Spain Flashcards

Question

Name key producers in Ribera del Duero DO

Answer 1

* Vega Sicilia & Tempos Vega Sicilia * Pesquera * Dominio de Pingus * Bodegas Aalto

Answer 2

* Avg annual sales 600K to 700K hL * 2019 ~20% exported, with main markets by volume Switzerland, Mexico, USA, Germany, China

Answer 3

* Production is almost 100% white wines * Spurred by investment from Marqués de Riscal (Rioja) in Verdejo as varietal wine to meet consumer demand for fresh fruity whites if handled protectively and made reductively (temp controlled stainless steel) * Other producers followed this lead, making the DO synonymous with this wine style

Answer 4

* Similar climate to Toro & Ribera del Duero (cont'l, with hot/dry summers and cold winters, low rainfall) * Vineyards at 700-800 m means cool nights retain acidity * Bedrock is limestone w/sandy clay sublayer and topsoil of stone or sand, free draining and low in nutrients which controls vigour

Answer 5

* Verdejo is key variety; Sauvignon Blanc is 2nd * Drought tolerant, well-suited to area b/c hot/dry/low rainfall * Wines have med/med+ acidity, apple/pear/peach with herbal/fennel note, slight phenolic bitterness on finish * New vineyards trellised w/VSP * Harvesting at night desirable and possible w/VSP. * 10% of the planted area is old bush vines, kept for quality of fruit

Answer 6

Mostly white (Verdejo); some red & rosé but stiff competition from Ribera del Duero and Toro _Inexpensive_: Made protectively (cool ferm, stainless steel vessels), cultured yeast for reliability and fruity flavors; bottled for early drinking; acceptable to good quality _Mid-priced_: Usually some lees ageing (few months to 1 year) with stirring for body & texture; good quality. * at high end of this range, some fermentation and/or maturation in oak for aromatic complexity, body, texture -MLC typically avoided to retain acidity -Varietal label required min 85% * 100% Verdejo or Sauv Blanc is common -Small amount of red from Tempranillo but competition from Toro and Ribera del Duero reds is high

Answer 7

* Ossian * Bodega Belandrade y Lurton

Answer 8

* Northern part of meseta, protected from Atlantic to the north by Cantabrian mountains * Continental climate with hot summers moderated by altitude * Local and international varieties permitted * Allows DO producers to make wines from grapes and/or in styles not allowed in the DO with a GI

Answer 9

* NE of main DO's of Castilla y León and borders Navarra DO on east * 60 km from NW to SE along River Ebro, up to 40 km wide * _Sierra de Cantabria_ range protects from Atlantic to the north * _Sierra de la Demanda_ range protects from warmer centre of the country to the south * Ebro river valley is open to SE, allowing Mediterranean influence * Various tributaries create valleys of varying aspects and soils * Most vyards are in La Rioja; some in Alava and Navarra provinces of Basque Country to north

Answer 10

Rioja Alta * Conti'l w/maritime (Mediterranean) * South of Ebro; vyards near river lower, warmer w/alluvial soils * NW corner is cooler, wetter w/calcareous clay * Southern part at 700 m asl, cool, wet w/some ferrous clay Rioja Alavesa * North of Ebro; cool & wet (similar to NW Rioja Alta) * Vyards at 700 m, calcareous clay soils Rioja Oriental (formerly Baja) * North and South of Ebro, furthest SE * North end low, warmest & driest in Rioja * South end vyards at 500-1000 m, cool like Alta, w/mix of calcareous clay and ferrous clay

Answer 11

* It has made high altitude vyards viable where in past grapes would struggle to ripen * Rioja Oriental has lowest altitude vyards which are most at risk b/c it is already warm and suffers from drought

Answer 12

1. Vintage variation b/c unpredictable influence from Atlantic (cool, wet) and/or Mediterranean (warm, dry); producers blend for consistency year over year or make vintage wines. 2. 64K ha of vyards, growing gradually; annual production is ~3m hL 4. EU funds for restructuring vyards to trellised VSP allowed some mechanization 5. Considerable plantings of old bush vines, some >100 yrs old

