Spain Flashcards
Who were the first to establish the value of viticulture in Spain?
The Phoenicians, one of the first great maritime trading cultures, founded the city of Gadir (modern Cádiz) on the coast of southern Spain around 1100 BCE and established the value of viticulture and wine as a commodity in Andalucía
Winemaking continued under the?
Romans, who improved on the fragile, large amphorae in use, but it remained a secondary pursuit under the conquering Moors, whose religion forbade the consumption of alcohol. Still, grapegrowing persisted and was often used for raisins and distillation for medicines, perfumes, and other goods
Several events throughout its three millennia of viticulture have threatened the industry, including?
the Moorish conquest of Iberia, the phylloxera crisis, a devastating Civil War, and several decades under a fascist regime, during which winemaking customs lost favor to bulk production and cooperatives
Consejos Reguladores were established for the major regions of Rioja, Jerez, and Málaga in the?
1930s
civil war, fascism took hold in Spain under?
Francisco Franco in 1936, and Spain remained the only major fascist country in Western Europe after World War II—a dark period for wine that would last until the dictator’s death in 1975
brought stainless steel and temperature-controlled fermentations to Catalonia in the 1960s?
Miguel Torres
Who modernised the indusrty during the 1850s and 60s?
The Bordeaux-trained Marqués de Riscal and Marqués de Murrieta returned to Rioja with grape varieties and lessons from the Médoc, including barrique aging (called barricas in Spain) and estate bottling (performed at their newly constructed bodegas)
Name the classifications of Spain
Denominación de Origen (DO) and the superior Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) represent the two highest tiers of quality wine
Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VCIG)
The lowest level of quality wine, Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)
and Vino de Mesa (or VdM), translating to “table wine
The DO Pago (Vinos de Pago) estates represent a theoretically superior appellation to the basic DO
Noble: min.
Añejo: min.
Viejo: min.
18 months aging in a cask of less than 600 L or bottle
24 months aging in a cask of less than 600 L or bottle
36 months aging, demonstrates marked oxidative character
Oak casks max capacity of 600ltres
Who identified Rueda and its grape Verdejo for the possibility of creating a more contemporary style of non-oxidative white wine?
In 1972, famed French enologist and winemaker Émile Peynaud, working as a consultant for the Marqués de Riscal
He also suggested Sauvignon Blanc
Spain joined the EU when?
1986
Is Spain the largest country under vine?
True
Spain, however, is not the world’s largest producer of wine. It comes in third, with 44.4 million hectoliters, trailing Italy and France
The first Spanish Denominaciones de Origen (DOs) were awarded in?
1932
VdlT wines are also designated Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), which mandates that?
85% of grapes derive from a given area
The first, Rioja, was granted DOCa status in ?
1991
Priorat became DOQ when?
2009
Vino de Pago established in?
2003
Name the Vino de Pagos of Castilla y Leon
Abadia Retuerta
Dehesa Peñalba
Name the Vino de Pagos of Navarra
Prado de Irache
Arinzano
Otazu
Bolandin
Name the Vino de Pagos of Valencia
El Terrerazo
Los Balagueses
Vera de Estenas
Chozas Carrascal
Name the Vino de Pagos of Castilla la Mancha
Dominio de Valdepusa
Finca Elez
Guijoso
Dehesa de Carrizal
Campo de la Guardia
Florentino
Casa del Blanco
Calzadilla
El Vicario
La Jaraba
Vallegarcia
Los Cerillos
Name he Vino de Pago of Aragon
Ayles
Palomino Fino in the Canary islands is called?
Listán Blanco
Which is the third most planted grape of Spain?
Bobal
Cariñena is also known as?
Mazuelo as well as Mazuela, Crujillón, and Samsó
Which is the main grape in the DO Cariñena?
Garnacha
Garnacha in Sardinia is known as?
Cannoneau
Garnacha Tintorera, also known as?
Alicante Bouschet, is the offspring of Garnacha and Petit Bouschet
It is a teinturier variety, meaning both its skins and flesh are red
The red Garnacha Peluda is also known as?
Lladoner Pelut in Catalonia
Which country is the largest exporter of rose wines?
Spain
Name the regions of Galicia
Rias Baixas
Ribeiro
Ribeira Sacra
Valdeorras
Monterrei
Name the sub-zones of Rias Baixas
Val do Salnés, Ribeira do Ulla, Soutomaior, O Rosal, Condado do Tea
Which was the first commercial winery in Rias Baixas?
Palacio de Fefiñanes was Rías Baixas’ first commercial winery, founded in 1904
Soils of Rias Baixas?
Much of the region is planted on decomposed granite, called xabre, with low water retention that serves the rainy environment well.
What is minifundias?
small plots of vineyards
Training method in Rias Baixas is called?
parral, or “pergola,” system
Name the white grape varieties of Rias Baixas
Blanco:
Recommended: Albariño, Loureira, Treixadura, Caiño Blanco
Authorized: Torrontés, Godello
Name the red grape varieties of Rias Baixas
Tinto:
Recommended: Caiño Tinto, Espadeiro, Loureira Tinta, Sousón
Authorized: Mencía, Brancellao
Val do Salnés and Ribeira do Ulla wines must be composed of at minimum?
70% Albariño, Loureira, Treixadura, and Caíño Blanco
Wines labeled O Rosal must be at least?
70% Albariño and Loureira
Condado do Tea must contain a minimum?
