Spain Flashcards

Question

Vinos de Madrid DO Subzones

Answer 1

- Arganda - Navalcarnero - San Martín de Valdeiglesias - El Molar

Answer 2

Styles Produced: Blanco: authorized white varieties Rosado: min. 70% authorized red varieties Tinto: min. 85% authorized red varieties plus authorized white grapes Vino clarete: 40% to 60% red grapes plus authorized white grapes; grapes go direct to press except 5 to 10% destemmed grapes which are included in fermentation. Vin Classification: Vino de Villa & Vino de Paraje: 100% must be sourced from one of the designated municipalities, or parcels Viña Clasificada: May be added to a single parcel, or collection of parcels within a Vino de Paraje that has been labelled as such for at least 5 years, and has been approved by a tasting panel. Gran Viña Clasificada: Designation for a wine that has been produced as a Viña Clasificada for at least 5 years, and has been approved by a tasting panel.

Answer 3

The country generally grows warmer toward the south, with the Sistema Central providing a marked shift in temperatures. Exceptions exist, such as the warmer pockets of the Catalan coast and cold, high-elevation sites in Andalucía. Spain experiences seasonality, especially beyond the Mediterranean coastline, with both scorching summers and harsh winters in some regions. Diurnal swings can be wide, particularly at higher elevations. Several wind patterns also affect temperatures. The Poniente blows from the west, bringing cold air from the Atlantic, while the Leveche brings in hot, drying currents from the African desert. Another warm—but humid—wind, the Levante, comes in from the east, funnels through Gibraltar, and can be felt throughout southeast Spain. The northern coast, extending through Galicia and narrowing to its end in Basque Country, encompasses what is often called Green Spain. Rainfall here is the highest in the country, with parts of Galicia receiving more than 2,000 millimeters per year. Precipitation drops dramatically just outside Green Spain’s boundaries, with much of the country receiving less than 500 millimeters annually. Dry-farming remains standard, though irrigation for viticulture was legalized in 1996 in certain circumstances.

Answer 4

Regions: Aragón, Euskadi (Basque Country), Catalunya, Extremadura, La Rioja, Navarra, València Zones: Comtats de Barcelona, Valle del Ebro, Viñedos de Almendralejo, Zona de Levante (Cava de Requena)

Answer 5

- Cava / Cava de Guarda: min. 9 months on the lees from the day of tirage. - Cava de Guarda Superior: min. 18 months on the lees from the day of tirage. (Reserva was previously 15 months, prior to the 2021 harvest) - Reserva: 18 months on the lees from the day of tirage. (previously 15 months, prior to the 2021 harvest) - Gran Reserva: min. 30 months on the lees from the day of tirage (Brut, Extra Brut, and Brut Nature only) - Cava de Paraje Calificado (Cava de Paratge Qualificat): min. 36 months on the lees from the day of tirage.

Answer 6

Green: Cava de Guarda Silver: Reserva Gold: Gran Reseve Antique Gold: Paraje Calificado

Answer 7

A village wine. A wine made from grapes from various vineyards located in the same municipality.

Answer 8

Maritime. An “Atlantic” wine is one from a cooler maritime climate, which generally has more rain and milder temperatures than other regions of Spain giving wines with lower alcohol and increased acidity. The DO Rías Baixas is a good example of an Atlantic region. You also hear people referring to “Atlantic” vintages, meaning years in which the weather was cooler and wetter than usual.

Answer 9

Mediterranean. The Mediterranean climate is relatively warm throughout the year with plenty of sunshine, little rain and a long growing season. This typically leads to wines that are full-bodied, fleshy with lower acidity and higher alcohol than other areas. A Monastrell from the DO Jumilla would be a good example of a Mediterranean wine. Similarly, a Mediterranean vintage is one that is warm, dry and sunny with a milder winter.

Answer 10

Continental. Continental wines are ones from regions like Ribera del Duero and Toro where there is little or no influence from the sea. Winters are extremely cold, with the risk of late spring frosts, and summers very hot and dry. “Nine months of winter and three months of hell” is the phrase used to refer to the Madrid climate for example. This means that early ripening varieties like Tempranillo are key and the wines are typically concentrated in flavour with deep colour, high tannins and relatively high acidity and alcohol.