Spain Flashcards
Person who pioneered modern winemaking in Spain and where and when
Miguel Torres in Catalan in 1960s
NW Climate
Maritime Climate - high levels of rainfall throughout the year\
Atlantic influence
Some more inland areas are protected by the mountains and have a more continental climate
South and East
Warm Mediterranean climate
Central
Warm Continental - high maseta plain (600-900m)
provides cooling influences and diurnals
General Vineyard Mgmt -
planting (high/low density) - how much?
vine training methods - why?
low - because it is hot and dry the vines don’t need to compete for the limited water source (can be as low as 1000 vines/ha). Irrigation is also controlled by the Consejo Regulador
traditional: bush vines - old bush vines = high quality fruit
modern: cordon or replacement cane w/ VSP trellising
These 2 provide good shading of the canopy
General - Vineyard holding size and impact on mechanization
Very small. Over 50% is <0.5ha
Makes mechanization very difficult
Vineyard planting size compared to other countries
Where is it concentrated?
largest in the world - this is why even though planting densities are low, Spain still can compete with Italy for highest production by volume
Concentrated in La Mancha
Major Varietals
Tempranillo
Garnacha
Monastrell
Bobal
Mencia
Airen
Typical early drinking Tempranillo style
Pale Ruby
Dry
Med Acid
Med Tannin
Med- to med Body
Med Alcohol
Med Intensity of red plum, strawberry, possibly fruity bc of carbonic
Med finish
Premium Tempranillo w/ new oak aging Style
Med - Dark Ruby
Dry
Med+ Acid
Med+ - high Tannin
High Alcohol
Med+ to full body
Pronounced Intensity of red plum, strawberry, black fruit, spices, vanilla, coconut, meaty, savory, wet leaves, forest floor, mushroom, leather
Long finish
National Legislation: Generic aging requirement
no aging requirement
National Legislation: Red Crianza Aging Requirement
24 months total, 6mths in oak
National Legislation: Red Reserva Aging Requirement
36mths total, 12mths in oak
National Legislation: Red Gran Reserva Aging Requirement
60mths total, 18mths in oak
National Legislation: White Crianza Aging Requirement
18mths total, 6mths in oak
National Legislation: White Reserva Aging Requirement
24mths total, 6mths in oak
National Legislation: White Gran Reserve Aging Requirement
48mths total, 6mths in oak
Max capacity of oak vessel
330L
Name of regulations org in Spain
Consejo Regulador
2 DOCa/DOQ:
Rioja
Priorat
What are VP
What does it stand for?
Vino de Pago
Single estates with outstanding reputation. High concentration in La Mancha as the region is not known for high quality
Must be 100% estate fruit and wine must be vinified and aged on the estate
PDO, PGI, and no geographical indication names in Spain
PDO: DO and DOCa/DOQ
VP(Vino de Pago)
PGI: VT (Vino de la Tierra)
Vino
Wine Business - major players
lots of small growers
co-ops are important
a few large merchant houses
Spain’s advantage in the export market
quality/price ratio
Top Export markets
France, Germany, UK, USA, China
Galicia DO’s
Rias Baixas
Ribeiro
Ribiera Sacra
Valdeorras
Monterrei
Rias Baixas Climate
Maritime - high rainfall throughout the year. warm summers, mild winters
Rias baixas - Soil
granite w/ good drainage
Rias Baixas - Disease risk
fungal disease bc of high rainfall
Describe Albarino in the vineyard
early - mid ripening
thick skin - helps w/ fungal resistance
Blending partners of Albarino
Loreiro
Treixadura
Caino Blanco
Style of typical unoaked, early drinking Albarino
Dry
High Acidity
Med Body
Med Alcohol
Med Intensity - apple, lemon, grapefruit, peach, floral
Med finish
Vine Training in Rias Baixas (trad & modern)
Traditional: Pergola
Modern: VSP trellising
Both are good for air circulation
Winemaking for early drinking & premium Albarinos
early drinking: ss, cool temp, short maturation in ss
premium: cold soak, lees aging, neutral oak aging
Roughly describe the climate conditions and styles of wines produced in the subregions of Rias Baixas
wetter/cooler near the coast - higher acidity, fresher
drier/warmer inland - fuller, riper styles
Ribeiro DO - main varietal
Treixadura
Ribeira Sacra DO - main varietal
Mencia
Valdeorras DO - main varietal
Godello
Monterrei DO - main varietal
Mencia & Godello
Subregions of Castilla y Leon
Bierzo
Toro
Rueda
Ribera del Duero
Bierzo Climate
Maritime w/ Continental influences
warmer than Galicia
Atlantic Ocean still moderates the temps
Describe Mencia in the vyd
Early - mid ripening
if picked too early, won’t develop enough flavor or structure
if picked too late, will lose acidity and accumulate too much alcohol
*tricky grape
ideal growing season is long, sunny, warm but not too warm
Describe early drinking Bierzo
May have alicante bouschet blended in for color
semi-carbonic
med+ acidity
med/med+ tannin
med- body
red cherry, raspberry, fresh, fruitiness from semi-carbonic maceration
Describe premium Bierzo
Old bush vines from slopes of 500-850m on infertile soils
Oak maturation but generally old oak to not mask the delicate aromas of mencia
med+ acidity
med/med+ tannin
med/med+ body
bright red cherry, red plum, floral, herbal, violet, lavender, menthol, spiced, oak
Describe Toro’s growing conditions
Continental climate - hot summers, cold winters
High altitudes - 620-750m
Large diurnals
Name for Tempranillo in Toro, how is it different?
