Spain Flashcards
What city did the Phoenicians found around 1100 BCE on the southern coast of Spain?
Gadir (modern Cádiz)
What significant contribution did Phoenician ships make to the wine trade?
They carried grapes from the Middle East to North Africa, the Mediterranean islands, and the Iberian peninsula, which are genetic ancestors of modern Spanish varieties.
Which civilization improved winemaking techniques after the Phoenicians?
The Romans
What was the impact of the Moors on winemaking in Spain?
Winemaking became a secondary pursuit due to the religious prohibition of alcohol, although grape growing persisted for raisins and distillation.
What happened to Spanish wine during the expansion of Columbus in 1492?
Spanish wine benefitted from renewed legal approval and was exported to supply Spanish colonies.
What type of Spanish wine became popular in the English market from the end of the 15th century?
Sherry wines
What legislation in the 17th century affected Spanish colonies regarding wine production?
Spanish law barred the colonies from producing their own wine.
What major disease affected the French vineyards in the 1850s and 1860s?
Oidium and phylloxera
What influence did French winemakers have on Spanish wine during the phylloxera crisis?
They sought Spanish wine to bridge the interruption of their disease-ridden vineyards.
What is the significance of the Denominación de Origen (DO) in Spanish wine?
It represents a quality wine classification system.
What are the aging requirements for Noble wines?
Minimum 18 months aging in cask or bottle
What is the main grape variety used in red Rioja?
Tempranillo
What is the minimum percentage of traditional blending partners required in a red Rioja blend?
85% of Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano, and Garnacha
What is the aging requirement for Gran Reserva red wines in Rioja?
At least two years in cask and two years in bottle, totaling at least 60 months
What are the three climatically distinct subzones of Rioja?
Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Oriental
What is the primary white grape variety in Rioja?
Viura (Macabéo)
What was established in 2017 regarding single vineyard wines in Rioja?
An official single vineyard category allowing Viñedos Singulares to be registered.
What is the aging requirement for Vino Espumoso de Calidad?
Minimum of 15 months lees aging
What percentage of Navarra’s production is red wine?
Approximately 60%
What are the major red varieties in Navarra?
Garnacha and Tempranillo
What climate conditions affect the Campo de Borja DO?
Hot climate similar to Navarra’s Ribera Baja and Rioja’s Oriental zone
What are the four DOs in the autonomía of Aragon?
Campo de Borja, Calatayud, Cariñena, Somontano
These DOs are known for their production of red and white wines, particularly from the Garnacha grape.
Which grape dominates the vineyard acreage in Campo de Borja?
Garnacha
Garnacha accounts for around two-thirds of the vineyard acreage in this DO.
What is the ancestral home of the Carignan/Mazuelo grape?
Cariñena
Cariñena is one of Spain’s longest-established delimited zones, dating back to 1932.