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SPAIN Flashcards

1
Q

3 broad climatic zones?

A

1.North and Northwest coast- Moderate maritime climate, dominated by Atlantic weather systems

2.East coast from Catalunya in the North to the Levante further South- Warm Med climate. Many vineyards moderated by the influence of the sea or altitude

3.Meseta Central- Large plateau in the center of Spain, Hot continental climate. In winter temps fall below freezing, in summer temps are very high, rain very limited

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2
Q

Biggest challenges for grapes in Spain?

A

Heat and lack of water
(With the exception of North West Spain)

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3
Q

Vine training?

A

Low density, bush trained vines, maximizes the amount of water available to each vine and shading the fruit from excessive heat

*Wire training being introduced to facilitate machine harvesting

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4
Q

Tempranillo characteristics?

A

-North and Central Spain
Med acid
At its best where summer temps are moderated by the sea/altitude

-Fermented on its own often with semi carbonic M- Fresh strawberry scented Joven wine (early drinking style)

-More concentrated age worthy oak blends with Garnacha, Graciano, Carinena, or Cab Sauv

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5
Q
A
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6
Q

Garnacha Tinta characteristics?

A

High alcohol
Tendency to age quickly
Widely used for rosados
Important in Priorat where low yielding old vines enable the production of intense full bodied complex reds

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7
Q

Monastrell characteristics?

A

-“Mourvedre”
-Thick skinned
-Drough tolerant
-Needs hot/sunny conditions to ripen
-Grown in SE DO’s Yecla, Jumilla—> Deep color, full body wines, high tannin/alcohol, low-med acid, flavours of ripe blackberry

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8
Q

Graciano characteristics?

A

Challenging to grow
Mainly in Rioja
Small amounts used to add concentrated black fruit aromas, acidity and tannins to the structure of the wine to help it age

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9
Q

Carinena characteristics?

A

-“Carignan”
-AKA Mazuelo in Rioja
-High acidity, tannin, color
Small amount makes ideal blend with Tempranillo
-Also grown in Priorat where it is blended with Garnacha to enhance tannic structure of wines

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10
Q

Mencia characteristics?

A

Moderate climates
Fresh fruit
Med-high acid
Sometimes hint of Herbaceousness

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11
Q

What helps to retain delicate fruit aromas in whites?

A

Harvesting at night or early morning
Fermenting in temp controlled stainless steel vessels

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12
Q

Adding texture and flavor to whites?

A

Oak fermentation and maturation
Lees stirring

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13
Q

Verdejo characteristics?

A

-Highly susceptible to oxidation, was used to make sherry like wines
-Light body
-Med-high acid
-Melon/peach flavours
-Can also be richer/fuller bodied when it undergoes lees stirring and barrel fermentation

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14
Q

Albarino characteristics?

A

-Grown in NW Spain
-Thick skinned, able to resist fungal disease (Good for damp climate its grown in)
-Natural high acid
-Refreshing wines, citrus, stone fruit flavors
-Can be made in a richer/fuller bodied style

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15
Q

Most widely planted grape in Spain?

A

Airen

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16
Q

Airen characteristics?

A

-Mainly in La Mancha in Central Spain
-Can cope with extreme heat and drought conditions
-Mainly used for production of Brandy de Jerez

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17
Q

Main varieties used in Cava?

A

Widely planted in Cataluyna
1.Parellada
2.Xarel. lo
3.Macabeo… AKA Viura in Rioja (Also, often used for still wine production. Can be unoaked with subtle herb and spice aromas
Used to be the mainstay of heavily oaked white Riojas

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18
Q

International varieties?

A

Cab Sauv, Merlot, Sauv B, Chardonnay
Those in NE such as Penedes and Navarra, these varieties are among the most planted

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19
Q

Principal DO’s of Spain can be grouped together by what?

A

6 geographical regions based on climate and grape varieties

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20
Q

6 geographical regions?

A

1.Upper Ebro
2.Catalunya
3.The Duero Valley
4.North West
5.Levante
6.Castilla-La Mancha

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21
Q

What region for the production of Vino de la Tierra is the most extensive?

A

Castilla Y Leon, towards the North of the Meseta Central

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22
Q

Principal city of Rioja?

A

Logrono

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23
Q

Rioja Alavesa?

A

-West of Logrono
-On the North bank of Ebro, in the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains
-Lightest, most finesse

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24
Q

Rioja Alta?