Tinto de Toro
thick skin - higher tannin, deeper color
Describe the style of Tinto de Toro
Deep Ruby
Med+/High Acidity
Full Body
High Alcohol
High tannin - ripe
pronounced intensity - black current, blackberry, blueberry, spice from american oak, vanilla chocolate
Describe Ribera del Duero’s growing conditions
Similar to Toro but even more continental and higher elevation (750-1000m)
Famous producer in Ribera del Duero
Vega Sicilia
Key varietal and min percentage and blending partners
In practice
Tinto Fino (min 75%)
Cab Sauv, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha, Albillo
100% Tinto Fino
Generality about Spanish blending practices
Lots of blending across sites given differing altitudes, aspects, climate for complexity, balance, and consistent yields
Lots of investment money in Ribera because of quality potential and proximity to Madrid
Describe Rueda’s growing conditions
Continental, similar to Toro
700-800m
Main Varietal in Rueda
Verdejo
Describe the typical style of verdejo
med/med+ acidity
med alcohol
apple, pear, peach, herbal (fennel), slight bitterness on finish
can be blended with SB, giving herbaceous, elderflower, grapefruit aromas
List all the factors that can contribute to the refreshing, fruity wine style which is typical of Rueda.
Harvesting at night via machine
Protective winemaking - cool ferm tank in ss
Cultured Yeast
No MLC
Short maturation in ss
General topography and its climatic impact of Rioja
Cantabrian mountains in the north protects the region from most of the cool, wet influences of the Atlantic
Sierra de la Demanda in the south protects the region from the warm air from the center of the country
Ebro river runs through carving out valleys along with its tributaries
What are the 3 subregions of Rioja
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Oriental
Describe the climate and topography of Rioja Alta
Main varietal planted?
South of the Ebro river
Rioja Alavesa is mostly continental with cooling influences from the Atlantic Ocean
The northwest is cooler, wetter, and has calcareous soil
The Ebro valley is at lower altitudes has more fertile, alluvial soil, and is warmer
The south is at higher elevation (700m) and is cool and wet and has ferrous clay soil
Tempranillo
Describe the climate and topography of Rioja Alavesa
Main varietal planted?
North of the Ebro river
Relatively cool and wet with some maritime influences and calcareous clay soil
It is at 700m
Tempranillo
Describe the climate and topography of Rioja Oriental
Main varietal planted?
This is the lowest and driest subregion. There is Mediterranean influence that comes up the Ebro river from the SE, bringing warm and dry air. There can be severe drought risk
The soil along the river valleys is mostly alluvial
The south is at higher elevation at 500-1000m, which provides cooling influences. The soil here is a mix of calcareous clay ferrous clay
Garnacha
What regions have marked vintage variation?
Rioja
Other planted varieties in Rioja
Graciano
Mazuelo (carignan)
Maturana Tinta (Trousseau)
Cabernet Sauvignon
What does Graciano contribute in a Rioja blend?
high acidity and tannin and fresh black fruit
What does Mazuelo contribute in a Rioja blend?
acidity
What does Maturana Tinta contribute in a Rioja blend?
deep purple color, high acidity, cranberry and blackberry
What does Garnacha contribute in a Rioja blend?
body, lower tannins, ripe strawberry
Why was Garnacha replaced by Tempranillo in Rioja Oriental?
