Spain Flashcards

1
Q

The 3 climates of Spanish wine regions

A

-north of Spain = moderate maritime
-east coast from Catalunya to Levante= warm Mediterranean
-centre of Spain (meseta central) = hot continental as it is cut of from influence of the sea

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2
Q

Biggest challenges of growing grapes in Spain?

A

Heat and lack of water.
Places heavy stress on vines.
Low density , bush trained vines remain the best way of managing the situation by maximising water availability to each vine and shading the fruit from excess heat.

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3
Q

How are inexpensive wines from Spain usually made?

A

Without oak and semi carbonic maceration is often used to enhance the fruity nature of these wines.

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4
Q

Name the 3 most popular grape varieties of Spain

A

Tempranillo
Garnacha Tinta
Monastrell

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5
Q

Other black grapes in Spain:

A

Graciano
Mazuelo
Mencia

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6
Q

Key white varieties and styles in Spain:

A

Fresh and fruity white wines.
Usually picked during the night or early morning and fermenting in temperature controlled stainless steel vats to help retain delicate fruit aromas.

Verdejo
Albariño

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7
Q

Describe a Verdejo

A

White grape variety, highly susceptible to oxidation (was used to make sherry like wines)
With protective wine making practises can be made into light bodied, medium to high acid wine with melon and peach flavours

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8
Q

Albariño

A

Thick skin therefore resistant to fungal disease which is useful in the damp climate it is grown in.
Albariño is naturally high in acidity with citrus and stone fruit flavours. Can be made in a richer, full bodied style

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9
Q

Other white grape variety’s in Spain

A

Airen -can cope with extreme heat and drought of the meseta central

Viura- unoaked style with subtle herb and spice aromas

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10
Q

International varieties in Spain:

A

Cabernet Savignon
Merlot
Savignon Blanc
Chardonnay

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11
Q

The 6 Principal DO regions of Spain

A

Upper Ebro
Catalunya
The Duero Valley
The North West
The Levante
Castilla La Mancha

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12
Q

Most important region for Vino de la Tierra?

A

Castilla y Leon

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13
Q

The Upper Ebro..what are its 3 distinct sub regions?

A

Rioja Alavesa- lightest, often with the most finesse

Rioja Alta- 500 -800 m above sea level with climates moderated by the Atlantic Ocean.

Rioja Oriental- hot summers and severe winters. Drought is an issue due to low rainfall.

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14
Q

Which mountain range shields Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic Weather?

A

The Cantabrian Mountains

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15
Q

Most widely planted grape variety of the upper Ebro (Rioja) ?

A

Tempranillo
-red fruit flavour medium tannin

Benefits from being blending with Garnacha for body and alcohol

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16
Q

Wine making practises in Rioja?

A

Range of styles
Fresh and fruity wines made for early drinking may utilise using semi carbonic maceration.
-red fruit flavour low tannins

Wines made for ageing are usually:
Destemmed and crushed
Undergo traditional fermentation
Vigorous cap management techniques to extract colour and flavour
Oak maturation has a defining role in Rioja (traditionally American but many now using French for more subtlety)

17
Q

The other region within the upper Ebro?

A

Navarra

18
Q

Climate of Navarra?

A

Cooler and wetter than Rioja near the Pyrenees mountains.

19
Q

Most planted varieties of Navarra?

A

Tempranillo - usually blended with Cabernet Savignon and Merlot
Garnacha -for Rose production

Viura, Chardonnay and Sav Blanc also found here

20
Q

Other DO’s of the Upper Ebro ?

A

Carinena and Calatayud
Warm continental climate, low rainfall

21
Q

Main grape varieties and wine styles of Carinena and Calatayud

A

Garnacha is main variety in both regions.
Inexpensive wines made in early drinking style , higher quality wines also made but usually using old vines and a blend of Garnacha and Carinena (Carignan)

22
Q

Wine in Catalunya?

A

Nearly all Cava is made in Catalunya.
There is also a generic DO for still wines that covers the entire region.
This came into existence largely to allow blending of wines from various regions to make significant volumes of wine.

23
Q

Other areas in Catalunya?

A

Penedes and Priorat

24
Q

What’s particularly interesting about Penedes in Catalunya?

A

Varied climate so a wide variety of styles can be made.
-lots of grapes planted for cava but also Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, gerwurtztraminer, Merlot, cab Sav and Tempranillo

25
Q

What are the wines of Priorat in Catalunya like?

A

Expensive as bush vines and steep slopes are hard to manage.
Deeply coloured, high tannins, medium to high alcohol, concentrated black fruit and some toasty aromas from French oak.
-Garnacha and Carinena remain the core of the blends.

26
Q

The 3 wine making areas of the Duero Valley

A

Ribera del Duero
Toro
Rueda

27
Q

Wine from Ribera del Duero?

A

It’s a DO for red, whites and rose but mostly red wines from Tempranillo are dominant here.

Garnacha is grown here and used in dry rose.

Vineyards planted at high altitude which ensures cool night time temperatures so grapes retain acidity and fresh fruit flavours

28
Q

Wines from Toro , Duero Valley ?

A

Mostly dry reds made from Tempranillo. Full bodied with intense fruit flavours and high alcohol as a result of high temperatures and sunny warm conditions here

29
Q

Wines from Rueda in the Duero Valley?

A

WHITE WINE FOCUS
Verdejo and Savignon Blanc

Blends must have at least 50 percent Verdejo

30
Q

The two vineyard areas in The North West?

A

Rias Baixas
Bierzo

31
Q

Wines from Rias Baixas?

A

Most famous Albariño.
Moderate, damp climate.
Mildew and rot common vineyard problem.
Vines are trained on pergolas for air circulation.
Most Albariño made in a refreshing unoaked style, high acidity and ripe stone fruit flavours

Some are made in richer styles with a touch of oak or lees stirring

32
Q

Wines from Bierzo?

A

Red wine.
Key grape variety here is Mencia -elegant red wines with naturally high acidity and red fruit aromas. Many of the best come from vineyards on steep slopes from old vines.

33
Q

The two subregions of the Levante?

A

Valencia
Jumilla and Yecla

34
Q

Wines of Valencia?

A

Value for money wines.
Monastrell is the most planted red grape.
Merseguera dominates white plantings although there is some muscat of Alexandria used to produce the local sweet fortified wine ‘Moscatel de Valencia’

35
Q

Wines of Jumilla and Yecla?

A

Hot climate perfect for Monastrell. Youthful and fruity style

36
Q

Two subregions of Castilla La Mancha

A

La Mancha
Valdepenas

37
Q

Wines of La Mancha

A

Most widely planted grape is Airen used for fresh, neutral white wines.

38
Q

Wines of Valdepenas?

A

Airen is most widely planted here.
Tempranillo main grape variety for red wines. Either as a varietal or blended.
Wines range from fruity to more concentrated and oak matured

39
Q

Wines of Valdepenas?

A

Airen is most widely planted here.
Tempranillo main grape variety for red wines. Either as a varietal or blended.
Wines range from fruity to more concentrated and oak matured