Spain Flashcards
The three wines regions in North Central Spain
Navarra
Rioja
Aragón
Mountain ranges north of Rioja
Pyranesse Mountains in the NE
Cantabrian Mountains in the NW
they create a rain-shadow effect
River that flows through La Rioja
The Ebro river
What year did Rioja get DOCa?
1991
The four blending grapes allowed to be blended together with Tempranillo in Rioja red wines
Graciano
Garnacha
Manzuelo
Maturana Tinta
The five blending grapes must comprise a minimum percentage of ___ for red wines in rioja.
Must comprise a minimum 85% of the red Rioja blend, or 95% if destemmed.
Allowed oak barrel size for Rioja
225L maximum
Dominant white grapes of rioja
what are the other allowable white grapes?
Viura (dominant white grape)
Garnacha Blanca
Malvasía Riojano
Maturana Blanca.
Chardonnay, Tempranillo Blanco, Sauvignon Blanc, Turruntés, and Verdejo are the only other white grapes permitted in blends.
Three subzones of La Rioja
Rioja Alavesa is the smallest & northernmost.
Carbonic maceration may be employed for such wines.
Rioja Alta is the southwestern zone (slightly warmer climate zone)
Rioja Oriental, the hottest subregion, south eastern
Soils of La rioja
Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa have high proportion of calcareous clay,
Rioja Oriental contains more alluvial soils and ferrous clay.
What are ‘mallas’ and why are they important for Rioja wine bottles?
Mallas are a gold mesh in which many rioja bottles were wrapped in. This tradition began towards the end of the 19th century, by Marques de Riscal, as a form of protection against counterfeiting.
Rioja DOCa in fact traverses what four autonomous communities?
La Rioja
Basque Country
Navarra
Castilla y Leon
The Najerilla and Oja rivers are tributaries of which larger river?
The Ebro River, in Rioja Alta.
Both rivers form valleys where many of Rioja Alta’s grapes are harvested. Vineyards in the Oja Valley feature a higher concentration of chalky, alluvial soils, while those further east in the Najerilla Valley lie on iron-rich clay.
Which of the following practices is common in Rioja Alavesa?
a) co-fermentation
b) whole cluster fermentation
c) carbonic maceration
d) chaptalization
c) carbonic maceration
Rioja Alavesa has a tradition for carbonic-macerated Tempranillo that predates the introduction of Bordelais techniques.
Which of Rioja’s subzones will typically be the first to harvest?
Rioja Oriental.
It is drier and hotter than both Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa.
Garnacha does well here.
What does garnacha contribute to the red wines of Spain?
Garnacha contributes alcohol, body and fruitiness.
This is a common blending grape for tempranillos, especially in years that tempranillos don’t ripen correctly.
What does graciano contribute to red wines?
Graciano contributes acidity, tannin, and exotic spice flavors
What is the other common name for Mazuelo?
Cariñena
In which subzone of Rioja do Haro and Logroño sit?
Rioja Alta.
Haro sits in the far west, bordering Rioja Alavesa.
Logroño sits in the east, bordering Rioja Oriental.
True or Falsa:
Tempranillo is the only grape allowed to be used in single-varietal rioja red wines.
False,
the appellation allows for other varietal red wines
How long must rioja espumosos age on sur lie for prior to bottling?
a minimum 15 months sur lie
Malvasia is a common blending grape for which type of wine?
White wines from rioja.
It is often blended with Viura.
Which of the following is not allowed by the Consejo Regulador of Rioja DOCa?
a) wines labeled according to village name
b) single vineyard wines
c) tradition method sparkling wines.
d) the use of international red varietals for dry red wines.
d) the use of international red varietals for dry red wines.
Only the 5 authorized grapes may be used in the production of single-varietal or blended red wines from Rioja DOCa.
Single vineyard Rioja wines must follow what regulations?
-must come from vines that are at least 35 yrs. old.
-must be hand harvested
-vines must achieve a lower yield, almost 30% less.
-Must pass a tasting panel.
A Rioja espumante label Gran Añada must age how long on sur lie prior to disgorgement?
