SPAIN Flashcards
Spain is (a) in global production behind Italy and France.
a. Third
Spain’s location/Geography
Eastern majority of the Iberian Peninsula, with Portugal on its western border.
Atlantic Ocean on the north and northwest.
Mediterranean Sea to the south and east.
Spain’s Climate?
Cool Mediterranean in the north to arid (乾燥した) warm in the center of the country and to the south.
Spain’s Topography/Aspect?
Very mountainous with an interior, raised plateau called “Maseta”
“Meseta”と呼ばれるスペイン中央部を占める乾燥した広大な台地
Spain’s grape varieties?
Tempranillo is best known variety.
Main 9 regions of Spain
Rias Baixas
Rioja
Ribera del Duero
Rueda
Toro
Piorat
Penedes
Jerez-Xeres-Sherry
Rias Baixas DO
Location, Climate, Grapes, Vinification
Spain’s main region.
Borders Portugal in the northwest corner of Spain.
Called “Green Spain” because of high rainfall which result in lush vegetation.
Humid and maritime due to proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
90% of plantings Albarino.
(must be 100% Albarino if labeled with the grape)
Stainless-steel fermentation
Crisp, dry, aromatic white wine.
Rioja DOCa
Rioja has been producing wines for over 2,000 years.
It’s named after the Oja, a small river from Ebro river.
It was the first region in Spain to be named a DOCa.
Rioja’s location/Geography
Is located in north-central Spain and protected by the Pyrenees Mountains to the northeast and Cantabrian Mountains to the northwest.
Rioja’s Climate
Continental
Mountains create a rain shadow, protecting the region from Atlantic weather.
there are slightly different climates.
Rioja’s three sub-regions?
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Baja (Orintal)
Rioja’s Grapes Varieties
Viura
Tempranillo
Garnacha
Rioja’s Vinification?
Time of oak aging is the primary focus of quality categories.
Traditionally, American oak was used but today produced use French oak as well.
Rioja DOCa aging quality levels?
Crianza
-Total 2 years of aging
Reserva
-3 years, including 1 year in oak.
Grand Reserva
-2 years in oak, 3 years in bottle.
Ribera del Duero DO
Climate, Topography/Aspect, Grape Varieties , Viticulture, and VInification?
Continental with very hot summers and cold winters and extreme diurnal shifts.
On the Maseta at 2,500 feet, highest elevation vineyards in Spain.
Tempranillo (“Tinto Fino”)
The high elevation and intense diurnal shifts allowed the grapes to get very ripe while preserving natural acidity in the hot summer.
Red wine only, with a small production of Rose.
Toro DO
Climate, Grape Varieties, and Vinification.
Continental, with extremely hot, and dry summer.
Tempranillo (Tinto de Toro”)
Toro is known for rich, intense red wines
Rueda DO
Climate, Grape Varieties, Vinification
Continental
Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc
Rueda is best known for crisp, dry white wines.
Penedes DO/ Cava DO
Located in the vicinity of Barcelona, this area is most widely known as Cava, traditional method sparkling wine.
Penedes DO’s location/geography, climate, grape varieties, and vilification?
Environs of Barcelona reaching up into the Pyrenees mountains at the French border.
Mediterranean
Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada
Sparkling wine made by the traditional method.
Priorat DOCa
Is one of two DOCa wines of Spain. (DOQ in Catalan)
A dry rugged area just few miles from Mediterranean Sea but completely isolated and surrounded by mountains.
Hot and dry
Garnacha, Cariñena(Carignan)
Low yield due to the climate
Vines must dig deep for water due to the nature of soil.
Intense, concentrated, dry red wines.
What is “llicorella”?
A black slate and quartzite soil.
In which DO will you find wines made from the albarino grapes?
Rias Baixas DO
What are the two DOCa regions of Spain?
Rioja DOCa
Priorat DOCa
Priorat DOQ produces which of style of wine?
Powerful dry red wine
Which aspect topography affects the climate of Ribera de Duero?
???
Strong diurnal shifts
Walk to hot summer
High elevation of Master
The main white grape variety of Rueda is: ?
Verdejo
Which combination of region and grape variety is not correct?
a. Rioja and Tempranillo
b. Ribera del Duero and Tempranillo
c. Toro and Tempranillo
d. Priorat and Tempranillo
d. Priorat and Tempranillo
Priorat and Garnacha, Cariñena
What does “Gran Reserve” on table of Rioja refer to?
Aging requirements for tine in barrel and bottle.
Least 2 years in oak, 3 years in bottle.
Which white grape variety is the primary focus in DO Terra Alta?
White Grenacha