Tempranillo produces larger yields and the legalization of irrigation meant Garnacha’s drought resistance was not as important anymore
What is the main white varietal in Rioja?
Other white varietals?
Viura
Tempranillo Blanco, Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca, Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc
What are all the different possible blending components of a Rioja Reserva?
varietals
vineyard sites
harvest dates
degree of extraction - length of pre/post fermentation maceration, frequency of cap managment, fermentation temp
maturation - aging vessels (french, american, neutral, concrete, amphora, large/small), aging time
Rioja joven/generic aging req
no aging requirement
Rioja crianza aging req
24mths total, 12mths in barrel
Rioja Reserva aging req
36months in total, 12mths in barrel, 6mths in bottle
Rioja Gran Reserva aging req
60months in total, 24mths in barrel, 24mths in bottle
What size barrels must aging occur in in Rioja?
225L barriques
New Rioja labelling terms:
Vino de Zona
Vino de Municipio
Vinedo Singular
Describe Vino de Zona
All the grapes must be from a single sub-zone - Rioja Alta or Rioja Alavesa or Rioja Oriental
Exception: 15% may come from a vineyard bordering the zone providing evidence that grapes have been sourced there for 10 consecutive years
Vinification, aging, and bottling must also take place from within the zone
Describe Vino de Municipio
The grapes are from a single village. Also, the producer must make the wines (vinification, maturation, aging) in that particular village
Describe Vinedo Singular
The grapes are from a single vineyard and the wine must be vinified, matured, and aged within the same winery.
The producer must have owned the vineyard for a min of 10yrs
The vineyard must be a min of 35yrs old
Yields must respect specified max levels
must be hand harvested
Vineyard must be treated in a sustainable way
Checks on traceability will be carries out
Wine must be authorized by a tasting panel
Climate and subzones of Navarra
Similar to Rioja
5 subzones - northern subzones are cooler and wetter due to Atlantic and Pyrenees influences; central and southern subzones are warmer, drier, and flatter
What does Navarra produce a significant volume of? what is the style, varietal, and winemaking?
Deep colored dry Garnacha rosé sometimes blended with Tempranillo, Cab Sauv, and Merlot.
Grapes are generally sourced from the cooler northern regions
These must be made by short maceration on the skins (3-4hrs for paler colored wines, 6-12hrs for deeper colored wines). Direct press is not permitted. Wines are fermented in ss and bottled shortly after
What are the typical varietals used/blends in Navarra?`
Single varietal Tempranillo
Blend of Cab, Merlot, Tempranillo, and sometimes Garnacha
What do critics believe is the varietal with most potential in Navarra?
Garnacha - there are also a lot of old bush vines. As a single varietal, it produces lighter bodied, red berry fruit, and med+ acidity wines from the cooler regions and fuller bodied, more tannic versions from the warmer regions
Inland DOs of Aragon
Carinena DO
Campo de Borja DO
Calatayud DO
Inland Aragon DOs location, climate, key varietal, wine style
warm continental climate
Rainfall of 450-550mm/yr
Vineyards are on high altitude plateaus giving high diurnal range and the cooling wind “cierzo” from the north that slows down ripening.
Principal variety is Garnacha, and substantial plantings of old bush vines. Today, most vineyards are still mainly low density bush vines because of the lack of precipitation and rocky free draining soils
Northeast DO of Aragon
Somontano DO
Somontano DO location, climate and main varietals
Foothills of the Pyrenees
Warm continental climate with rainfall throughout the year
Vineyards are at 350-650m, the altitude ives large diurnals and cooling breezes
Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the most planted varietals. There is also significant Gewurztraminer planted
What are the pro and con of wine business in Somontano
Pro: It has received a lot of external investment so the number of producers has grown and there is modern high-technology wineries
Con: competition from the large number of other better known regions growing the same varietals
Catalunya Climate
Warm Mediterranean. Cooling influences from altitude
Key Varietals planted in Penedes DO
Most planted: Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada
Also, Chardonnay and Merlot
Minor: Moscatel, SB, Gewurztraminer, Riesling
3 subzones of Penedes
Penedes Maritim
Penedes Central
Penedes Superior
Describe Penedes Maritim
Coastal regions. Warm Mediterranean climate. Famous for full-bodied red wines made from varieties like Monastrell
Describe Penedes Central
On the relatively flat plains called the Pre-Coastal Depression between the coastal range and the inland mountains.