36 months
(24 months for reserva)
Spain sits atop this large plateau, elevated about 660 meters above sea level.
What is the name of this plateau?
What mountain ranges that surround it?
Why is this significant for the Spanish wine industry?
The MESETA central.
It is surrounded by:
1) Sierra de Cantabria NW & Pyrenees NE
2) Sierra Morena on the south.
3) Sierra de Gredos to the west
4) Sistema Iberico on the east.
5) Sistema Central crosses it SW to NE, dividing the meseta in two.
This is important because it creates a diversity of microclimates and terroirs throughout the entire country.
Describe how Spain’s climate varies from north to south.
In the north, what is known as ‘green spain’, experiences a MARITIME climate, with heavy rain and warm summers.
Central spain, known as ‘la meseta’, experiences a CONTINENTAL climate, with very hot summers and low rainfall.
Southern spain, experiences a MEDITERRANEAN climate, with hot summers and rain is very scarce here.
Describe the quality pyramid of spanish wines.
from lowest to highest
PGIs
-vino de la mesa: can bear no region on the label, but can state vintage and varietal.
-vino de la tierra: must be made within a confined area, such as one of the autonomous regions. 85% of the grapes must come from that area.
PDOs
-Vino de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VC or VCIG)
-Denominación de Origen (DO)
-Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa)
-Vino de Pago (VP).
What is VINO DE PAGO and how are they different from DO’s?
Vino de pago is a designation awarded to a ‘single estate’ that may fall within or outside the boundaries of an existing DO.
To qualify for this, the following are musts
-vineyards are owned by the winery
-must be estate bottled
-the estate must be in production at least 10 yrs prior to applying.
In theory, a Vino de Pago should transcend the quality of wines vinified in its broader DO, should there be one, or at least show distinction.
VINOS DE PAGO
1) When was it created?
2) How many are currently in spain?
3) Which estate was the first to receive this DO?
4) which estate is the newest to receive this DO?
1) In 2003
2) 25 estates
3) Dominio de Valdepusa in “03
4) Rosalejo, in “24
What are the aging designations for wines that fall under the DO and DOCg classification?
What important river form a natural border between galicia and portugal
the mino/minho river
Name the five wine regions that make up Galicia.
Riax Baixas
Ribeiro
Ribeira Sacra
Valdeoras
Monterei
Define ‘pazo’
The local name for an estate in rias baixas
Prior to being called Rias Baixas DO, what name was originally given to this denomination, and why was it changes to Rias Baixas?
In the 1980’s, this DO was enacted as Albariño DO, but it was forced to change its name to Rias Baixas DO upon Spain’s admission into the European Union.
According to EU law, varietal appellation names are forbidden.
It is named for the “low estuaries” that flow through the region before eventually reaching the ocean,
What is the dominant soil type of Rias Baixas?
GRANITE. also known as xabre.
This soil is low water retention, which serves well for the humid, wet climate of Rias Baixas
Five subzones of Rias Baixas
Val do Salnés: Largest and most historic
Ribeira do Ulla: most northern, and inland.
Soutomaior: Smallest and coastal
O Rosal: Coastal and borders Portugal
Condado do Tea: Inland and borders Portugal.
Where is Val do Salnes?
describe the type of wine made here
Val do Salnes is a coastal subzone of Rias Baixas. It is the largest, coldest and wettest.
Albariños here are often identified for having a marked salinity characteristic.
Rías Baixas wines (with the exception of Soutomaior) can be labeled by subzone.
If a producer decides to label their wine by subzone (rather than by varietal), what are the rules regarding each subzone’s allowable blend?
Condado de Tea: Mostly albariño & treixadura blends.
O Rosal: Mostly albariño & loureira blends.
Val do Salnes & Ribeira do Ulla: blends albariño, Loureira, Treixadura and Caíño Blanco.
Selected grapes must make at least 70% of the blends and be sourced entirely from the selected subzone.
What method must be used to in order for a wine to be labeled as ‘Rias Baixas Espumoso’?
The champagne traditional method.
In which DO of Rias baixas would most likely have red wine production?