70% Albariño and Treixadura
Name some top producers from Rias Baixas
Pazo de Barrantes
Pazo de Senorans
Palacio de Fefiñanes
Mar de Frades
Bodegas Albamar
Bodegas Forjas del Salnes
Ribeiro DO produces mostly?
white wine
What is Vino Tostado?
Vino tostado is a historic style made in Ribeiro
is a dried grape wine similar to Tuscan vin santo. Red or white grapes are left to dry for a minimum of three months following harvest in covered rooms with consistent ventilation to avoid rot. They must be dried to a minimum must weight of 350 grams per liter. Drying can be performed using various tactics, from hanging the clusters to resting them on shelves or in plastic bins. The wines are then fermented and aged in oak or cherry casks for at minimum six months, followed by a minimum three in bottle before release
Name the grape varieties of RIbeiro
Blanco:
Recommended: Treixadura, Torrontés, Godello, Lado, Loureira, Albariño, Caiño Blanco
Authorized: Palomino, Albillo,
Tinto:
Recommended: Caiño Tinto (also known as Caiño Bravo or Caiño Longo), Ferrón, Sousón, Brancellao, Mencía
Authorized: Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet), Tempranillo
Name the 5 sub-zones of Ribeira Sacra
Amandi, Chantada, Ribeiras do Miño, Ribeiras do Sil, Quiroga-Bibei
Which of the sub-zones of Ribeira Sacra is the most significant?
Amandi, which sits at the appellation’s center on the steep northern slopes of the Sil, is most historic and most often viewed as highest in quality
Ribeira Sacra sits on the confluence of the rivers?
Sil and Miño
Soils of Ribeira Sacra?
Vineyards along the Sil and near its lower sections tend to be grounded in granitic soils, while the Upper Sil has more slate
Name some top producers of Ribeira Sacra
Guímaro, Algueira, and Dominio do Bibei
Wines produced in Ribeira Sacra are predominately?
red, with Mencía as the most important grape, covering 90% of vineyards
Tinto: min. 70% Mencia
Rosado: Min 85% Principal red Grapes
Súmmum: 85% principal grapes
Blanco Barrica & Garda
Tinto Barrica & Garda
Name the authorised grape varieties of Ribeira Sacra
Blanco:
Principal: Albariño, Godello, Treixadura, Loureira, Torrontés, Dona Branca
Tinto:
Principal: Mencía, Merenzao (Bastardo), Brancellao, Sousón, Caiño Tinto
Authorized: Garnacha Tintorera, Mouratón, Tempranillo
Galicia’s easternmost appellation is?
Valdeorras DO
Which river flows through Valdeorras?
Sil
Valdeorras’s main soil type?
slate
Valdeorras is famous for which grape?
Godello
Wines labelled Mencia or Godello require how much of the stated grape?
85% Mencia
100% Godello
Monterrei produces which styles?
Monterrei exclusively makes white and red wines, its whites produced from Dona Branca, Godello, and Treixadura, among other regional varieties, and its reds primarily from Mencía and Bastardo, with blending grapes
Blanco: min. 60% recommended white grapes
Tinto: min. 60% recommended red grapes
Name the sub-zones of Monterrei
Valle de Monterrei, Ladera de Monterrei
Where is Basque country located?
Tucked into the western Pyrenees and Iberia’s northern Atlantic Coast
Name the 3 DOs of Basque Country
Txakoli de Bizkaia (Bizkaiko Txakolina), Txakoli de Getaria (Getariako Txakolina), and Txakoli de Álava (Arabako Txakolina)
Name the grape varieties for Txakoli
Hondarrabi Zuri (or Ondarrabi Zuri) dominates white plantings, though some have theorized that this name represents three different grape varieties. The DOs of Basque Country also employ various international white grapes for blending, including Folle Blanche, Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, depending on the appellation. The indigenous red grape Hondarrabi Beltza (Ondarrabi Beltza, of no relation to Hondarrabi Zuri) is grown to a smaller extent, yielding fresh, light-bodied reds. Sparkling and rosado Txakoli also exist, though in the shadow of the region’s white wines.
Castilla y León sits on the upper portion of the?
Meseta, a higher plateau than neighboring Castilla-La Mancha, from which it is separated by the mountains of the Sistema Central. Elevations are high (700 to 1,000 meters), and most regions are concentrated along the banks of the Duero River, before it crosses into Portugal.
Name th DO’s of Castilla Leon
Bierzo
Rueda
Toro
Ribera del Duero
Arribes
Arlanza
Cigales
Tierra del Vino de Zamora
Leon
Name the 2 unofficial zones of Bierzo
the low-lying, flatter Bajo Bierzo at the base and the mountainside plantings of Alto Bierzo. Quality winegrowing is favored in the latter’s higher, sloped sites, often composed of quartz and slate. Vines in Bajo Bierzo are typically planted in deeper, clay-alluvial soils
Bierzo reds from Mencia require a min of?
85% Mencia followed by Garnacha Tintorera, Estaldiña, and Merenzao
Name the vineyard quality pyramid of Bierzo
Vino de la Region
Vino de Vila
Vino de paraje
Vino de Vina Clasificada
Gran Vino de Vina Clasificada
Until the 20th centrury in Rueda they were producing?
Dorado (literally “golden”) wines, fortified and sometimes flor-affected rancios aged in a solera system or demijohns from Palomino
Who and when shaped Rueda’s wine indusrty?