Answer 13

* **Tempranillo**: 88% of black planted, helped by being high-yielding and the legalization of irrigation which obviated the need for drought-tolerant Garnacha. Early (temprano) ripener, even in cooler sites w/cool, clay soils. Gives raspberry & black plum fruit w/med levels of tannin and acidity. * **Garnacha**: 2nd-most; suited to warm/dry Rioja Oriental. Gives ripe strawberry, lower tannins, fuller body. * **Graciano**: Late ripening, drought resistant, small-yielding and susceptible to fungal. Gives high acidity and fresh black fruit. * **Mazuelo** (Cariñena): Gives high acidity similar to Graciano. * **Maturana Tinta**: Gives deep purple color, high acidity, fresh cranberry and blackberry.

Answer 14

* **Viura (Macabeo)**: 70% of white planted; late-budding, late-ripening; needs warm/dry sites b/c botrytis prone. Neutral grape; used in range of styles (e.g., high yields made protectively for simple, early; low yields matured in oak for concentrated, complex and ageworthy wines. * **Tempranillo Blanco**: 2nd-most planted; wines have high acidity w/lemon, grapefruit, pineapple flavors. * **Malvasia & Garnacha Blanca**: Blending components, mainly for premium, oak matured wines. * **Verdejo & Sauvignon Blanc**: Single varietal or added to Viura, mainly in inexpensive, unoaked styles.

Answer 15

_Inexpensive_: 1. Made protectively, cool fermentation, neutral vessel, no oak, early bottle and release, usu from high-yielding Viura, a neutral grape, with other varieties blended in. 2. Acceptable to good quality. _Mid-priced and premium_: 1. Classic (oxidative) style: Not much fruit or acidity, complexity from long ageing in oak 2. Modern style: Oak maturation but balanced and fresher; Viura is main grape w/others blended in. 3. Good to very good; some outstanding examples. | Marqués de Murrieta, e.g., releases very old bottlings in classic style

Answer 16

1. Vino de Zona 2. Vino de Municipio 3. Viñedo Singular

Answer 17

* Can name the zone (Alta, Alavesa or Oriental) if vinification, maturation and bottling are done within a single named zone * 15% may come from vineyard outside the zone if it borders named zone with proof of 10 consecutive yrs of sourcing from that vinyard

Answer 18

* Can name a single municipality (village or group of villages that comprise the municipality) if all production within a winery producer owns in that municipality * 15% may come from municipality that borders named municipality w/proof of min 10 yrs sourced

Answer 19

* Can name a single vineyard if all grapes are from vineyards or estates that make up a formal Viñedo Singular, and all production is within the same winery. * Producer must have owned vyard min 10 yrs; vyard must be min 35 yrs old & must adhere to max yield reqmts. * Must be hand harvested and Rx sustainable and adhere to restrictions on pruning. * Checks on traceability are required and tasting panel must authorise.

Answer 20

Ageing regulations led to a branding hierarchy based on them and therefore impact styles available on the market. But practices in the vineyard & winery that contribute to style, quality & price are not stipulated so ageing per se is not an indicator of style, quality & price. **Classic/Old Style**: Focus on long American-oak ageing vs grape quality and concentration/extraction to produce complex wines of dried fruit, mushroom, cured meats, vanilla, dill and coconut **Modern Style**: Low yields, selected parcels to make ripe fruited, concentrated, structured wines aged in new French oak, no ageing category on label (vinos de autor). Today, most wines fall somewhere between these 2 styles with both now highlighting characteristics and quality of grapes * Vineyard: Site selection, canopy magmt, harvest dates * Winery: Gentle extraction, choice of size/type of fermentation and maturation vessels, length of maturation, type of oak

Answer 21

* Blending necessitated by structure of the industry (small growers across the DOCa selling to co-ops * Large producers especially must blend for volume, consistency, etc. * Blending across zones is desirable to create certain styles, quality, e.g., Garnacha, best is from Oriental bc well-suited, best Tempranillo from Alta & Alavesa =>very good/outstanding examples require some blending. * HOWEVER many producers make single-varietal (Tempranillo) and single vineyard wines & new regs allow vineyard, villlage or zone to appear on label.