Condado de Tea, it is the warmest and driest subzone of Rias Baixas.
What system of vine training is typically used in Rias Baixas?
Why is this training system important to use?
It is called a Parral or Pergola system.
This system of training protects the fruit from the region’s marginal weather, enables greater airflow to combat milder and rot, encourages greater photosynthesis and ripening by maximizing leaf surface, and protects grapes from sunburn.
What is the percentage of albariño that must be used to be labeled as
“Rias Baixas Albariño” ?
100% Albariño
White Grapes of Rias Baixas
Albariño
Loureira
Treixadura
Caíño Blanco
Torrontés
Godello
Name the red grapes that are grown in Riax Baixas.
Caiño Tinto
Espadeiro
Mencía
Sousón
Brancellao
Two important rivers to Rias Baixas viticulture
The Ulla river in the north
The Mino river in the south
Two important rivers of Galicia?
The Sil river
The Mino river
What is vino tostado? Where is it produced?
Vino Tostado is a naturally sweet wine whose production involves a process of natural raisining of grapes.
-Must be aged in cherry or oak casks
-Minimum 13% abv
It is produced in the Ribeiro DO, in Galicea.
White wines of Ribeiro are mostly made from what preferred grape?
Treixadura
The subzone of Amandi forms one of the five subzones of which DO?
Ribeira Sacra.
Amandi is most historic and most often viewed as highest in quality.
What wine is mostly produced in Ribeira Sacra? What is the main varietal here.
Ribeira Sacra produces predominantly red wines, with Mencia as the main grape.
What is Merenzao?
A red varietal for red wines from Ribeira Sacra.
Merenzao can also known as Bastardo in portugal and Trousseau Noir in the USA.
Which DO is named the Valley of Gold?
What are the main grapes of this region?
Valdeorras.
Godello for white wines
Mencia for red wines.
Only these two grapes are allowed for varietal labeled wines of Valdeorras.
Describe the soil and climate of Valdeorras.
Valdeorras has a continental climate rather than a maritime climate like the rest of Galicia, with drier & hotter summers.
The region is largely associated with slate soil.
Bodegas Godeval produces wines from which region?
Valdeorras.
This winery was founded in 1986, and was the winery that rescued and produced the first single varietal Godello.
What was the ReViVal project?
A project to rescue the godello grape from extinction.
This project was led by Horacio Fernandez, founder of bodegas Godeval.
RE.VI.VAL (Restructuring of the Vineyards of Valdeorras)
What wine is produced in Monterrei?
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.
Define Chacolí.
Chacolí (Txakoli) is a light bodied, white wine, sometimes spritzy, from the Basque region of northern Spain.
Hondarrabi Zuri (Ondarrabi Zuri) is the grape used to make this wine.
DO’s allowed for the production of Txakoli
three Txakoli DOs:
-Txakoli de Getaria (Getariako Txakolina)
——- gained DO in 1989, oldest one
-Txakoli de Bizkaia (Bizkaiko Txakolina)
——- gained DO in 1994
-and Txakoli de Álava (Arabako Txakolina).
——- gained DO in 2001, youngest one
What is the name of the red grape used for Txacoli red wines?
Hondarrabi Beltza
Describe Castilla y Leon’s location and climate
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. Much of Castilla y León is susceptible to a dramatic continental climate, matching scorching summers with frigid winters. Frost can be a challenge at both the beginning of the growing season and harvest, as can drought in the hotter months.
DO’s of Castilla y Leon
1) Bierzo (most northern)
2) Tierra de Leon
3) Arlanza (north of RdD)
9) Ribera del Duero
4) Arribes (on the
portuguese border)
5) Tierra del vino de
Zamora
6) Toro
7) Rueda
8) Cigales
Where is Bierzo DO situated?
Bierzo is situated in the northern part of CyL, next to Valdeorras in Galicia; hence why this region has more in common with Galician wines rather than CyL wines. The Sil rivers runs through it.
Bierzo wines are made primarily from what grape?
Mencia,
When did Bierzo gain DO, and who are credited for getting it to this status?
