Spain Flashcards
Spain - history
For most of recent history Spain was under a dictatorship and made mostly bulk wine.
Spain - geography
further north than we think
High elevation
* pronounced continental climate
Largest number of vineyard acres of any country
Spanish wine law
without geographic indication
Vino
Spanish wine law
with geographic indication
IGP
* Vino de la Tierra (VdIT)
DOP wines
* VCIG - Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografíca
DO
* Denominaciaon de Origen
DOCa (2)
* Denominacion e Origen Calificada
* Rioja
* Priorat
Spanish wine law
with geographic indication
Vinos de Pagos
* single estate appellations
attached to specific producers who didn;t fit into traditional appellations
20 producers in south of Spain
Spain - NorthWestern
(Galicia)
Rias-Baixas
geography
Green Spain - no dry areas in NW spain
Portuguese border
Atlantic Ocean/Rivers
Maritime and humid climate
Soil - Granite, Alluvial, & Slate
Vineyards are rasied 6 feet or more in the air to provide airflow to prevent mold, etc.
Spain - NorthWestern
(Galicia)
Rias-Baixas
grapes and vinification
Grapes
* Albarino
* 90% of plantings
* * 100% Albarino if labeld variety
Vinification
* Stainless steel fermentation
* Lees contact
* Crisp, dry white wines
Albarino
- juicy and refreshing
- food pairings - treat like a squueeze of lemon
- green apple, peach, white blossoms
- lees contact adds complexity and richness
North Central Spain
traditions combined with modern winemaking preactices
North Central Spain
regions
Rioja - NE corner
follow duero rivers to
Ribera del Duero
Rueda
Toro
North Central Spain
Rioja DOCa
geography & grapes
Foothills of Pyrenees & Cantabrian mountains
Continental climate
Rain shadow of Catabrian mountains
Grapes
* white - Viura
* red - tempranillo & Garnacha (grenache)
Rioja wine style
- fairly recent wine style
- two exiles spent time on Bordeaux, learning about winemaking there, returned to Rioja with french ideas
- brought Bordeaux technique of barrell aging
Rioja subregions
Rioja Alta - tempranillo
Rioja Alavesa - fruity style
Rioja Oriental(Baja) - Garnacha
Rioja vinification
Oak aging
* American oak
* French oak
Botte aging
* Length of time aging determines quality level
Very intensive, long wine making process
Rioja DOCa & Aging Quality levels
Crianza - aged 2 years
Reserva - aged 3 years
Gran Riserva - aged 5 years
North Central Spain
Ribera del Duero DOCa
geography & grapes
Continental climate
* very hot summers/cold winters
* Extreme diurnal shift
Maseta - higher elevation
Grape
* Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)
North Central Spain
Ribera del Duero DOCa
history
- Around Rioja revolution
- Don Loy Lecanda y Chaves starts the Vega Sicilia project, planting grapes from Bordeaux
- wine style inspired by Bordeaux, created a wine that is incredubly concentrated and age worthy
North Central Spain
Ribera del Duero DOCa
viticulte and vinification
viticulture
* high-altitude vineyards
* grapes get very ripe - hot summers
* retain acidity - diurnal shift
vinification
* red wines predominate
* small rpoduction of Rose
North Central Spain
Toro & Rueda DOs
Continental climate
grapes
* Toro: Tempranillo (Tinto de Toro - bull’s blood)
* Rueda: Verdejo & Sauvingnon Blanc
vinification
* Toro: Rich, intense red wines
* Rueda: Crisp, dry white wines
NorthEastern Spain
Penedes & Cava DO
geography & climate
Near Barcelona
Pyrenees to the North
Mediterrranean climate, but high elevation
NorthEastern Spain
Penedes & Cava DO
viticulture & vinification
Grapes
White
* Macabeo (Viuro)
* Xarel-lo
* Parallada
vinification (Cava)
* Sparkling wines made in the traditional method
NorthEastern Spain
Priorat DOCa
geography & grapes
Rugged mountainous region
Hot and dry climate
Soul - stony schistous “llicorella”
Grapes
* Garnacha (Grenache)
* Carinena (Carignan)
NorthEastern Spain
Priorat DOCa
viticulture & vinification
- very difficult to grow grapes
- vines have to dig deep for water
- produces stunning, rich wines
vinification
* Intense, concentrated, dry red wines
