Spain Flashcards
The 3 climates of Spanish wine regions
-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
Biggest challenges of growing grapes in Spain?
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.
How are inexpensive wines from Spain usually made?
Without oak and semi carbonic maceration is often used to enhance the fruity nature of these wines.
Name the 3 most popular grape varieties of Spain
Tempranillo
Garnacha Tinta
Monastrell
Other black grapes in Spain:
Graciano
Mazuelo
Mencia
Key white varieties and styles in Spain:
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
Describe a Verdejo
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
Albariño
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
Other white grape variety’s in Spain
Airen -can cope with extreme heat and drought of the meseta central
Viura- unoaked style with subtle herb and spice aromas
International varieties in Spain:
Cabernet Savignon
Merlot
Savignon Blanc
Chardonnay
The 6 Principal DO regions of Spain
Upper Ebro
Catalunya
The Duero Valley
The North West
The Levante
Castilla La Mancha
Most important region for Vino de la Tierra?
Castilla y Leon
The Upper Ebro..what are its 3 distinct sub regions?
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.
Which mountain range shields Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic Weather?
The Cantabrian Mountains
Most widely planted grape variety of the upper Ebro (Rioja) ?
Tempranillo
-red fruit flavour medium tannin
Benefits from being blending with Garnacha for body and alcohol
Wine making practises in Rioja?
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)
The other region within the upper Ebro?
Navarra
Climate of Navarra?
Cooler and wetter than Rioja near the Pyrenees mountains.
Most planted varieties of Navarra?
Tempranillo - usually blended with Cabernet Savignon and Merlot
Garnacha -for Rose production
Viura, Chardonnay and Sav Blanc also found here
Other DO’s of the Upper Ebro ?
Carinena and Calatayud
Warm continental climate, low rainfall
Main grape varieties and wine styles of Carinena and Calatayud
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)
Wine in Catalunya?
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.
Other areas in Catalunya?
Penedes and Priorat
What’s particularly interesting about Penedes in Catalunya?
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