A

-Larger
-West of Logrono, lies mainly to the South of the Ebro

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25
Rioja Alavesa and Alta vineyards and climate?
-Range of altitudes from 500-800 M -Climate moderated by Atlantic Ocean -Cantabrian mountains shield Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather
26
Rioja Oriental
-To the East of Logrono, mainly on the South bank -Less maritime with hotter summers and more severe winters -Rain can be low, drought can be a problem
27
Where does Tempranillo do best?
Cooler, western sub-regions
28
Where does Garnacha grow best?
Rioja Oriental
29
Wines designed for early drinking in Rioja?
May undergo semi carbonic maceration- Produce wines with vibrant red fruit, low levels of tannin
30
Wines for long term maturation in Rioja?
Usually destemmed and crushed and undergo traditional fermentaion
31
How many white varieties are approved to be used in white Rioja? What is the most widely planted?
9 Viura
32
Modern white Rioja?
Minimal oxygen contact, to preserve maximum fruit Some also producing barrel fermented whites, but in less oxidative style
33
Vineyards of Navarra DO?
-Stretch from North and East borders of Rioja, into foothills of Pyrenees
34
Climate of Navarra?
Similar to Rioja, but becomes cooler and wetter near the mountains
35
Most planted grape in Navarra?
-Tempranillo -Either blended with other Rioja varieties to make a wine similar in style or with Cab Sauv and Merlot -And production is focused on reds in Navarra
36
Garnacha grapes for rose in Navarra?
-Picked earlier when acid levels are higher and sugar level lower -Then handled protectively to create refreshing fruity wines with medium levels of alcohol
37
Whites of Navarra?
Very small amount of production Viura, Chardonnay, Sauv B
38
Carinena and Calatayud Climates?
Warm continental climates, low rainfall
39
Wines in Carinena and Calatayud?
Garnacha # 1 in both regions Inexpensive- Fruity, early drinking Higher quality-Made from old vine Garnacha and Carinena and display greater fruit intensity and structure
40
What does Catalunya have that the other Spanish administrative regions don't?
A generic DO for still wines that covers the entire region *Came into existence to allow the blending of wines from the various areas to provide the opportunity to create significant volumes of branded wine
41
Where are vineyards in Catalunya?
Area South of Barcelona and compromises the coastal plain and the hills immediately to the West
42
Where are vineyards in Penedes?
To the SW of Barcelona and stretch from the Med coast up into the hills
43
3 climatic zones in Penedes?
1.Hottest is on the coastal plain where the climate is Med 2.Inland in the valleys the climate is slightly cooler, than that on the plain (but still warm) 3.Further into the hills where vines are grown up to 800 M above sea level, the climate is moderate
44
Most planted whites in Penedes?
Those used for Cava production *Also significant amount of international varieties: Chard, Sauv B, Gew
45
Most planted black grapes in Penedes?
Merlot, Cab Sauv, Tempranillo (Ull de Llebre), Pinot Noir
46
Where are Priorat's vineyards?
Within the hills inland from the city of Tarragona
47
Priorat's climate?
Summers are long, hot, dry, annual rainfall is very low *Ideal for old Garnacha and Carinena vines, both being late ripening grape varieties
48
Best soils in Priorat?
Llicorella- Red slate with small particles of mica They help ripening by reflecting and conserving heat and because of their depth they are able to retain sufficient water throughout the growing season
49
Bush vines and steeps slopes in Priorat mean?
Mechanization is almost impossible, so vineyards are expensive and time consuming to manage
50
Red Priorat?
Deep color High tannins Med-high alcohol Concentrated black fruit Toasty aromas from new French oak
51
Is there white and rose Priorat?
Yes, but both are rare
52
Core black grapes in Priorat?
Garnacha and Carinena (Some add international varieties such as Cab Sauv)
53
Climate of Ribera del Duero?
-Cut off by any maritime influences by ring of mountains -Short, hot, dry summers -Very cold winters
54
Where are the vineyards located for Ribera del Duero?
On the highest part of the Meseta Central, with some vineyards planted at over 850m
55
Majority of production in Ribera del Duero?
Reds Some rose and whites
56
#1 grape in Ribera del Duero?
Tempranillo
57
What other black grapes are found in Ribera del Duero?
Garnacha-Mainly for dry rose Cab Sauv Merlot Malbec
58
What does the Duero Valley include?
Ribera del Duero Toro Rueda
59
Reds of Toro?
Full bodied Intense fruit flavors High alcohol
60
What are Toro wines mainly made from?
Tempranillo
61
What do Joven wines in Toro usually have?
A proportion of Garnacha
62
Are whites and rose made in Toro?
Small amounts
63
What does Rueda focus on?
Whites
64
Rueda climate?
Continental climate with cool summer nights
65
What can Verdejo and Sauv B be labelled as in Rueda?
Single varietal wines
66
What must blends contain in Rueda?
Min 50% Verdejo
67
What does the North West contain?
Rias Baixas Bierzo
68
Climate in Rias Baixas?
Moderate, damp climate Vine disease can be a problem
69
How are vines trained in Rias Baixas?
On Pergolas to encourage vine circulation
70
Albarino in Rias Baixas?
-Fresh, unoaked style, natural high acid Ripe stone fruit flavors -Some in richer styles with a touch of oak/lees stirring *Reds are permitted
71
Climate in Bierzo?
Moderate, benefits from cooling maritime influence
72
Key grape in Bierzo?
Mencia- Elegant, natural high acid, red fruit aromas
73
What does the Levante consist of?
Valencia Jumilla Yecla
74
Most planted red grape in Valencia?
Monastrell
75
Most planted white in Valencia?
Merseguera
76
Sweet wine in Valencia?
Moscatel de Valencia Made from Muscat of Alexandria
77
Climate in Jumilla and Yecla?
Hot and arid
78
#1 grape in Jumilla and Yecla?
Monastrell (Youthful, fruity)
79
What does Castilla-La Mancha consist of?
La Mancha Valdepenas
80
Almost half of Spain's total wine production comes from where?
Castilla-La Mancha
81
Largest DO in Spain?
La Mancha
82
Most planted grape variety in La Mancha?
Airen
83
What is Tempranillo known as in La Mancha
Cencibel
84
What are grape growers being encouraged to plant in La Mancha?
Tempranillo International varieties: Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauv B
85
La Mancha is a source of what?
Inexpensive well made reds and whites for the export market Top quality pago wines
86
Most widely planted grape in Valdepenas?
Airen
87
Main red in Valdepenas?
Tempranillo (Cencibel) Either as a varietal or blended with international varieties
88
What does the Upper Ebro consist of?
Rioja Navarra Carinena and Calatayud
89
What does Catalunya consist of?
Penedes Priorat

WSET 3 (37 decks)

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