Spain Flashcards
what are the 3 climatic zones in Spain
moderate maritime
warm mediterranean
hot continental
what are the main climatic challenges that affect viticulture and their effects
hot weather and drought
effects = water stress, slower ripening and grapes can shrivel before maturity
what is a viticultural benefit of the lack of rainfall in Spain
fungal disease pressure is low
what is the hierarchy od quality in spain:
highest to lowest:
1. Vinos de Pago
2. DOCa/DOQ
3. DO
4. Vino de la Tierra
What is Vinos de Pago
Vinos de Pagos is a category reserved for prestigious single estates whose work exceeds basic DO requirements. These estates can only use their own grapes which must be grown, vinified and aged on their estate.
what is the most planted red grape in spain
Tempranillo
what is the most planted white grape
Airén
what is the typical vine training in Priorat and what is the geography like
bush trained
most vineyards on steep slopes
what international grape varieties grow successfully in Spain
Cab Sauvignon
Merlot
Sauv Blanc
Chardonnay
traditionally what type of oak is used in Spain
american oak
which white grape varieties are known to make HIGH QUALITY dry wines in spain
Viura in Rioja
Verdejo in Rueda
Albariño in Rìas Baixas
what are the 6 geographical regions of Spain
Upper Ebro
Catalunya
Duero Valley
North West
The Levante
Castilla La Mancha
where is Rias Baixas DO and what is the climate
northwest of Spain
moderate, damp climate
what style of wine and grape is Rias Baixas DO best known for
still dry unoaked white wines based on Albariño
is Albariño resistant to fungal disease
yes, thanks to the thick skin
how is Albariño typically trained in Rias Baixas
pergola system –> lower the humidity
what white grape variety is planted in Rias Baixas that’s also planted in Vinho Verde
Albariño
Albariño from Rias Baixas: aged in oak or stainless steel
usually stainless steel
What are the 2 DOCas of Spain
Rioja DOCa and Priorat DOCa
name all 3 subzones of Rioja DOCa
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Oriental
What are the climate influences of Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa
elevation and atlantic ocean breezes
what is the elevation range for vineyards in Rioja
500-800mt
which one of Rioja’s three subregions is on the south bank of the Ebro and is less Maritime than the other two?
Rioja Oriental
Specifics of Rioja Oriental
annual rainfall is low
Garnacha grows best here and is the main grape
how many white grape varieties are approved for use in white Rioja
9
what is the main white grape of Rioja DOCa
Viura
what is the other name for Viura in Spain, and in which region
Macabeo, in Catalunya
what is the min aging requirement for white and rosado Crianza
min 18 months, including 6 months in oak
what is the min aging requirement for white and rosado Reserva
min 24 months, including 6 months in oak
what is the min aging requirement for white and rosado Gran Reserva
min 48 months, including 6 months in oak
which grapes are traditionally blended with Tempranillo in Rioja
Garnacha –> adds body and alcohol
Graciano –> adds black fruits and tannins + acidity
Cariñena –> adds tannins and acidity
where is Graciano mainly grown in Spain
Rioja DOCa
what is the range of styles Tempranillo can be made into
- Joven/Generico –> punchy fruit, no oak, no aging, occasional semi-carbonic maceration to soften tannins and texture
- Crianza –> light oak and fresh with primary fruits
- Reserva and Gran Reserva –> highly complex. long maturation and controlled oxidation.
Crianza reds (not Rioja or Duero) must be aged for how long
24 months, including 6 months oak
Reserva reds (not Rioja or Duero) must be aged for how long
36 months, including 12 months oak
Gran Reserva reds (not Rioja or Duero) must be aged for how long
60 months, including 18 months oak
besides Rioja, what other wine region produces HQ Tempranillo
Ribera del Duero DO
where is ribera del duero, any ocean influence and where are the vines planted
northern edge of the Meseta
no maritime influence
vines at high altitudes
what styles of wine are allowed to be produced in Ribera del Duero
red, white and rosé
Name the 3 most important DOs of Duero Valley
Ribera del Duero DO
Toro DO
Rueda DO
what styles of wine are produced under the Toro DO
rich concentrated reds based on Tempranillo.
what grape is blended into Toro Joven reds
Garnacha
what is the main grape in Rueda DO
Verdejo
what is Verdejo blended with in Rueda DO
Sauv Blanc
where is Navarra DO located
northeast of Rioja, between Rioja and Pyrenees
Navarra vs Rioja climate
Navarra is cooler and wetter than Rioja
Navarra:
base for reds, white and rosé grapes
reds: Tempranillo
Rosés: Garnacha
Whites: Viura, Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc
what is the general flavour profile for Garnacha in spain
bright red fruit, high alcohol and moderate acidity
which DOs are best known for their Garnacha
Priorat and Navarra
what type of climate to Cariñena and Calatayud have and what is the principal grape
warm continental climate
Garnacha
in which appellations does Carignan perform best in Spain
Priorat
Rioja
where is Catalunya
northeast corner of Spain
name 2 chief DOs in Catalunya producing still wine
Penedès DO
Priorat DOCa
name all 3 local white varieties of Catalunya
Parellada
Xarel-lo
Macabeo
what is the name of Priorat’s unique soil
Llicorella, low fertile soil, good water retention
where is Priorat DOCa located in Spain
in Catalunya
name the 2 main red grapes that go into Priorat
Carignan and Garnacha
why do Garnacha and Cariñena do so well in Priorat
because it has long, hot, dry summers and both are late ripeners
what is the traditional style of red Priorat
Deeply colored, rich, textural, highly complex wines that are full bodied with high alcohol, high tannins, concentrated black fruits that are age-worthy. Most have French oak influence.
are white and rosé allowed under the Priorat DOCa
yes, but uncommon
where is the Penedès DO in Spain
Catalunya, south of Barcelona
what are the 3 climatic zones of Penedès DO
coastal plain
slightly inland
in the hillswh
why is Monastrell particularly well suited to a warm mediterranean climate
thick skin + needs hot sunny climate to ripen. well adapts to drought
where in SPain does Monastrell grow best
in Jumilla DO and Yecla DO
Valencia is known for what style of wine
cheap everyday wines from Monastrell + international
Moscatel de Valencia, sweet fortified wine made from Muscat of Alexandria
what is the local white grape of Valencia DO
Merseguera
what is the largest DO in size in Spain and what is the most planted grape
La Mancha DO
Airén
what is the local name of Tempranillo in La Mancha DO
Cencibel
which international grape varieties are finding success in La Mancha DO
Cab Sauv
Merlot
Syrah
Chardonnay
Sauv Blanc
where is Valdepeñas DO located
south of La Mancha DO
Valdepeñas vs La Mancha: higher quality?
Valdepeñas
what appellation is situated between Galicia and the Meseta central
Bierzo DO
what is the primary grape variety of Bierzo DO
Mencia (red)
the majority of Vinos de Pago are located in which spanish DO
La Mancha DO
red Riojas that are made for early consumption undergo
semi-carbonic maceration
red Riojas that are meant to age undergo
american oak
traditional white riojas are
gold in color, matured in oak, nutty
which region in Spain is designated for the production of Vino de la Tierra
Castilla y Leon