Answer 22

**Red Wines** Crianza: 24 total; 12 barrel; 0 bottle Reserva: 36 total; 12 barrel; 6 bottle Gran Reserva: 60 total; 24 barrel; 24 bottle **White Wines** Crianza: 24 total from 1st Oct of harvest yearl; 6 barrel Reserva: 24 total; 6 barrel Gran Reserva: 48 total; 6 barrel | Maturation of all wines in 225 L barrique only

Answer 23

**Baja Montaña, Valdizarbe & Tierra Estella** run east to west and are cooler & wetter b/c Atlantic to NW **Ribera Alta** in the middle of the region and **Ribera Baja** in the south are progressively warmer, drier and flatter

Answer 24

* Traditionally, Garnacha (from old bush vine plantings) * In the 1970's, Tempranillo became the focus and is now the MPV * Since 1980's, Consejo Regulador permitted international varieties * Chardonnay is MPV white * Diversity may or may not be a benefit to the DO; there is no focus on a signature grape, e.g., perhaps Garnacha b/c old bush vines = highest quality.

Answer 25

1. Cariñena 2. Campo de Borja 3. Calatayud 4. Somontano | Somontano only is in NE bordering Catalunya w/very different climate

Answer 26

**Growing Environment** * Inland, so warm cont'l climates w/450-500mm max rainfall * Vyards on high plateaus & slopes to moderate hot summers. Cierzo wind from north helps moderate and slow ripening **Grape Growing** * Garnacha is MPV * Lack of rain, rocky soils (free drainin) and dry weather so low density bush vine plantings and low disease pressure but spring frost risk **Winemaking** * Small holdings, low # wineries; focus on high volume, inexpensive reds for early drinking w/grapes fermented at moderate temp in stainless steel & bottled after. * Handful of quality-focused wineries showcase quality of fruit (Garnacha), limited oak in larger (500+ L) barrels.

Answer 27

**Growing Environment** * At foot of Pyrenees; warm cont'l climate w/slightly more rain that the 3 C's throughout the year * Plantings at 350-650m moderate and give high diurnal. Cold breezes off Pyrenees also moderate, slow growing **Grape Growing** * Wide variety permitted with Cab Sauv & Chardonnay MPV's, along with Gewürztraminer **Winemaking** * External investment has been important * Majority of wines are mid-priced, good to very good examples but * Stiff competition around the world from wines of same varieties

Answer 28

1. Catalunya DO 2. Penedés DO 3. Priorat DOQ 4. Monsant DO 5. Costers de Segre DO

Answer 29

**Growing Environment** * Warm Mediterranean climate, divided into 3 climatic and topographic subzones allowing wide range of varities * Rainfall ~500mm, driest in summer; irrigation allowed if hydric stress * Soils loamy w/calcareous clay, store water * Largest vyards are VSP trellised for mechanization **Grape Growing** * Xarel.lo, Macabeo, Parellada MPV of either color w/sizable plantings of Chardonnay and smaller amounts of other white varieties, e.g., Moscatel * Merlot is MPV black, then Cab Sauv, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Syrah, then other permittted varieties

Answer 30

**Penedés Maritim** - Between sea and coastal range; warm climate w/out extremes. Source for full-bodied reds from late ripeners like Monastrell. **Penedés Central** - Between coastal range and inland mountains. Vyards at 500m so some cooling. Xarel-lo, Macabeo & Parellada along w/Merlot, Cab Sauv, Tempranillo & Chardonnay **Penedés Superior** - In the inland mountains at 500-800m where altitude provides high diurnal but spring frost is risk. - Cool, therefore white e.g. Chard and Sauv Blanc, Riesling & Gewürz can ripen while retaining acidity. Pinot Noir also.