Bierzo was given DO in 1989, largely thanks for Jose Luis Prada, and later, to Alvaro Palacios and his nephew.
Describe the landscape of Bierzo.
The landscape of Bierzo forms an amphitheater, stretching from around 450 to 800 meters in elevation and dividing the region into two general unofficial zones: 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. Old vines can be found throughout the region, though are mostly owned in small plots, requiring producers to piece together sources from many growers.
Describe Bierzo’s vineyard classification system.
Enacted in 2017, full vineyard quality pyramid.
Vino de la Region
Vino de Villa (village wine) category
Vino de Paraje (designated to specific parcels.)
Those parajes might further be deemed to produce either Vino de Viña Clasificada (essentially a classified cru wine) or Gran Vino de Viña Clasificada (or grand cru).
Bierzo red wines, roses and white wines.
Mencia, Garnacha Tintorera, Estaldiña, and Merenzao, must contribute a minimum 85% to Bierzo’s red wines.
Mencía must also compose at least 50% of any rosado.
White wines of Bierzo are mostly made from Godello and Doña Blanca, though Malvasía and Palomino are permitted, too.
In 1970, which region was resurrected thanks to the works of Marques de Riscal and Emile Peynaud?
Rueda.
What is the dominant grape of Rueda DO?
Verdejo
Describe the soil of Rueda and the climate
high portion of limestone and gravel. Very continental climate
Wines of Rueda
Whites must be composed of a minimum 50% Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc.
They are bountiful in orchard fruit flavor and a refreshing stoniness.
Red wines are made predominantly of tempranillo.
Sparkling wines are also made. If labeled ‘Gran añada’, must see min. 36 months of aging or longer surlie.
Define ‘palido’ wines
A dry, fortified wine from Rueda, made from the Palomino Fino and/or Verdejo varietals. Traditionally made via biological aging that must be left in oak barrels for at least 3 years before bottling. Minimum 15% abv.
Who is Don Eloy Lecanda y Chavez?
The founder of Vega Sicilia. He is credited for being the person that saw the potential RdD had to produce good quality red wines in 1864.
Name the winery in RdD founded by the following men?
a) Peter Sissick
b) Don Eloy Lecanda y Chavez?
c) Alejandro Fernandez
a) Peter Sissick founded Pingus
b) Don Eloy Lecanda y Chavez founded Vega Sicilia
c) Alejandro Fernandez founded Pesquera
Ribera del Duero topogrophy
Has over 30 types of identified soils throughout the region, limestone being the dominant soil.
The climate gets warmer as you move from east to west.
A uniform elevation, normally between 700-1,000 feet, allowing for diurnal swings.
What type of climate does Ribera del Duero experience?
a) Continental
b) Maritime
c) Mediterranean
Continental climate.
RdD has extreme continental climate, its summers swelteringly hot, its winters icy cold.
Frost and hail are major challenges.
What is the local name for tempranillo in Ribera del Duero?
Tinta del pais or Tinto Fino, make up 95% of all plantings.
Aside from tempranillo (tinta del pais) what is the only other authorize Spanish varietal for red wines in RdD?
a) Graciano c) Garnacha
b) Mencia d) Manzuelo
c) Garnacha
Internation varietal such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec are also permitted.
The four main wine growing regions of Rivera del Duero?
Burgos
Valladolid
Soria
Segovia
True or False:
White wines are not allow to be produced in Ribera del Duero DO; only reds.
False.
As of 2019, the consejo allowed for white wines to be produced in Ribera del Duero DO. The grape used here is Albillo Mayor.
Roses and clarettes are now allowed as well.
Requirements for red and white wines from Ribera del Duero.
Red wines must be composed of a minimum of 95% authorized red grapes, with a minimum of 75% devoted to Tempranillo.
Albillo must comprise a minimum 75% of whites.
Which of the following is NOT an authorized blending grape for Ribera del Duero red wines.
a) Malbec c) Merlot
b) Cabernet Franc d) Albillo Mayor
b) Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon is though.
Toro DO is surrounded by which two regions on the east and on the west?
On the west is Tierra del vino de Zamorra
On the East is Rueda
What is Tinta del Toro?