Plains are still at high altitudes around 500m, giving some cooling influences
Common varieties for still wines include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Chardonnay.
Describe Penedes Superior
Located in the inland mountains at high altitudes (500-800m). Cooling influence, diurnals, but also spring frost risk
Coolest zone allows the success of varieties like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, even Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
Penedes DO has a lot of international varietals and very modern winemaking. Describe.
Penedes was one of the first places in spain to modernize its wine production thanks to Miguel Torres in the 1960s who studied in Dijon. It allowed Penedes to be the source of Spanish clean, fruity wines for both reds and whites
Who revived viticulture in Priorat and when? What did they start making?
- Rene Barbier and a small group of viticulturists and winemakers. They blended Garnacha and Carinena with CS, Syrah, and Merlot using French winemaking techniques
Priorat Climate and Topography
More inland, therefore the climate is warm continental. High altitude sites have cool nights. Summer daytime are warm and very dry. Rainfall is 500-600mm/yr mainly in fall and spring
Vineyards are on steep slopes. Many terraced vineyards called costers that range in gradient from 5-60%
Soils are very poor, slate-based, locally called llicorella.
Describe the soil in Priorat and how it helps viticulture
Llicorella - slate-based, thin, rocky soil that lacks nutrients. It has mica particles that reflect light and heat back onto the vines
The bedrock of slate splits into vertical layers that allows the roots to grow deep in search of water
What are the wine classifications in Priorat?
Vi de Vila
Vi de Paratge
Vinya Classificada
Gran Vinya Classificada
Describe Vi de Vila
Grapes must come from of the 12 subzones
Describe Vi de Paratge
Grapes grown within a single named site, like a lieu dit
Describe Vinya Classificada
Wine from a single vineyard of particular merit, like a cru
Describe Gran Vinya Classificada
Wine from a single vineyard of exceptional merit, like a grand cru
What is the purpose of the classification system in Priorat?
To promote small, individual vineyard sites of exceptional quality, like in Rioja. A shift towards a more Burgundian approach to quality rather than the traditional maturation length model
Where is Montsant and how does it compare to Priorat?
It is a ring-like region around Priorat
The climate has more Mediterranean influence. Also have higher altitudes for cooling influence at night. But most vineyards are not that steep, so it’s easier to work with and the yields are higher in general because of slightly more fertile soils. More mechanization is done in Montsant
Montsant also uses Garnacha and Cariñena. But Tempranillo is also used, unlike Priorat. Some producers try to make super-premium examples to compete with Priorat. But in general, Montsant makes wines that are more approachable with shorter ageing potential.
Describe the style of a Premium red from Priorat
Dry
Med+ acid
Full body
High tannin - ripe
High alcohol
ripe but not jammy red and black fruit, oak spices, violet, herbal
What is the main varietal in Utiel-Requena DO?
Bobal
Describe the growing conditions of Bobal and why it suits Utiel-Requena
mid-late budding (avoids spring frost)
very drought resistant (low rainfall at 450mm/yr)
Retains acidity well despite hot climate (continental climate with very hot summers and very cold winters)
It can ripen unevenly leading to grippy tannins
high yielding
Describe the growing conditions of Monastrell and why it suits Yecla and Jumilla DO
Late budding (avoids spring frost)
Late ripening (likes the warm climate and will not lose its acidity too quickly)
Only requires small but regular amounts of water (the soil in Jumilla is sand over limestone which aids in ground water retention)
Best pruned short with cordon or bush vines (still significant old bush vines that are producing quality fruit)
What is the climate of La Mancha DO
The largest DO in Spain, in the flat meseta at 500-700m altitude. Very hot summers. Distinct continental climate. Drought can be a problem.
What is tempranillo called in La Mancha
Cencibel
What is the most planted white in La Mancha? what does it mostly make?
Airen. It is used mostly for distillation into Brady de Jerez
Describe wine production in terms of quality in La Mancha and Valdepenas DO
In La Mancha DO and Valdepeñas DO, most wines are bulk. But there are very small estate producers who can make very premium wines. That’s why Vino de Pago is concentrated in Castilla-La Mancha. It’s not a famous region for quality, but they can have the Vino de Pago title for people to recognise the quality.
What DO’s have more of an emphasis on small producers?
Priorat DOQ
Rioja DOCa
Ribera del Duero DO