Answer 31

* Miguel Torres (Dijon-educated) led modernisation (temp controlled st steel fermentation) in 60's & 70's * DO gained reputation for clean, fruity, aromatic white wines and fruity, early-drinking reds. * Premium wines incl Chardonnay usu see some oak * Majority are inexpensive/mid, good to very good

Answer 32

* More precise zoning, with 10 subzones based on climate, culture; can label if 100% grapes from the subzone and organically grown * 30% are exported w/Germany, Canada, Switzerland, China & US largest markets in that order * 90% of domestic sales are in Catalunya, with Barcelona nearby providing consumers and wine tourists.

Answer 33

* Warm continental climate, protected from north cold winds by _Serra de Montsant_ and from Mediterranean to the south by _Serra de Llaberia_. High diurnal but spring frost risk. * Rain is 500-600mm, winter/spring storms, dry summers. Irrigation only for establishing new vyards. * _River Siurana_ runs through valleys and w/tributaries a broad range of altitudes (100-750m) and aspects. * Many vyards on _slopes (costers)_ 5-60% grade with narrow terraces to aid water capture & prevent erosion; mechanization not typically possible. * Soil mainly _llicorella_, dark red/black slate w/mica quartz that fractures vertically (color absorbs heat; mica reflects light & heat; vertical fracture allows root penetration).

Answer 34

* Old vyards planted to bush vines at low density; newer VSP trellised if possible but high density plantings are rare * Average yields only _5-6 hL/ha; maximum yield is 36 hL/ha_; with big impact on cost of production and price (along w/no mechanization, distance from major city) * Garnacha & Cariñena are MPV's, 66% of black; both drought and heat tolerant, especially Cariñena. Merlot & Syrah sometimes used but fading out. * Garnacha Blanca & Macabeo are MPV white, 6% of plantings.

Answer 35

* Varies from trad'l, old basket presses and large oak fermentation vats to modern w/st steel and optical sorting. * Cultured yeasts often used for speed & reliability b/c high potential alcohol (14..5% common); ambient yeasts take many weeks and could lead to stuck fermentation. * Maturation typically in oak, French, 1-2 years. * Quality focus is fresh fruit character and acidity * Very good to outstanding wines have concentrated, ripe (not jammy) fruit blanced by high alcohol and med+ acidity.

Answer 36

1. **Vi de Vila** - grapes from one of the 12 subzones. Name of subzone and "Vi de Vila" appear on label. 2. **Vi de Paratge** - grapes from one named site (lieu dit). There are 459 paratges noted for microclimate, terrain and geology. 3. **Vinya Classificada** - wine from single vineyard of particular merit within a paratge, similar to a cru. 4. **Gran Vinya Classificada** - wine from single vineyard of exceptional merit within a paratge, similar to a grand cru. For all 4, producers must own vyard or have rented for min 7 years and follow specific requirements for each, e.g., % of Garnacha and Cariñena in the blend, min vine age, maximum yields, traceability for min 5 years (Classificada categories). "Old vines" only used if min 75 years old or planted prior to 1945.

Answer 37

* Forms almost a complete ring around Priorat DOQ w/most vyards in the south where land flattens to Ebro river valley * More Mediterranean influence than Priorat b/c closer to coast w/warm & dry summers, rain in winter & spring. Vyards in north at 300-700m, generally cooler. * Mixture of soils; some llicorella south; north and east more limestone. Generally more fertile than Priorat, so higher yields. * Vyards easier to work than Priorat b/c less extreme topography esp to south; some terraces but VSP trellising common allowing mechanization. Some bush vine plantings.

Answer 38

* Black grapes dominate w/66% Garnacha & Cariñena similar to Priorat but unlike Priorat, Tempranillo is next MPV; also international varieties. * Wines are mostly blends and single varietal reds w/1-2 years in American and/or French oak. * Styles depend on varieties, area of growth/production and producer though generally they're made in the south, ripe & fruity, full body, high alcohol. Grapes from cooler north used for fresh fruit & acidity. * Generally, good to very good (mid-priced) with premium/super premium examples. | * Small amount of white, Garnacha Blanca & Macabeo as in Priorat.

