Low density plantings
Bush vines + old bush vines common
Low rainfall - reduce competition
Irrigation controlled by Consejo Regulador
Mildew, spring frost, European grapevine moth issues
Organic practices common, certifications uncommon
Mostly hand harvesting

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5
Q

Primary grapes in Spain:

A

Airen
Tempranillo
Bobal
Garnacha Tinta
Macabeo
Monastrell

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6
Q

Describe Airen:

A

Inexpensive, neutral whites from Castilla-La Mancha
Most of production goes to Brandy de Jerez

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7
Q

Describe Tempranillo:

A

Medium/high yields
Early ripening

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8
Q

National legislation for aging whites and reds?

A

Oak must be 330L or less
Reds:
Generic - none
Crianza - 24 total, 6 oak
Reserva - 36 total, 12 oak
Gran Reserva - 60 total, 18 oak
White/rose:
Generic - none
Crianza - 18 total, 6 oak
Reserva - 24 total, 6 oak
Gran Reserva - 48 total, 6 oak

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9
Q

What is roble?

A

“Oak”
Red wines aged in oak for an unspecified time - unclassified

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10
Q

DO’s?

A

70 total
Make up vast majority of vineyards

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11
Q

DOCa/DOQ’s?

A

Rioja and Priorat are the only ones
Must be an established DO for min. 10 years
Bottled on estate
Pass tasting assessment

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12
Q

VP’s?

A

VIno de Pago
A small number of single estates with high reputations
Mostly in Castilla-La Mancha
May use only their own grapes, vinified/matured on estate

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13
Q

An association of prestigious estates in Spain?

A

Grandes Pagos de Espana

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14
Q

VT’s?

A

Vino de la Tierra
PGI wines
40 VT’s
Largest is Castilla

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15
Q

What does the Consejo Regulador:

A

Max yields
Grape varieties
Irrigation/vineyard practices
Aging requirements
Packaging regulations

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16
Q

Wine business in Spain:

A

Co-ops dominate
Low domestic consumption
Bulk wine 56% of exports
France, Germany, UK, USA, China
Foods and Wines from Spain - promotional body

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17
Q

DO’s of Galicia and their key varietal:

A

Rias Biaxes (Albarino)
Valdeorras (Godello)
Ribeiro (Treixadura)
Ribeira Sacra (Mencia)
Monterrei (Mencia + Godello)

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18
Q

Describe Rias Biaxas:

A

High rainfall, maritime climate
Sand/granite free-draining soils
95%+ Albarino
5 subzones: O Rosal, Val do Saines, etc.
Pergola trellising (Parral)
25% Export (US biggest)

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19
Q

Describe Albarino:

A

Early/mid ripening
Thick skins
High acid
Med-/Med body
Med alcohol
Lemon, grapefruit, peach, floral

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20
Q

Winemaking for Rias Biaxas:

A

Protective - retain fruit
Stainless steel, cool fermentation
Partial malolactic in cool years - not to the point of buttery
Stored on lees but not stirred

21
Q

Describe Castilla y Leon and name DOs:

A

Continental climate
Bierzo
Toro
Ribera del Duero
Rueda DO

22
Q

Describe Bierzo:

A

Adequate rainfall
75% Mencia of plantings; 2% Alicante Boushet, then Godello and whites
Mencia min. 70% of blend but often 100%

23
Q

Describe Mencia:

A

Early/mid ripening
Med+/high acid
Quickly accumulates sugar
Range of styles
Young wines often (semi)carbonic and unoaked

24
Q

Describe Toro:

A

Continental
TInta de Toro primary varietal (possibly related to Tempranillo)
Garnacha, Malvasia, Verdejo
Low rainfall, irrigation not permitted after June
Bush vines, ungrafted vines
Sandy soils

25
Q

Describe Ribera del Duero:

A

Vega Sicilia was first winery
Continental
Low rainfall
Frost issues in spring and autumn
Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) is primary grape - min 75% of blend
White wines only allowed since 2019
20% export

26
Q

Describe Verdejo:

A

Drought tolerant
Med/Med+ acid
Med alc
Apple, pear, peach, herbal/fennel, bitterness

27
Q

Describe Rueda:

A

Whites based on Verdejo and Sauv Blanc
Hot and dry
Limestone - free draining, poor nutrients
Production quadrupled from 2000-2019
13% export

28
Q

Rioja Topography?