The local name for tempranillo in Toro DO.
Define Bull’s blood.
This is the nickname for Toro red wines.
Toro can be comparatively massive in flavor and alcohol when juxtaposed with Rioja or even Ribera del Duero, earning the moniker “bull’s blood”
What are the two allowed red varietals for Toro red wines?
Tempranillo and Garnacha
Wines must be either 75% Tempranillo or 85% Garnacha.
Why are Toro tempranillos considered to be bolder and fuller than RdD and Toro tempranillos?
Phenolics are higher in the Toro variant, producing wines which are deeper colored and more tannic than Rioja and most Ribera del Duero wines.
Name the four major DO’s of Castilla y Leon, and their most important varietal.
Ribera del Duero: tinta de pais
Toro: tinta de toro
Rueda: verdejo
Bierzo: mencia
Which DO of Castilla y Leon is on the border of Portugal and Spain?
Arribes DO.
What is the most planted grape of Tierra de Vinos de Zamorra DO?
Tempranillo, must account for 75% of all red wines.
Arlanza DO is situated North of ____________.
Red wines must be ___% tempranillo
Ribera del Duero.
Arlanza has more clay soils than limestones, which is a major difference between it and RdD.
50% tempranillos
Cigales DO is known for what style of wine?
Roses, or Rosados.
Leon DO (tierra de Leon until 2019), is most distinguished for its cultivation what indigenous red?
Prieto Picudo.
An oval shaped grape, that produces light colored, aromatic red wines with high acidity. about 70% of Leon’s vineyards are dedicated to this varietal.
What are the main varietals in Arribes DO?
The main grapes are reds Bruñal and its progeny Juan García. Bruñal yields ample-bodied wines with intense berry flavors, while Juan García veers more herbal and aromatic.
What can you tell me about the following regions:
Arribes DO
Tierra de vinos de Zamorra DO
Cigales DO
Leon DO
Arlanza DO
Arribes DO: on the POR boarder, makes reds from Bruñal & Juan Garcia
Tierra de vinos de Zamorra DO: West of Arribes, makes red from min. 75% Tempranillo.
Cigales DO: In the center of Spain, known for its roses from any approved varietal.
Leon DO: In northern CyL, makes light bodied reds from Picudo Prieto.
Arlanza DO: North of RdD, makes red min. 50% tinta del pais.
Ribera del Duero aging requirements
Rioja aging requirements
Roses from Navarro are produced from what grape?
Garnacha
What method must be used to produce rosados in Navarra?
The DO mandates that rosados are produced using the saignée method and forbids direct pressing, arguing that it reduces complexity.
Serious red wines from Navarra will most like be produced from what grape(s)?
Old Vine Garnacha and Tempranillo
What kind of wine was Navarra once known for?
It’s deep colored rosados (roses) until the boom for provencal roses come to be.
In which DO are the subzones of Valdizarbe and Ribera Alta?
Navarra DO (5 subzones)
- Baja Montana in the NE
- Valdizarbe in the north
- Tierra Estella in the NW
- Ribera Alta in the center
- Ribera Baja in the south
Which of the following DO’s is heavily dedicate to garnacha plantings?
a) Leon DO
b) Calatayud DO
c) Murcia DO
d) Ribera del Guardiana DO
b) Calatayud DO
Calatayud necessitates a minimum 35 years for wines designated Viñas Viejas, or “old vines.”
Name the four DO’s of Aragon.
Calatayud - the largest
Cariñena
Campo de Borja
Somontano - the newest
In order for Calatayud to be label their wines Viñas Viejas, how old must the vines be and from what varietal?
35 yr. old Garnacha vines.
50 yrs. minimum in order to be labeled Calatayud Superior.
What is the principle grape for red wines from Campo de Borja?
Garnacha
Define Parraleta and where would this most commonly be found?
Parraleta is a dark-skinned red varietal that produces wines of deep color, good acidity and high tannins.
This grape is native to the Somontano DO of Aragon.
It is often blended with Moristel, another native grape.
In Portugal, it is known as Tinta Caiada
True or False:
Cariñena is the main grape of Cariñena DO?