Marques de Riscal wanted to add a white wine in his portfolio in the 1970s and hired Emile Peynaud who predicted the success of Verdejo in Rueda and he also suggested Sauvignon Blanc
Rueda Blanco requires?
a minimum 50% Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc, the latter capable of adding acidity and an herbaceous quality. Palomino, Viura, Chardonnay, and Viognier are also authorized for blending
Rueda’s altitudes and soils?
Rueda’s vineyards, though mainly flat, benefit from elevations around 600 to 700 meters. The Duero just runs through the very north of the region, but its tributaries extend throughout Rueda. The soil has a high portion of limestone and is famously gravelly, allowing for good drainage
Vinos Espumosos requierements?
traditional method
aged at least 9 months on the lees
At least 75 percent of the blend must be Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc
Vino Espumoso “Gran Añada requierements?
36 months of age on lees prior to disgorgement (starts with the 2020 vintage)
Gran vino de Rueda must come from vines at least?
30 years old
Vino de Pueblo is a new village wine classification, where
85% of the grapes must be harvested for nearly 70 municipalities
Name the Vino de Licor of Ruedda and its requierements
Rueda Pálido (Pale): 100% combined Palomino Fino and/or Verdejo
Rueda Dorado (Golden): 100% combined Palomino Fino and/or Verdejo
Rueda Dorado: min. 4 years, including at least 2 years in oak
Vino Pálido: biologically aged for a minimum of 3 years in oak
Name the red grape varieties of Rueda
Principal: Tempranillo
Authorized: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Garnacha Tinta, Syrah.
Name some top producers of Rueda
Telmo Rodriguez
Marques de Riscal
Ossian
Rueda Verdejo and Rueda Sauvignon require?
at least 85 percent of the stated variety
The first to recognize the potential of Ribera del Duero was?
Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, who founded in 1864 what would later be named Vega Sicilia
Ribera del Duero became a DO when?
1982
Who made Tempranillo the main grape due to his success?
In 1972, Alejandro Fernández established Tinto Pesquera, where he helped return focus to Tempranillo and produced acclaimed monovarietal renditions
Which was the first vintage of Pingus?
1995 which was lost in a voyage
Who created Pingus?
Peter Sisseck
Which is the second wine of Pingus?
FLor de Pingus
ψ third wine
Which is the first vintage of Unico?
1915
Unico is aged for?
The wines are aged for 10 years in wood and bottle using American and French wood barrels: new and used 225-litre barrels and 20,000-litre vats. Normally the Unico spends 6 years in wood and 4 in the bottle
Ribera del Duero Blanco?
min. 75% Albillo Mayor
Ribera del Duero Tinto must be composed?
min 75% Tinta del País / Tinto Fino
Garnacha, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Name the ageing requierements of RIbera del Duero
Roble/Barrica: min. 3 months in oak (max. 600 liter capacity)
Crianza:
Blanco/Rosado/Clarete: min. 18 months, including at least 6 months in oak (max. 330 liter capacity)
Tinto: min. 24 months, including at least 12 months in oak (max. 330 liter capacity)
Reserva:
Blanco/Rosado/Clarete: min. 24 months, including at least 6 months in oak (max. 330 liter capacity)
Tinto: min. 36 months, including at least 12 months in oak (max. 330 liter capacity)
Gran Reserva:
Blanco/Rosado/Clarete: min. 48 months, including at least 6 months in oak (max. 330 liter capacity)
Tinto: min. 60 months, including at least 24 months in oak (max. 330 liter capacity)
Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva wines must spend the rest of their required aging outside of barrel in the bottle.
Name some top producers of Ribera del Duero
Vega Sicilia
Aalto
Dominio di Aguila
Dominio de Pingus
Pesquera
Arzuaga
Cigales DO produces mainly?
rosados and claretes
Toro Reds requiere a min of?
75% Tempranillo or 85% Garnacha, with the balance of the blend coming from those two grapes
Does Toro produces white and rose wines?
Rosado and white wine also come from Toro, the latter from Verdejo, Malvasía Castellana, Albillo Real, and/or Muscat à Petit Grains.
Toro’s ageing requierements?
Crianza (Tinto only): Wines must be aged for a min. 2 years, including at least 6 months in oak (max. 330 liter barrels)
Reserva (Tinto only): Wines must be aged for a min. 3 years, including at least 1 year in oak (max. 330 liter barrels)
Gran Reserva (Tinto only): Wines must be aged for a min. 5 years, including at least 18 months in oak (max. 330 liter barrels)
Rioja became DOCa when?
1991
Name the four autonomous communities of Rioja
La Rioja, Basque Country, Navarra, and Castilla y Léon. (The inclusion of territory from Castilla y Léon results from the fact that two small areas within La Rioja belong to Castilla y Léon; a single estate sits in the DOCa.)
Rioja’s highest elevation vineyards are in?
Rioja Alavesa
Name some of the oldest wineries from Rioja Alta
López de Heredia, Muga, CVNE, and La Rioja Alta S.A
Name the subzones of Rioja
Rioja Alta (La Rioja & Castilla y León), Rioja Oriental-formerly Baja(Navarra), Rioja Alavesa (País Vasco)
Name the ageing requierements for Vino Espumoso
Vino Espumoso de Calidad: min. 15 months on the lees from the date of tirage prior to disgorgement
Vino Espumoso de Calidad Reserva: min. 24 months on the lees from the date of tirage prior to disgorgement
Vino Espumoso de Calidad Gran Añada: min 36 months on the lees from the date of tirage prior to disgorgement.