Answer 39

* Furthest north in Catalunya, inland far from coast, continental climate and low rainfall ~400mm * Region was developed over decades and planted by Manuel Raventós who improved the saline soils (sandy, free-draining) and installed irrigation systems to mitigate cold and heat * Altitudes 200-700m, highest sites good for grapes for Cava, early ripening white & black for still w/wide variety of local and int'l permitted. * Wines generally fresh & fruity, early drinking style, some with oak (French or American) ageing but trend is to use less. They are mid-priced w/some premium examples. * 4000 ha of plantings but Raimat owns 1/3 of the land. * 40+% of wineries adhere to sustainability program.

Answer 40

Valencia 1. Valencia DO 2. Utiel-Requena DO 3. Alicante DO Murcia 4. Jumilla DO 5. Yecla DO

Answer 41

* Warm Mediterranean climate, cooling from altitude or proximity to coast. Rainfall is low at 450mm so irrigation widely used. * **Alto Turia** subzone is in southern foothills of Sistema Ibérico; plantings at 700-1100m so almost exclusively _white wines, notably Moscatel and Merseguera_. * **Valentino** subzone is 200-650m, warmer than Alto Turia, cooled by sea breezes. Has diverse range of _local & int'l varieties for red, rosé & white wines_. * **Clariano** subzone similar to Valentino but further south. * **Moscatel** subzone, inland from Valentino produces sweet wine _Moscatel de Valencia_ and vino de licor. * Marjority of wines made in fresh, fruity, early-drinking style by co-ops, acceptable to good and inexpensive. Some producers making good/very good at mid-price, working with local varieties to differentiate in markets.

Answer 42

* Inland, northern Valencia w/conti'l climate; average altitude 750m gives cool nights but spring frost is risk; rainfall low at 450mm. * 87% planted to black, with **Bobal** MPV (70% of plantings), which is well-suited to the region b/c mid-late budding, drought tolerant, heat tolerant, retains acidity (but can ripen unevenly giving firm, grippy tannins). * Bobal is vigorous; vines kept in balance produce grapes for high quality wines. The deep color makes Bobal a good, cheap blending partner for wines lacking concentration. * Bobal's fruitiness & high acidity were prized for rosé wines but now mostly used for reds. * Range of styles. Light bodied, med tannin made by carbonic for early drinking to full bodied, concentrated, med+ tannins, ripe blackberry/black cherry & chocolate.

Answer 43

* Non-contiguous; smallest & most southerly DO in Valencia w/Mediterranean climate - hot summers, cold winters, extremely dry - avg 250mm/year. * **Vinalopó** **subzone** is centre of production, from coast to vyards at 500m near Sierra de Salinas. Main grape is _Monastrell_. * **Marina Alta** **subzone** to NE has humid breezes, 500mm rain/year. Main grape is _Moscatel_. * **Monastrell** is well-suited hot, dry climate: late ripening, drought tolerant, retains acidity. It is _75% of plantings in the DO_, mainly to low density bush vines.

Answer 44

* Red wine labeled Alicante DO must have min **80% Monastrell**; w/Alicante Bouschet, Garnacha, Bobal typically added. * General style is full-bodied, dry w/high alcohol, high tannins and ripe black fruit. Maturation w/_American_ oak is common. Some producers focus on fresher fruit and medium alcohol. Wines are good to very good, mid-premium priced. * **Fondillón** is historic, oxidized style: Med sweet w/max 40 g/L rs from late harvested Monastrell (no rain risk), min 16% alcohol and no fortification allowed. Matured min 10 years in oak, trad'ly large, 1200 L. Añada is single year; more typically wines are matured in a solera system.

Answer 45

* Inland region of flat plains and wide valleys w/warm cont'l climate; altitudes 400-800m give cooling & large diurnal in the highest sites; 25K ha plantings. * Rainfall very low, 250-300mm but soil is sand over limestone which retains water sufficient for grape growing; many vyards are dry farmed b/c no irrigation. * **Monastrell is MPV, 80% of plantings** (drought & heat tolerant; late ripening, retains acidity). * Many vyards of Monastrell were replanted w/better suited, higher quality clones after phylloxera in late 80's & w/better vyard mgmt wines steadily improving. Many old vines still exist & produce low yields of high quality fruit.