False,
Athough Cariñena does grow in Cariñena DO, the prominent grape here is Garnacha.
What was Josep Raventós i Fatjó’s contribution to the wine industry of Spain?
Josep Raventós i Fatjó went to France and brought with him the traditional method of making champagne. He put to practice what he learned in France, and in 1872, made the first Spanish sparkling wine in Penedes using the traditional method.
In which DO is Sant Sadurní d’Anoi?
In Penedes DO.
This town serves as the industrial center of Spain’s sparkling wine; Cava.
Which of the following techniques is not a common practice in CAVA production?
a) Riddling
b) Sur lie aging
c) Liqueur de Tirage
d) Dosage
a) Riddling
Disgorgement is carried out via the Gyropalette, rather than hand riddling, in order to perform remuage as fast as three days, rather than weeks.
How many autonomous regions of Spain are allowed to produce Cava?
Seven
Catalonia La Rioja
Valencia Navarra
Aragon Extremadura
Basque Country
What are the authorized white grapes for Cava production?
Parellada
Macabeo
Xarel·lo
Chardonnay
Malvasía
Which grapes are authorized for Cava rosado (rose)?
Pinot Noir
Monastrell
Garnacha Tinta
Trepat
True or False:
Cava rosado can be made using any of the following three mehtods;
Saignee / Blending / Brief Maceration
True, all three methods are allowed for Cava roses.
How long must Cava age on lees in order to receive the Gran Reserva classification?
30 month on less
A Cava that is aged for 25 months on surlie can only qualify for what classification?
Reserva.
Minimum 18 months, no more than 29 months. Otherwise it will be labeled as gran reserva.
Prior to which step of the Traditional Method must the sur-lie aging take place?
Prior to disgorgement, once the wine has been injected with the liquer de tirage.
What makes a Cava classify for ‘Paraje Calificado?
Must originate from a single parcel whose vines are at least 10 yrs. old.
Wines must be vintage dated, unacidified, and aged in bottle for a minimum 36 months before being disgorged.
Wines must also adhere to stricter yields, hand-harvesting, and quality control.
Applies exclusively to brut, extra brut, and brut nature wines.
what is the Corpinnat association?
An association of sparkling wine producers that no longer wish to be a part of Cava DO, in order to strive for higher quality wines.
The name Corpinnat is formed by the combination of two Spanish words and means “heart of Penedès.”
Producers of Corpinnat
Gramona
Sabaté i Coca
Mas Candí
Ilopart
Torelló
Nadal
Huguet de Can Feixes
Recaredo
Julia Bernet
Descregut
Pardas
Bufadors
In what year did Priorat receive DOCa?
in 2009, following Rioja’s upgrade in 1991.
Who is Rene Barbier, and what was his contribution to the Spanish wine culture?
Rene Barbier is a Spanish winemaker who saw the potential Priorat has to make outstanding wines, so he recruited 4 of his friends to plants vineyards and make 5 different expressions. Rene Barbier is credited for being the one who put Priorat in the world of wines.
Who were the Gang of Five that gave credibility to Priorat wines?
René Barbier (Clos Mogador)
Álvaro Palacios (Clos Dofí, now Finca Dofí)
Daphne Glorian (Clos Erasmus)
José Luis Pérez (Clos Martinet, now Mas Martinet)
Carlos Pastrana & Mariona Jarque (Clos de l’Obac)
How many villages are allowed to be put on a label of Vi di Vila wines?
12 villages
La Morera de Montsant Gratallops
Bellmunt del Priorat Escaladei
Porrera Poboleda
La Vilella Baixa La Vilella Alta
Masos del Terme de Falset El Lloar
Solanes del Terme de El Molar
Torroja del Priorat
What DO’s of Spain are allowed to make ‘single village’ wines?
Four
Rioja, Priorat, Bierzo and Rueda
Where is Licorella soil found?
Priorat.
Composed of schistose mica and quartzite, licorella soil allows roots to stretch deep to find water, and its reflective black-red surface radiates heat back onto the vines, similar to the Mosel’s blue slate.
