Spain Flashcards
What ancient civilization founded the city of Gadir?
The Phoenicians
Around what year was the city of Gadir established?
Around 1100 BCE
What commodity did the Phoenicians establish as valuable in Andalucía?
Viticulture and wine
What significant contribution did Phoenician ships make to the wine trade?
Carried grapes from the Middle East to North Africa, Mediterranean islands, and the Iberian peninsula
What were the genetic ancestors of some modern varieties of Spain’s grapes?
Grapes carried by Phoenician ships
True or False: The Phoenicians were the first to cultivate grapes in Spain.
False
What civilization improved winemaking techniques in Spain after the Phoenicians?
The Romans
What did the Moors forbid that affected winemaking in Spain?
Consumption of alcohol
How did grapegrowing persist under the Moors despite their indifference?
Used for raisins and distillation for medicines, perfumes, and other goods
What was the legal status of wine sale during Moorish rule?
Illegal but often tolerated
What significant event in 1492 opened new trading opportunities for Spanish wine?
Christopher Columbus and Spanish explorers opened up a new world
What style were Spanish wines often made in for export to the West Indies?
Deliberately rancio style
What type of wine became increasingly popular with the English market from the late 15th century?
Sherry wines
What law prevented Spanish colonies from producing their own wine in the 17th century?
17th century Spanish law
What wine regions were protected by Spanish exports in the colonies?
Málaga and Sherry
What major challenges did Spain face in the 19th century regarding viticulture?
Falling behind in new viticultural techniques
What were oidium and phylloxera, and when did they strike France?
Diseases that struck France in the 1850s and 1860s
Who were the Bordeaux-trained winemakers that influenced Rioja?
Marqués de Riscal and Marqués de Murrieta
What type of oak did Spanish winemakers use for barrique aging?
American oak (Quercus alba)
What traditional method sparkling wine originated in Spain’s 19th century?
Champaña, now known as Cava
When did the root louse arrive in Rioja?
Near the dawn of the 20th century
What were established in the 1930s to focus on quality in Spanish wine regions?
Consejos Reguladores
What political regime took hold in Spain under Francisco Franco in the late 1930s?
Fascism
What technological advancement did Miguel Torres bring to Catalonia in the 1960s?
Stainless steel and temperature-controlled fermentations