Vino Espumoso requierements?
Traditional Method
Only manual harvesting
Vino Espumoso de Calidad Gran Añada must come entirely from a single vintage, and state the vintage on the label.
Sweetness Designations:
Brut Nature: Less than 3 g/l of residual sugar, and has not received dosage
Extra Brut: Maximum 6 g/l of residual sugar
Brut: Maximum 12 g/l of residual sugar
Pressure must be at least 3.5 bars
Name Rioja’s ageing requierements
Crianza Blanco/Rosado: min. 18 months, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder may be in bottle, oak or stainless steel)
Reserva Blanco/Rosado: min. 2 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)
Gran Reserva Blanco/Rosado: min. 4 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)
Crianza Tinto: min. 2 years, including at least 1 year in oak
Reserva Tinto: min. 3 years, including at least 1 year in oak and 6 months in bottle
Gran Reserva Tinto: min. 60 months of aging with at least 24 months in oak and at least 24 months in bottle
Name the top vintages of Rioja
2001, 2004 and 2005
2008, 2009 and 2010
2012 very hot vintage
2015, 2018, 2019
Viñedo Singular, or “single vineyard,” category requierements?
Hand-harvested individual sites where vines are at least 35 years old. These wines must achieve nearly 30% lower yields, with whites dropping from 63 to 45 hectoliters per hectare and reds moving from 45.5 to 32.5 hectoliters per hectare. They must also pass approval by the consejo tasting committee
Vinos de Municipio requierements?
Grapes must come exclusively from the municipality (but 15% from neighboring municipalities may be allowed with 10 year history working with the vineyard)
Vinification, aging, and bottling must occur within the municipality
Vinos de Zona requierements?
Grapes must come exclusively from the zone (but 15% from neighboring zones may be allowed with 10 year history working with the vineyard)
Vinification, aging, and bottling must occur within the zone
Graciano in blends adds?
It supplies acidity, tannin, and exotic spice flavors, and in a select few cellars, it is bottled on its own into characterful yet serious wines
Which grapes are used for Rioja Blanco?
Viura (Macabeo) is most prevalent among white varieties and can achieve tremendous structure balanced by acidity. It is commonly blended with Malvasía for its floral aromas, and together these yield the great, traditional white Riojas, of which only a couple stewards remain. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Garnacha Blanca, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, and Turruntés are also permitted.
Name the five district zones of Navarra DO
Baja Montaña, Tierra Estella, Valdizarbe, Ribera Alta, and Ribera Baja
Baja Montaña, in the northeast, concentrates almost entirely on ?
red wine production, with treasured old vine Garnacha vineyards
Navarra DO produces which styles?
white,red,rosado (Garnacha preferred; Sangrado/Saignée method required) and sweet and fortified wines
Which grape variety is used for Navarra’s sweet wines?
Moscatel de Grano Menudo is also utilized for sweet and fortified wines, notably from Ribera Baja
Minimum 85% Moscatel
Envejecido en Roble (Moscatel Vino de Licor): Wines must be aged a min. 24 months, including at least 18 months in oak
Name the authorized grape varieties of Navarra
Blanco: Garnacha Blanca, Viura, Malvasía, Moscatel de grano menudo, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Tinto: Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, Mazuelo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir
red crianzas in Navarra must be aged for at least?
two years, with a minimum nine months in barrel
Name the 4 DOs of Aragon
Calatayud, Cariñena, Campo de Borja, and Somontano
Calatayud is largest
Calatayud produces which styles?
Garnacha occupies nearly two-thirds of the vineyard area, followed by Tempranillo and Syrah
While 92% of plantings are dedicated to red grapes, white, red, sparkling, semi-sparkling, sweet, and fortified wines are all permitted
For wines designated Viñas Viejas, or “old vines in Calatayud?
necessitates a minimum 35 years
Calatayud Superior must be composed of at least ?
85% Garnacha from vines that surpass 50 years in age
Cariñena produces which styles?
Red, white, rosado, sparkling, semi-sparkling, sweet, and fortified are permitted.
Which are the main grapes of Carinena?
Garnacha (at 27%) and Tempranillo (at 22%). The rest of the vineyard area is dedicated to mostly typical white and red grapes, both Spanish and foreign
Campo de Borja produces mainly?
Reds from Garnacha
Rosado, white, sparkling, fortified Moscatel, and late-harvest wines can also be crafted
The youngest of Aragon’s DOs is?
Somontano
Somontano’s most successful wines come from?
Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Chardonnay, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Several additional French and Spanish grapes are cultivated, including the local white Alcañón, and reds Parraleta (not to be confused with the white Parellada) and Moristel. The consejo allows white, red, sparkling, fortified, and sweet wines.
Mediterranean Coast includes which DOs?
Penedès
Priorat DOQ
Monstant
Tarragona
Conca de Barberà
Costers del Segre
Terra Alta
Alella
Pla de Bages
Empordà
Catalunya
Valencia
Alicante
Utiel-Requena
Murcia
The first traditional method sparkling wine using Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada, widely considered to be the forerunner of all Cava was made by?
Josep Raventós i Fatjó of Codorníu Raventós in 1872
the town that continues to serve as the industrial center of Spain’s sparkling wine industry is?