A

River Ebro
Sierra de Cantabria - protects from the North
Sierra de la Demanda - protects from South

29
Q

Sub-regions of Rioja:

A

Rioja Alta: Largest; south of Ebro; continental with some maritme; alluvial/clay

Rioja Alavesa: Smallest; north of Ebro, cool and wet; calcareous clay

Rioja Oriental: Large; East of Logrono, N+S of Ebro; clay; at risk for climate change due to low altitude

30
Q

Grape varietals in Rioja:

A

Tempranillo
Garnacha
Graciano
Mazuelo (Carinena)
Maturana Tinta (Trousseau)
Cab Sauv

Viura (Macabeo)
Tempranillo Blanco
Malvasia
Garnacha Blanca
Verdejo
Sauvignon Blanc

31
Q

Describe Viura:

A

Late budding
Late ripening
Susceptible to botrytis
Neutral

32
Q

Oak use in Rioja:

A

Traditionally American
French now more common
Only 225L barrels can be used for Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva

33
Q

Describe white Rioja profile:

A

Med+ body
Med+ acid
Citrus fruit
Smoky, nutty from oak
Castillo Ygay: oxidative style with intense, complex tertiary of nuts, honey, and dried fruits with high acid

34
Q

Rioja wine labelings:

A

Vino de Zona (85% from one zone)
Vino de Municipio (85% from one village/group of villages listed)
Vinedo Singular (single vineyard owned min 10 yrs); hand harvested and sustainable

All must be vinified/aged/bottled in area listed

35
Q

Changes to aging requirements in Rioja:

A

Crianza red - 12mo in oak
Gran Reserva red - 60 mo total
Crianza white - 24mo total

36
Q

Rioja wine business?

A

Small vineyard plots - Co-ops dominate
Average bottle price substantially higher than most DO
Sales increasing
37% export - UK, Germany, US

37
Q

Describe Navarra:

A

5 sub-regions

Tempranillo (main)
Garnacha
Cab Sauv
Merlot

Chardonnay (main)

38
Q

Regions of Aragon?

A

Carinena
Campo de Borja
Calatayud
Somontano

39
Q

Primary wines of Aragon:

A

Mainly red wines
Old vine Garnacha common
Somontano: Cab, Chard, and Gewurz

40
Q

Describe Penedes:

A

DO within Catalunya
Mostly known for Cava grapes
Three climatic zones: Penedes Maritim, Penedes Central, Penedes Superior
30% export

41
Q

DOQ in Catalunya?

A

Priorat
Promoted from DO to DOQ in 2009

42
Q

Climate and viticulture in Priorat?

A

Warm continental
Moderate rainfall - spring and winter; irrigation for new vineyards and dry years
Hand harvesting
Licorella soils - slate/thin/rocky/low nutrients
Max 39hL/ha

43
Q

Varietals in Priorat:

A

Garnacha
Carinena
Cab Sauv
Syrah
Merlot
Garnacha Blanca + Macabeo = 6%

44
Q

Classifications of Priorat:

A

Vi de Vila - from one of 12 subzones
Vi de Paratge - from a single named site
Vinya Classificada - single vineyard (cru)
Gran Vinya Classificada - single vineyard of exceptional merit (grand cru)

45
Q

Regions in Catalunya:

A

Catalunya DO
Penedes DO
Priorat DQ
Monsant DO
Costers del Segre DO

46
Q

Regions in Valencia, and what are they known for?

A

Valencia DO (Moscatel de Alejandria, Merseguera)
Utiel-Requena DO (Bobal)
Alicante DO (Monastrell)

Bulk wines

47
Q

Main grape of Murcia and regions?

A

Monastrell

Jumilla DO
Yecla DO

48
Q

Regions of Castilla-La Mancha, key varietals, and key climate feature:

A

Extreme continental climate

La Mancha DO (Airen)
Valdepenas DO (Cencibel(Tempranillo))
Vino de Pago (18)
Castilla VP

49
Q

Describe Txakoli:

A

Three DOs in Basque County
High rainfall
Hondarrabi Zuri is main grape
High acid, med- body, low alc, slight spritz
Lemon, apple, pear - fresh