Spain * Flashcards
What is significant about Spain’s early wine history?
Phoenicians introduced wine around 1100 AD. Later, Moorish rule banned alcohol but introduced distillation, aiding Spanish brandy and fortified Sherry.
How did Sherry and rancio styles become prominent historically?
New World trade routes boosted demand for fortified wines like Sherry and oxidative rancio styles from Spain.
What impact did the Bordeaux phylloxera crisis (1850s–60s) have on Spanish winemaking?
French winemakers fled to Spain, bringing advanced techniques such as trellising, French oak barrels, and improved fermentation methods. Over time, American oak also became common.
Why was Spain’s international wine recognition delayed in the 20th century?
Under Franco’s dictatorship (1930s–1975), Spain was isolated, hindering wine export and global awareness.
Name key Spanish wine regions often cited for top quality.
Rioja, Priorat, Ribera del Duero, Rías Baixas, Cava (Catalonia), and Sherry (Andalucía) are the most renowned.
Explain Spain’s main quality tiers.
DOCa (highest, only Rioja and Priorat), DO (regulated but not guaranteed top quality), VCIG (step below DO), Vino de la Tierra (IGP), and then table wine.
When was the first DO created in Spain, and how did the system expand?
The first DO was in 1932, with more DOs granted post-1975 after Spain’s political changes.
Which regulations do Spain’s DOs and DOCa enforce?
They govern approved grape varieties, aging, yields, viticulture techniques, and require a consejo regulador (regulatory council).
Describe Spain’s standard aging terms for red wines: Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva.
Crianza: 2 years total (6 months in oak), Reserva: 3 years total (1 year oak), Gran Reserva: 5 years total (18 months oak).
Standard aging terms for white and rosé wines?
Crianza: 18 months (6 in oak), Reserva: 2 years (6 in oak), Gran Reserva: 4 years (6 in oak).
What do the DOP-specific aging terms (Noble, Añejo, Viejo) signify?
Noble: 18 months in cask <600L or bottle; Añejo: 24 months; Viejo: 36 months with oxidative aging in small casks.
Define Vinos de Pago.
A special DO category for single estates of very high quality (10+ years recognized), with stricter rules and estate-focused production.
What does Joven mean on a Spanish wine label?
It indicates a young wine released the year after harvest, typically with minimal or no oak aging.
What does Viñas Viejas refer to?
It means “old vines,” often 35+ years old, though the definition can vary by region.
Where is most Cava produced, and how is it classified?
Cava is a style, not a single region, but ~95% is from Catalonia. DO Cava covers all producers following the traditional sparkling method.
Which broad region is considered the “North Central” of Spain?
It includes the area around Rioja, Navarra, and Aragón, influenced by the Ebro River and surrounding mountain ranges.
Why is Rioja historically Spain’s most famous DOCa?
It combines long tradition, French winemaking influence (1850s), prestigious bodegas, and it was the first DOCa recognized (in 1991).
Which grape varieties dominate in North Central Spain?
Tempranillo and Garnacha are the key reds. Whites include Viura, Malvasía, and others.
What role did Benedictine monks and French exiles play in Rioja’s wine history?
Monks cultivated Rioja in the 13th century; mid-19th-century French exiles introduced modern techniques (barrel aging, short macerations).
When did Rioja first gain DO status, and when did it become DOCa?
1933: Rioja gained DO status; 1991: Elevated to DOCa.
Which grapes are authorized for Rioja DOCa’s red wines?
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo (Carignan), Graciano, and Maturana Tinta.
What are the three Rioja subregions from highest to lowest altitude?
Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja).
Describe the standard oak aging requirements for Rioja red wines.
Crianza: 2 years (1 in oak), Reserva: 3 years (1 in oak + 6m bottle), Gran Reserva: 5 years (2 in oak + 2 in bottle).
Name the white grapes allowed in Rioja DOCa.
Viura, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Malvasía, Garnacha Blanca, and others.
Explain Navarra DO’s typical wine styles.
