Spain Flashcards
When does viticulture date back to in Spain?
Over 5000 years ago.
Who founded Cadiz? When? Why was it significant?
The sea-faring phoenicians, around 1100 BCE. Their wine-making expertise meant the port quickly became important for trading wine. Evidence of their winemaking has been found nearby, in the form of hollowed out stone lagares.
What was the first influence that adapted the Phoenicians winemaking? What did they achieve?
Successive invading forces all left their mark on winemaking in the region. Firstly, the Carthaginians brought improved techniques, and then the Romans, after ‘pacifying’ the peninsula, brought stability and a huge increase in production volumes, most being exported all across their empire.
Who invaded after the fall of the Roman empire?
Barbarians from Northern Europe, followed by the Moors in 711, who didn’t drink wine themselves, but tolerated grape growing, winemaking and consumption by others.
When did Christians take control?
After the Moors. It was a gradual overthrow by the Christians, broadly from the north to the south of Spain over several centuries.
They restored wine production with evidence of exports out of Bilbao to several English posts during the 13th century.
What factors put limitations on the Spanish wine trade historically, and why were they able to keep a level of consistency? What were key wine styles at this time?
Exports always depended on Spain maintaining good relations with other countries, but numerous wars over the centuries always meant for some commercial turbulence.
It was shielded by this with its newly founded colonies in the Americas.
Key exports were fortified wines, eg, sherries from Jerez but also Fondillón, a fortified Monastrell from Alicante, and the raisined wines from Malaga.
What marked the progression of non fortified wines? Why did this have a slow uptake?
A style that hadn’t really progressed since Roman times, and although Rioja had established itself as a leading wine region, quality was not particularly high and little was exported.
In the late 18th century, a Canon in holy order Manuel Quintano y Quintano, who’s family produced wines, travelled to Bordeaux, bringing back not only expertise in winemaking and cooperage, but also some oak barriques.
Very few followed as it was ruled there should be no price differences between the wines from Rioja. As these better practices and oak barrels were expensive, it was a less profitable venture.
What was an indirect result of the Spanish civil wars for winemaking?
During the mid 19th century, while disputing succession to the Spanish throne, both Luciano de Murrieta (later Marqués de Murrieta) and Marqués de Riscal sought exile in Bordeaux, returning only when safe to put their newly found expertise into practice, including maturation in barriques.
The quality of these wines eventually convinced the Spanish government that these techniques were the way forward.
What event really accelerated Spanish production?
Phylloxera. After the civil war the louse arrived in France. The wines of Rioja, due to their style and closeness to the French border, we’re a suitable replacement and, to satisfy this sudden demand, many new wineries were founded, most particularly around the railway station in Haro, so wine could easily be shipped in bulk to France.
What happened to Spanish production and demand in the early 20th century? What was the result of this?
Phylloxera reach Spain, and although the cause and cure were known, it led to a substantial reduction in production.
However the commercial impact was tempered by a drop in demand: France’s vineyards were recovering and Spain had lost its overseas colonies, so both export markets had shrunk.
The human cost was immense. Massive unemployment caused massive poverty and significant emigration from all parts of Spain. Vineyards were planted all across the country, but many indigenous varieties were virtually now extinct.
What key foundings took place in the early 20th century?
In 1907 the Rioja Wine Exporters’ Syndicate was founded in 1907 to guarantee the authenticity of Riojas wine in export markets.
In 1926, Rioja became the first Spanish wine region to establish a Consejo Regulador.
Why was Spanish production hampered in the 20th century?
The civil was of 1936 to 1939 left the country under under a dictatorship for nearly 40 years.
The economy was devastated firstly through the internal impact of the civil war, then the loss of export markets during WW2, and then the economic isolation of General Franco’s government.
What was the main producer type in the 20th century?
Co-operatives that mainly produced high volume inexpensive wines.
Which prolific winemaker returned to Spain in the 1960s? What reforms did he bring?
Contrary to most winemakers who had no experience of the wider wine world, Miguel Torres of the eponymous winery studied winemaking in France and, on returning to the family wine business in Penedès, was permitted to put his learning into practice:
French and German varieties were planted, vineyards were trellised, temp controlled stainless steel tanks were installed and a winery laboratory was established.
The resulting wines showed what different styles were achievable in Spain and many others followed suit.
What caused Spanish production to reach the levels known today?
From the 1970s Spain returned to a constitutional monarchy and a democratic rule, which has led to greater economic freedom.
Spains accession to the EU in 1986 brought further investment in wine production. Modernisation swept the country, with widespread investment in temp controlled steel, so the quality level of basic wines has risen.
In 1996, the legislation of irrigation meant more vineyards across a greater number of regions could produce a viable crop, and caused production levels to multiply.