Sant Sadurní d’Anoia
Yet Cava can be vinified in various patches across Spain and in seven of its autonomous communities
Catalonia, Valencia, Aragon, Basque Country, La Rioja, Navarra, and Extremadura
Cava Rosado is produced by which grapes?
Garnacha Tinta, Monastrell, Pinot Noir, and Trepat, with these red grapes comprising a minimum of 25% of the blend. (Trepat can only be vinified for rosado wines). Rosado Cava can be produced through brief maceration of red skins, saignée, or blending red and white base wines. Though the color spectrum varies, rosado Cava is often darker hued and more tannic in style than most rosé Champagne.
Monastrell is mainly used for Cava in which region?
Valencia
Basic Cava must age a minimum of?
nine months from the date of tirage until disgorgement
Reserva Cava must age a min of?
18 months
Gran Reserva Cava must age a min of?
30 months
gyropalette is called also?
girasol
In 2014, the consejo regulador introduced a new category, Cava de Paraje Calificado, with its first crop of wines arriving in 2017 on the market.
State its requierements:
Cava de Paraje must originate from a single parcel whose vines are at least 10 years old. Wines must be vintage dated, unacidified, and aged in bottle for a minimum 36 months before being disgorged. They must also adhere to stricter yields, hand-harvesting, and quality control. The Cava de Paraje category applies exclusively to brut, extra brut, and brut nature wines.
What is Corpinat?
A number of high quality producers (examples include Gramona and Recaredo) left
the Cava DO in 2019 and founded the legally recognised producer group Corpinnat. This
commits members to making sparkling wines by the traditional method with 100 per cent
organic grapes, grown in Penedès, harvested by hand and vinified entirely on the premises of
the winery. 90 per cent of the grapes used must be approved local varieties. There are three
categories with minimum ageing on the lees of 18, 30 and 60 months
Requierements for Classic Penedes?
sparkling wines made from certified organic grapes grown in the DO. The wine must be made by the traditional method with a minimum of 15 months on the lees.
Must be vintage
Clàssic producers cannot buy in their wine. Fermentation, disgorging, dosage, and all other aspects of production must happen within their own registered premises
Name the 3 sub-zones of Penedes DO
Penedès Marítim, also referred to as Baix- (low) Penedès
Medio Penedes
Penedes Superior or Alto Penedes
Penedès Marítim produces?
Rises from sea level to 250 meters. Monastrell, Garnacha, and Cariñena perform well, moderated by the proximity to the Mediterranean, while Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada will often produce simpler white wines
Penedès Central or Medio produces mainly?
Cava’s trio of grapes, as well as Tempranillo and red Bordeaux varieties, are successful. Here, vineyards lie between 250 and 500 meters
Penedes Superior produces mainly?
The highest elevation plots are found in Penedès Superior, or Alt- (high) Penedès, between 500 and 850 meters as the vineyards ascend into the Montserrat mountain range. With increased precipitation and a more dramatic diurnal swing, Penedès Superior grows an assortment of cooler-climate international grapes, including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer. Also permitted are a number of other grape varieties, such as Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Garnacha Blanca, and Moscatel de Alejandría and de Grano Menudo—though examples are few
What is the first vintage of Mas La Plana from Miguel Torres?
This exceptional wine burst onto the international scene in 1979, with its first vintage from 1970, by beating the world’s greatest Cabernets in the Gault & Millau Wine Olympics held in Paris
Priorat became DOQ in?
2000 and confirmed in 2009
Who pioneered Priorat and when?
In 1989
René Barbier (Clos Mogador) and his recruits Álvaro Palacios (Clos Dofí, now Finca Dofí), Daphne Glorian (Clos Erasmus), José Luis Pérez (Clos Martinet, now Mas Martinet), and Carlos Pastrana and Mariona Jarque (Clos de l’Obac)
In Catalonia Tempranillo is called?
Ull de Llebre
Name the 12 villages of Priorat authorised for Vi de Vila
La Morera de Montsant, Gratallops, Bellmunt del Priorat, Escaladei, Porrera, Poboleda, La Vilella Baixa, La Vilella Alta, El Lloar, Masos del Terme de Falset, Solanes del Terme de El Molar, and Torroja del Priorat
What is Vi de Finca?
In 2019, Priorat announced a new vineyard classification pyramid. This is in addition to the Vi de Finca scheme that already exists for Catalonia more broadly. Established in 2002, Vi de Finca recognizes specific growing zones and single vineyards. (Priorat’s first two Vi de Finca wines were Clos Mogador and Vall Llach’s Mas de la Rosa.)
Name the classification system of Priorat
Vi de Vila
Vi de Finca (Single vineyard, independent of Vi de Vinya): 100% Sourced from designated parcel. Only allowed for wines that also qualify for Catalan “Vi de Finca”.
Vi de Paratge: 100% Sourced from a single zone.
Vi de Vinya Classificada: Quality vineyard designation given to single parcel wines by the Consell.
Vi de Gran Vinya Classificada*: Top-Quality vineyard designation given to single parcel wines by the Consell.
Velles Vinyes: Vineyard designation given to vineyards planted prior to 1945 (75 year old vines).
Vi de Vila requierements?
Since the 2007 vintage.
Grapes grown within the boundaries of the village as determined by the Consejo Regulador.
Made from vineyards owned or long-term leased (minimum seven years).
Maximum yields: 7,000 kg/ha for whites; 5,000 kg/ha for reds.
Minimum 60% Garnacha and/or Cariñena.
90% of the vineyards must be at least 10 years old: the remaining 10% must be at least five years old.