Navarra produces dry white, rosado, red, plus Moscatel-based fortified wines. “Roble” denotes 90 days of oak.
Name three DOs in Aragón.
Calatayud, Campo de Borja, and Cariñena (plus Somontano).
Which city is central to La Rioja?
Haro and Logroño are major hubs for wine trade and production in Rioja.
Why is Castilla y León notable as Spain’s largest region?
It spans from the Portuguese border to central Spain, encompassing major DOs like Ribera del Duero, Toro, Rueda, and Bierzo.
Which grapes dominate Castilla y León’s wine production?
Red: Tempranillo (Tinta del País, Tinta de Toro), Mencía, Cabernet Sauvignon. White: Verdejo, Viura, Sauvignon Blanc, Godello.
Name the main DOs of Castilla y León.
Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Toro, Bierzo, Cigales, Arribes, Tierra de Léon.
Which famous estate helped build Ribera del Duero’s reputation?
Vega Sicilia, founded in 1864, renowned for Único and driving quality before the DO was formed (1982).
What are the aging rules for Ribera del Duero reds?
Crianza: 24 months (12 in oak). Reserva: 36 months (12 in oak). Gran Reserva: 60 months (24 in oak).
What DO focuses on Verdejo-based white wines?
Rueda DO is famous for fresh, aromatic Verdejo, plus some Sauvignon Blanc blends.
Explain Toro DO’s red wine style.
Centered on Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo variant), producing bold, high-alcohol reds with robust tannins.
Which red grape is key in Bierzo DO?
Mencía is dominant, yielding fresh, aromatic reds. Bierzo also produces Godello-based whites.
What is the geographical focus of Catalonia’s wine region?
Located near Barcelona, stretching from the Pyrenees down to the Mediterranean coast, including Priorat, Penedès, Montsant, etc.
Name the primary grapes for Cava production.
Macabeo (Viura), Xarel·lo, and Parellada, with others like Chardonnay, Subirat Parent, and Trepat.
How is Cava made?
By the traditional (Champagne) method: second fermentation in bottle, lees aging, riddling, disgorgement, dosage.
Explain the aging categories for Cava.
Cava: 9 months on lees, Reserva: 18 months, Gran Reserva: 30 months, Cava de Paraje Calificado: 36 months (single vineyard).
Which soils define Priorat’s terroir?
Llicorella (black slate with quartz), forcing deep roots, giving wines a distinctive mineral streak.
Name the main grape varieties in Priorat DOCa.
Garnacha (Grenache) and Cariñena (Carignan), often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot.
Which 19th-century crisis devastated Priorat until its modern revival?
Phylloxera destroyed vineyards, causing a long decline. In the late 20th century, pioneers like René Barbier revived the region.
What is Vi de Finca/Vi de Paratge in Priorat?
They are classifications for single-vineyard (Vi de Finca) or smaller area (Vi de Paratge) wines, part of the region’s terroir-driven hierarchy.
Which DO regions in Catalonia is known for diverse styles, including sweet, dry, fortified, and sparkling?
Costers del Segre, Empordà, Montsant, and Penedès produce a range of styles. Penedès is also known for Cava production.
How would you describe Galicia’s climate and key grape?
Maritime climate, rainy and cool, with Albariño as the flagship white grape in Rías Baixas.
List the main DOs in Galicia.
Rías Baixas (Albariño), Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Monterrei, and Valdeorras.
Which region is famous for Txakoli (Txakolina)?
The Basque Country, with DOs Getariako, Bizkaiko, and Arabako Txakolina, producing high-acid, spritzy white from Hondarribi Zuri.
What is Fondillón from Alicante DO?
An oxidative dessert wine made from overripe Monastrell, aged at least 10 years in a solera.
Which grape dominates Utiel-Requena DO in Valencia?
Bobal, often made in “Doble Pasta” style (extra grape skins for more color/tannin).
Name the three DOs in Murcia focusing on Monastrell-based reds.
Jumilla, Yecla, and Bullas, producing robust reds, rosados, and some whites.