Define Vi di Vila
The Vi de Vila are single village wines from Priorat DOCa.
Vi de Vila wines must hold 60% Garnacha and Cariñena, or 50% if only one is included in the blend.
What are the two main red varietals for Priorat Red wines.
Garnacha and Cariñena
What are the tiers of Priorat’s wine classification system?
From top to bottom
Gran vinya classificada (Grand cru)
Vinya classificada (Premier cru)
Vi de paratge (climats or lieu-dits)
Vi di Vila (village wines)
Regional wines
What does the term ‘velles vinyes’ signify and in which region of Spain will you find this on a label?
Velles Vinyes signifies a wine from Priorat that is made from vines that are 75 years old (or planted before 1945).
What is the main grape used for Priorat blanco?
Garnacha Blanca
Monsant DO surround what other denomination?
It surrounds Priorat DOCa completely.
Makes very good Garnacha and Cariñena blends, at lower prices than Priorat.
How many DO’s are part of the Catalonian region?
9 DO’s and 1 DOCa
Define ‘Raimat’
Raimat is a subzone of the Costers del Segre DO, in Catalonia.
Manuel Raventós of Codorníu rehabilitated this region in 1914 with advanced tech, and identified the grapes best suited for this region.
Where is Alella DO situated?
In Catalonio, north east of Barcelona.
The region is known for its sauló soils, a sandy granite topsoil.
It used to be known for its sweet wines, but now it has built a reputation for white wines made mainly from xarello and garnacha blanca.
Xare-llo here is also known as ‘pansa blanca’
Where is Emporda DO?
a) Castilla La Mancha
b) Castilla y Leon
c) Canary Islands
d) Catalunya
d) Catalunya
Emporda DO is the most northern DO in spain, at the very north east tip of Catalunya. It is surrounded by The pyreness in the north and the med. sea in the east. Rousillon is opposite of it.
Aside from Valencia DO, name the other two denominations of the region of Valencia.
Alicante DO and Utiel-Requena DO.
What is the main red varietal of Alicante DO?
Monastrell, producing some full bodied reds. The grape accounts for roughly 75% of the vineyard area.
Alicante produces a dessert wine called _________, made from Monastrell grapes. This wine is produced in a style very similar to ________.
Alicante produces a dessert wine called FONDILLON, made from Monastrell grapes. This wine is produced in a style very similar to SHERRY (minus the fortification).
Bobal is mostly associated with which denomination?
a) Alicante c) Emporda
b) Utiel-Requena d) Yecla
b) Utiel-Requena
This grape, produces full-bodied red wines with a rustic, earthy tannic structure complemented by a bright acidity
Yecla, Jumilla and Bullas DO’s are part of which autonomous region?
What is the main grape grown in all three DO’s?
MURCIA (south of Valencia).
Monastrell reigns here.
Min. 85% in Jumilla reds & roses
Min. 60% in Bullas reds & roses
No min. in Yelcas reds & roses
100% for vinos de licor
Vinos de licor made from 100% monastrell will most likely come from which DO?
a) Jumilla c) Campo de Borja
b) Priorat d) Navarra
a) Jumilla
What are ‘sobremadre wines’?
Where is this style of wine from?
Sobremadre wines: The special production process of this wines generates endogenic carbonic gas. It’s produced by the fermentation of the juice together with the must, stems and crushed grapes. It is never racked. It’s kept together for no longer than 180 days.
(sobremadre, juice is fermented over the mother [must])
This style of winemaking is practiced in Vinos de Madrid DO.
Cencibel is the local name for tempranillo in which region of Spain?
Castilla La Mancha, specifically La Mancha DO.
Denominations of Castilla La Mancha
Eight DO appellations are located here:
La Mancha Almansa
Ribera del Júcar Manchuela
Méntrida Mondéjar
Uclés Valdepeñas.
In which DO of Castilla La Mancha will you most likely find wines made from Bobal?
Manchuela DO.
This DO borders Utiel-Requena.
What is the dominant white varietal of La Mancha DO?
a) sauvignon blanc c) Xare-llo
b) viura d) Airen
d) Airen
It produces old fashioned, fruity wines made for early consumption.