Vi de Paratge requierements?
Since the 2017 harvest.
Grapes grown on a single site whose boundaries are determined by the Consejo Regulador.
Made from vineyards owned or long-term leased (minimum seven years).
Maximum yields: 6,000 kg/ha for whites; 4,000 kg/ha for reds.
Minimum 60% Garnacha and/or Cariñena.
90% of the vineyards must be at least 15 years old; the remaining 10% must be at least five years old.
Vinya Classificada requierements?
Since the 2017 harvest.
Grapes grown on a single vineyard classified by the Consejo Regulador
Made from vineyards owned or long-term leased (minimum seven years).
Maximum yields: 6,000 kg/ha for white; 4,000 kg/ha. for red
Minimum 60% Garnacha and/or Cariñena
80% of vineyards must be at least 20 years old: the remaining 20% must be at least five years old.
Traceability of at least five years.
Gran Vinya Classificada requierements?
Since the 2017 harvest.
Grapes grown on a single vineyard classified by the Consejo Regulador and using traditional growing methods.
Made from vineyards owned or long-term leased (minimum seven years).
Maximum yields: 4,000 kg/ha for whites; 3,000 kg/ha for reds.
Minimum 90% Garnacha and/or Cariñena.
80% of the vineyards must be at least 35 years old; the remaining 20% must be at least 10 years old.
Traceability of at least five years.
Name the three wineries that allow Gran Vinya Classificada?
“Mas de la Rosa” by Vall Llach, “1902, Tossal d’en Bou” by Mas Doix and “L’Ermita” by Álvaro Palacios.
Who started Terroir Al limit?
Eben Sadie and Dominik Huber in 2001
Name some top vineyards in Priorat
L’Ermita
Les Aubaguetes
Les Manyes
Les Tosses
L ’ Arbossar
Priorat produces which styles?
Apart reds
White wines of complexity can also be achieved in Priorat, particularly those grounded in Garnacha Blanca. Macabeo, Pedro Ximénez, and a variety of Spanish and French whites are also permitted. Rosado wines are also bottled, as are the typical fortified vi dolç natural (usually sweet reds with added grape spirit), rancio, and mistela wines.
Carinena in Priorat is called?
Samsó
Perpetual and Salmos are produced from?
Miguel Torres
Les Manyes vineyard: grape variety, alt, vine age, orientation etc?
The grapes are hand harvested, whole cluster fermented, and then aged for 8 months in cement.
Location Montsant Mountain, around Mas Deu
Age 60 years old
Altitude 800 meters
Orientation
West
Varieties
100% Hairy Grenache
Soils
Clay
Production
3,500 bottles
Yield
2,000 kg per hectare
Alcohol 13.5 %
Les Tosses vineyard: grape variety, alt, vine age, orientation etc?
Location Torroja del Priorat
Age 90 years old
Altitude 600 meters
Orientation
South
Varieties
100% Carignan
Soils
Black slate
Production
3,200 bottles
Yield
1,850 kg per hectare
Alcohol 13.5 %
this wine is hand harvested, with whole cluster native fermentation, and then aged for 8 months in cement tanks.
Els Escurcons is being produced by?
Mas Martinet
Clos Erasmus is being produced by?
Daphne GLorian of Clos I Terrases
L’Arbossar vineyard: grape variety, alt, vine age, orientation etc?
Location Torroja del Priorat
Age 90 years old
Altitude 350 - 400 meters
Orientation
North
Varieties
100% Carignan
Soils
Slate/granite
Production
4,200 bottles
Yield
2,500 kg per hectare
Alcohol 13.5 %
Name the river and mountain of Priorat
Siurana
Serra de Montsant
Formerly the Falset subzone of Tarragona, Montsant was awarded its separate appellation in?
2001
Describe Montsant’s topography, soils and grapes
It is shaped by a series of adjoining mountain ranges, with the one named Montsant at the north of the circle. The southwestern corridor descends nearly to the Ebro River Valley and enjoys the warmest temperatures of the region, with portions planted in the same llicorella soils as Priorat. The northern areas have cooler conditions, as well as more limestone, while vineyards in the south around Falset, the appellation’s main town, are sandier. Like Priorat, Montsant is largely identified for its Garnacha and Cariñena blends. Other Spanish and French red grapes are vinified, as are whites with increasing promise. Montsant bottles an array of fortified sweet wines, in both oxidative and reductive styles.
Vino Rancio / Vi Ranci: white or red authorized grapes (fortified)
Mistela (Blanca/Negra)
Garnatxa de Montsant: Vi de Licor (fortified)
Vino Dulce Natural / Vi Dolç Natural: Vi de Licor, min. must weight of 272 g/l (fortified)
Vimblanc: Vi de Licor, 100% Pansa (dried grapes, fortified)
Also rosado
Which grape is Pansa Blanca?
The white Pansa grape is a variety found in Catalonia, also known in other regions as the white Xarel-lo grape
specifically the autochthonous grape of the D.O. Alella
Tarragona is divided into?
The Camp de Tarragona and Comarca Ribera d’Ebre subzones. The Camp de Tarragona subzone sits along the Mediterranean, in the plains and at lower elevations. Ribera d’Ebre surrounds the Ebro River near its mouth. Here, there is more continental influence, and vineyards are planted at various elevations from the river’s banks to higher up the hillsides.
Tarragona produces which styles?