What is Castilla-La Mancha known for?
It’s Spain’s largest single region on the arid Meseta plateau, historically known for Airén but now producing quality wines from many grapes.
Which DOs or Vino de Pago estates exist in Castilla-La Mancha?
La Mancha, Valdepeñas, Almansa, Manchuela, Méntrida, Ribera del Júcar, Uclés, Vinos de Madrid, Ribera del Guadiana, plus numerous DO Pagos.
Describe Sherry’s primary grapes and basic styles.
Palomino Fino for dry Sherries (Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso), PX and Moscatel for sweet blends. Styles range from bone-dry Fino to rich, sweet PX.
Explain biological vs. oxidative aging in Sherry.
Biological: Flor yeast layer protects wine from oxygen (Fino, Manzanilla). Oxidative: No flor, wine oxidizes (Oloroso). Amontillado starts as biological, then continues oxidatively.
What is the solera system?
A fractional blending method, younger wines continually refresh older barrels, ensuring consistency and complexity in Sherry.
Where is Sherry produced, and what is the “Sherry Triangle”?
Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María in Andalucía—these three towns form the “Sherry Triangle.”
Which soils predominate in Jerez?
Albariza (chalky limestone) is ideal for Palomino; barros (clay) and arenas (sand) are also found.
Name two major Sherry producers.
González Byass (Tío Pepe) and Lustau are among the top, alongside Osborne, Williams & Humbert, and Barbadillo.
What distinguishes Manzanilla DO from standard Fino?
Manzanilla is a Fino aged in coastal Sanlúcar de Barrameda, gaining a saltier, tangier profile from maritime conditions.
Why is Andalusia historically significant for fortified wines?
The region’s proximity to shipping ports and centuries of production made Sherry globally famous since the 16th century.
Where are the Canary Islands, and what makes their wines unique?
Off Africa’s northwest coast, volcanic terroir. Whites include Malvasía, Listán Blanco; reds include Listán Negro. Extreme conditions produce distinctive wines.
Name two DOs in the Canary Islands.
Lanzarote DO is known for its striking volcanic vineyards. Other DOs include Tacoronte-Acentejo, Valle de la Orotava, etc.
What are the main permitted grapes in Cava rosé?
Pinot Noir and Trepat are key for rosé, in addition to the white Cava varieties.
Which producers pioneered Spanish sparkling wine (Cava)?
Codorníu (first local Champagne-method production), Freixenet (global brand), and later Gramona and Raventós i Blanc for premium styles.
How does Priorat’s llicorella soil affect wines?
It forces deep root systems, concentrating flavors and giving a pronounced mineral backbone to Garnacha and Cariñena.
Which legendary Ribera del Duero estate was founded by Peter Sisseck, known for ultra-premium cult wines?
Dominio de Pingus, producing some of Spain’s most sought-after and expensive wines.
What is Tinta de Toro?
A local adaptation of Tempranillo in the Toro DO, known for thick skins and powerful reds.
How is Rioja traditionally aged?
Traditionally in American oak for extended periods, imparting vanilla, coconut notes. Modern wineries may use French oak or blends.
Name a classic bodega in Rioja famed for traditional style.
López de Heredia (Viña Tondonia) epitomizes a classic, long-aged, oxidative-influenced Rioja style.
What style of wine is produced in Rías Baixas DO?
Albariño-based whites, generally high in acidity with saline, citrus, and peach notes.
Why is Basque Txakoli slightly spritzy?
The high acidity and bottling techniques often retain a small amount of dissolved CO2, lending a subtle natural fizz.
What is the difference between Sherry’s Amontillado and Palo Cortado styles?
Amontillado begins as a Fino under flor, then moves to oxidative aging. Palo Cortado starts flor aging but quickly loses it, developing a unique balance of Amontillado and Oloroso traits.
Which region’s reds are called “the Spanish Bordeaux,” historically referencing French influence?
Rioja gained that nickname due to 19th-century Bordeaux techniques and the region’s reputation for long-aged, oak-influenced reds.