Where in Spain is Extremadura? What is the DO there?
Extremadura is situated in the south-west border of Spain with Portugal (it is east of Portugal’s Alentejo region.)
The only DO here is Ribera del Guadiana DO. It permits a diversity of wines and styles.
What is the french name for Monastrell?
Mouvedre
Where is ‘albariza’ soil?
In Andalucia, a chalky soil
The origins of winegrowing in the Iberian Peninsula begin in which region?
Andalucia, with the arrival of the Phoenicians.
What are the two DO’s of Andalucia dedicated to the production of Sherry?
Jerez-Xérès-Sherry and Montilla-Moriles.
Two major styles of wine from Condado de Huelva?
pálido and viejo.
Condado Pálido (or “pale”) is the lighter of the two, aged biologically under flor like a Fino Sherry, and similarly fortified to approximately 15.5% alcohol.
Condado Viejo (or “old”) is the more distinctive. Fortified between 17 and 22% alcohol, the wines are aged oxidatively and better resemble Oloroso Sherry at their finest.
What is the difference between the Malaga DO & Sierras de Malaga DO?
Malaga DO is designated for sweet wines
Sierras de Malaga DO is designated for dry wines.
Which is the prominent grape of Condado de Huelva?
a) vijiriego c) cencibel
b) palomino d) zalema
d) zalema
Zalema is the only variety permitted in the youthful Vino Blanco Joven of Condado de Huelva and is one of four grapes allowed in the aged Vino Blanco Viejo.
Serranía de Ronda is the primary source of what type of wine?
a) Sierras de Malaga dry wines
b) Condado de huelva ‘palidos’
c) Rancio wines made from monastrell
d) Sobremadre wines
a) Sierras de Malaga dry wines
Dry wines have less than 12 grams of R.S per liter.
Aged for a minimum of two years (six months in oak)
Vineyards here are at high elevations.
Romé is a native grape to which region?
Malaga.
Romé is a red grape used to make dry red wines from Sierras de Malaga DO.
‘Vino de Licor’ is another name for what style of wine?
Fortified wines of Spain.
Which of the following is NOT a fortified wine?
a) Vino Maestro
b) Vino de Uvas Sobremaduradas
c) Vino Tierno
d) Vino Dulce Natural
b) Vino de Uvas Sobremaduradas
a late harvest wine of Malaga DO made from overripe grapes left to dehydrate on the vine
When did Granada gain DO status?
in 2021, making it Spain’s newest DO.
What is Vijiriego?
A native white grape grown in Granada and the Canary Islands.
In Granada, sparkling wines must contain minimum 70% Vijiriego
What are the two main Spanish archipelagos for wine production?
The Canary Islands & The Balearic Islands
The DO’s of Binissalem and Pla i Llevant are found in which Balearic Island?
a) Ibiza c) Mallorca
b) Formentera d) Menorca
c) Mallorca
Both have mediterranean climates.
Both make dry and sweet wines.
Red Manto Negro and white Moll are the most prized grapes
What is the Canary Islands’ most planted varietal?
Listán Blanco (Palomino)
It yields semi-aromatic dry whites of medium body, with a subtle nutty, savory profile.
Which is the largest of the Canary Islands?
Tenerife
It is home to five DO’s.
-Tacoronte-Acentejo -Valle de la Orotava -Ycoden-Daute-Isora -Abona
-Valle de Güímar
In which island is the use of ‘hoyos’ a common practice?
a) Tenerife c) Menorca
b) Lanzarote d) La Gomera
b) Lanzarote
Vines are rooted in hoyos, pits deep enough to penetrate a layer of subsoil that can carry sufficient moisture for the plants. Hoyos are quite wide, approx. 10 meters in diameter to 5 meters in depth. Each hoyo houses just one or two vines. Helps shelter the vines from fiercely hot and humid winds from the west that would shrivel their berries and coat them in the ash.
This practice is more common in the subzone of ‘La Geria’.
What are rancio wines
Dry (and sometimes sweet) wines that are aged in an oxidative manner.