Blanca / Blanc
Rosado / Rosat
Tinta / Negre
Vino Brisado (Orange Wine) (Authorized white grapes plus Xarello Rosado)
Vino de Aguja / Vi d’Agulla (semi-sparkling)
Vino Espumoso / Vi Escumós
Vino Rancio / Vi Ranci: Oxidized wine
Mistela (Blanca/Negra, fortified)
Moscatell de Tarragona (Vi de Licor produced from Moscatell d’Alexandria and Moscatell de Gra Petit)
Garnatxa de Tarragona (Vi de Licor produced from Garnatxa Blanca and Negre)
Vimblanc (Vi de Licor made from overripe grapes)
Name the 3 DOs of Valencia
Utiel-Requeña
Valencia
Alicante
Valencia DO is further divided in four sub-zones?
Alto Turia
Moscatel de Valencia
Clariano
Valentino
The northern tip, Alto Turia, cultivates predominately?
white varieties, namely Merseguera and Macabeo, at elevations between 700 and 1,100 meters.
To the south, the Moscatel subregion takes its name from the family of grapes it utilizes for the production of?
sweet mistelas and fortified wines (Moscatel de Alejandría being the most significant
Clariano, the unattached most southerly winegrowing area, sees diverse styles and varieties such as?
Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell, and Tempranillo offer noteworthy wines, as can international grapes.
Which is the most southern DO of Valencia?
Alicante
Alicante is most often associated with full-bodied red wines made from?
Monastrel accounting for roughly 75% of the vineyard area
Garnacha, Garnacha Tintorera, and Tempranillo can all be found, as can examples from mainstream international varieties.
Airén, Moscatel de Alejandría, Macabeo, and the local grape Merseguera, among others
Name the sub-zones of Alicante
L´Alacantí, L’Alcoià, Alto Vinalopó, Medio Vinalopó, Bajo Vinalopó, La Marina Alta, La Marina Baja, El Comtat
Beyond table wines, the coastal sector of La Marina specializes in?
Sweet Moscatel wines
What is Fondillón?
Traditional wine from Alicante from late harvested Monastrel grapes
or additional post-harvest drying will inform the wine’s character).
Fermentation naturally halts off-dry, with roughly 20 to 50 grams per liter of residual sugar.
wines will eventually enter a modified solera system in large oak barrels for a min of 10 years developing a rancio character reminiscent of an Oloroso
Which is the northern sub-zone of Valencia?
Utiel-Requeña
Which is the main grape of Utiel-Requeña?
72%, Bobal dominates plantings
Garnacha and Tempranillo are grown, as are several international varieties.
Name the 3 DOs of Murcia
Yecla
Jumilla
Bullas
Yecla and Jumilla soils and altitudes?
Yecla: between 400 and 800 meters above sea level, and the loamy, well-drained soil sits atop limestone bedrock
Jumilla: 400 to 800 meters, albeit sandier soils above limestone
Red wines from Jumilla require a min of?
85% Monastrel
Vino de Licor from Jumilla must be made from?
100% Monastrel
Name the top winery of Jumilla?
Casa Castillo
Castilla la Mancha is famous for which cheese?
Manchego
Name the 8 DOs of Castilla la Mancha
La Mancha, Almansa, Ribera del Júcar, Manchuela, Méntrida, Mondéjar, Uclés, and Valdepeñas
Tagus River is located in?
Extremadura
Tempranillo is allowed for the production of Cava?
No
Name the 3 regions that comprise Rioja
Navarra
La Rioja
Pais Vasco
Where would you most likely encounter wines labeled “Súmmum?”
Ribeira Sacra
at least 85% for both red and whites
Labastida is located in?
Rioja Alavesa
Alfaro is located in?
Rioja Baja
Name the grapes permitted in Cava
Xarello
Macabeo
Parellada
Chardonnay
Subirat Parent
Priorat min alc?
13.5%
Name a cider-producing autonomía that only produces VCIG wine?
Asturias
Asturian cider has its own protected designation of origin (PDO). This status is testament to the quality of the product, its sensory qualities and the traditional production methods used. Look out for D.O. Sidra de Asturias on the label
Spanish semi-sparkling wine that can be made in a sweet, off-dry, or dry style is known by what general term?
Aguja
The Alt-Penedès sub-region is defined by what range of elevation?
500-850m
Rueda Dorado, Garnatxa del Tarragona, Lagrima, and Vendimia Asoleada de Malaga are all examples of what style of wine?
Vino de Licor
Euskadi is the indigenous name for what region?
Pais Vasco
Bastardo in Ribeira Sacra is known as?
Merenzao
San Vicente de la Sonsierra is a town located in?
between Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta
Many of Rioja Oriental’s vineyards sit at higher elevations in the ?
Yerga Mountains
Ribera del Duero requieres a min alc of?
Blanco/Rosado: 11%
Tinto: 11.5%
Who produces Contador?
Having been the winemaker at revered Rioja producer, Artadi, for 15 years, Benjamin Romeo began his solo project, Bodega Contador, in 1995. His flagship wine, Contador, is produced from 100% Tempranillo sourced from three parcels of vines ranging between 60 and 80 years of age.
Where is Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza?
Rioja Alavesa
Teso la Monja is in?
Toro
Numanthia is in?
Toro
produces Termes, Numanthia and Termanthia
owned by LVMH
Bodegas Gerardo Méndez is a producer in?
Val do Salnes
Pesus is a wine from?