Answer 46

* Red wines from Monastrell are full-bodied, high alcohol, ripe flavors of black fruit (cherry, berry) & spice from oak, with very good examples ripe, concentrated fruit is balanced by med+ acidity * 2000 growers, 40 wineries including co-ops. * Most wine is high volume, inexpensive tho' of better quality than past decades but some producers make very good examples at premium prices (Bodegas El Nido, Casa Castilla e.g.). * Most wines from the DO are sold on export markets.

Answer 47

* Between Jumilla and Alicante; small area 6K ha under vine * Climate similar to Jumilla with more Mediterranean influence; altitude also moderates (vyards at 500-900m). * Low rainfall (300 mm); sand & limestone soils retain water * Monastrell MPV, style similar to Jumilla * Bulk and bottled wines w/1 co-op making 60% of DO's output. * 95% is exported

Answer 48

1. La Mancha DO 2. Valdepeñas DO 3. Vinos de Pago 4. Castilla VT

Answer 49

* Largest DO in Spain (158K ha), landlocked, on big flat meseta plain, 500-700m asl w/extreme continental climate. * Low rainfall 300-400mm but limestone & chalk soils help retain water; drip irrigation common; 40% of vyards irrigated. * Low planting densities: Bush trained, dry farmed vines 1K/ha; trellised irrigated vines 3K/ha. * **Airén** MPV (neutral white grape for some early drinking wine but most used for Brandy de Jerez). **Cencibel/Tempranillo** MPV black - fruity style, short time in oak (some aged examples) * Co-ops dominate; e.g., Virgen de las Viñas is largest in the DO and Spain. * Wines sold bulk and bottled, 40% exported (China, Germany, Russia, Netherlands in order)

Answer 50

* South of La Mancha, similar climate * Known for Cencibel/Tempranillo w/ripe red fruit, soft tannins, med acidity, oak spice; good to very good, inexpensive to mid-price.

Answer 51

* 9 of Spain's 18 VP's in this region. * A VP is a classification applied to single vineyards or estates with unique characteristics * 1st and best-known is Dominio de Valdepusa, making wines from Cab Sauv, Syrah & Petit Verdot.

Answer 52

* Split east to west by Cantabrian cordillera with Rioja Alavesa in the sheltered region to the south and Txakoli DO's to the north. * These DO's, unprotected, have a moderate, maritime climate with high (up to 1600 mm) rainfall making canopy mgmt crucial to avoid fungal disease. * **Hondarrabi Zuri** is main grape (white). * Style: Fresh, early drinking made by cool fermentation in st steel, bottled and released a few months later. Wines have high acidity, med(-) body, low alcohol, apple/pear/lemon and sometime slight spritz. Also some makers use lees, oak or bottle ageing for more textured, complex versions.

Answer 53

* Not a DO; mountain range west of Madrid * Inexpensive, high volume production traditionally w/new focus on quality vs quantity. * Mainly **old vine Garnacha wines**, from vines at 600-1200m for cooling, high diurnal. * Style is **lighter than Aragonese versions**, lighter tannin, med+ acidity and fresh strawberry, cherry fruit, made in low-intervention manner. Alcohol can be high b/c sunny days. * **Albillo Real** is MPV white, made into full-bodied wines, citrus/floral, med/med+ acidity.

Answer 54

Balearics: * Manto Negro (light reds); & Callet (medium reds) Las Canarias * 28 N, tropical, hot, humid so vyards at 1500 m for cooling, high diurnal. Rugged so no mechanization but range of altitudes, aspects. No phylloxera. * Each island has own DO; Tenerife has 5 DO's. * MPV's: Listán Negro (aka País or Mission); Malvasía, Listán Blanco (aka Palomino).