Viña Sastre “Pesus”, Ribera del Duero
From 100 year old vines planted at 830 meters in elevation comes this showy, full-bodied red wine made of mostly Tinto del País (aka Tempranillo) with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months. Production is minimal and only 2000 bottles are made each year.
Janus Gran Reserva is produced from?
BODEGAS ALEJANDRO FERNANDEZ PESQUERA
The 1994 Janus may be the greatest Pesquera ever made
This massive wine resembles a young Port in its extraordinary concentration of ripe, sweet fruit, thick texture and potential for long aging. Closed now, it only hints at the richness of ripe fruit that hides behind the iron tannins and lavish oak. Few Spanish reds attain this degree of power and intensity; with time, it should also develop the harmony and elegance the country’s best wines are know for.
Maleollus is wine from?
Emilio Moro
One of our favourite Tempranillos. A very representative wine exercise from the Ribera del Duero region; intense aroma and great character thanks to up to 75 years-old vines and its 18 month rest in French oak barrels.
Name the best vintages for Ribera del Duero from 2010
2010 is considered a model vintage and one of the best in the 21st century
2011 Many producers found similarities with 2005. The vintage was rated “Excellent.”
2012 and 2014 Very Good
2015 has been compared to 2005 due to its power and concentration. The Regulatory Council rated it “Excellent.”
2016, 2017 and 2018 are Very Good
2019 was warm and is considered excellent
Name the best vintages for Ribera del Duero from 2000 until 2009
2001, 2004 and 2009 were excellent with 2005 a bit behind
Name the best vintages for RIbera del Duero before 2000
1986, 1989, 1996, 1996, 1999
La Faraona is a top bottling of?
Descendientes de J Palacios is a single-vineyard Mencia red wine produced by Alvaro Palacios in the Bierzo region of north-west Spain. Alongside his nephew, Ricardo Perez, Alvaro founded Descendientes de J Palacios in 1998. Together they have gained an enviable reputation for their fragrant and elegant wines made from the local variety, Mencía. La Faraona is regarded as their ‘grand cru’ cuvée and contains a small percentage of white grape varieties. 2020 marked the first vintage in which the vineyard was certified organic.
Sot Lefriec is an acclaimed wine from?
Penedes DO
A joint venture by Catalan winemaker Irene Alemany and Frenchman Laurent Corrio, the Sot Lefriec is the most innovative wine to come out of the Penedes in at least a decade. Big, thick and rich, it is made in the newest of “New World styles” and as rare as hen’s teeth, with only 5,430 bottles made.
‘the first garage wine to emerge from the Penedes region.’ The debut vintage, the 1999 (a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Carignan) was produced from yields of 17 hectoliters per hectare, and was aged in French oak. It boasts a saturated opaque purple color as well as tremendously intense notes of espresso, blueberries, blackberries, vanilla, and toast. Rich, full-bodied, intense, and promising, this blockbuster effort will be at its finest between 2005-2016+
Who produces Viña El Pisón?
Artadi, now owned by the famillies of Lacalle and Laorden since 1992 in laguardia in Rioja Alavesa
a plot of 2.4 hectares planted in 1945 Tempranillo 100%
aged in French oak for a year
Who produces Pago la Jara?
Telmo Rodriguez in Toro, Tempranillo with a little Albillo mayor
Who produces Embruix?
Vall Llach in Priorat
entry level blend of Garnacha, Merlot, Syrah and Carignan
Wine pairing with Manchego?
Rioja Red
Verdejo and white rioja white
Sherry Amontillado
Name the DOs of Andalucia
Condado de Huelva
Jerez-Xérès-Sherry and Montilla-Moriles
Málaga & Sierras de Málaga
Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda
Granada
Málaga DO is designated for?
sweet fortified white wines
from the Moscatel and Pedro Ximenez grape varieties
the Moscatel de Alejandría, and Moscatel Morisco
DO Sierras of Malaga produces which styles?
producing what are popularly known as ‘the Ronda Wines’.
Here modern bodegas at over 750m altitude in the Serrania de Ronda produce young red wines from Romé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Tempranillo. Their white wine varieties include Chardonnay, Macabeo, Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc.
Which is Spain’s newest DO?
Granada was promoted from VCIG to DO in 2021
Which area of Spain is famous for Jamon Serrano and cork production?
Extremadura
Ribera del Guadiana DO is the sole DO of?
Extremadura
La Mancha DO main grapes?
Airen and Cencibel
Ribera del Júcar main grape?
Tempranillo
Manchuela DO main grape?
Borders Utiel-Requena, with which it shares Bobal as a dominant variety
Almansa’s dominant grape is?
Monastrel
Valdepeñas main grape?
Tempranillo
Name the sole DO of Madrid
Vinos de Madrid
white Alcañón and red Parraleta are found in?
Somontano along a wide range of international grapes
Whites in Ribera del Duero must contain a min of?
75% Albillo Mayor
Ribera del Duero DO, which surrounds the towns of ?
Aranda de Duero and Peñafiel in the Duero River Valley
Vega Sicilia, founded in by ?
Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, who in 1864 planted a number of Bordeaux varieties and—curiously—a little Pinot Noir alongside Tinto del País (Tempranillo) in order to make brandy.
Fariña and Numanthia-Termes are among the top names in?
Toro
Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO is located in?
Castilla Leon and produces red, white, rosado, and the lighter clarete (rosé) wines from similar grapes. Reds require a minimum 75% Tempranillo.
