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Spain 3 Flashcards

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1
Q

Spain Production?

A

0.95 million ha; 50 million hl; country with biggest acreage under the vine and in 2012 the biggest producer in the world.

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2
Q

Spain Regulations?

A

Production and labeling are governed by the Instituto de Denominaciones de Origen (INDO) which is controlled by administrative growers committees or Consejos Regulados.

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3
Q

Spain Quality Levels?

A

There are six quality levels: Vino de Mesa (VdM); Vino Comarcal (VC); Vino de la Tierra (VdlT); Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica (VCIG); Denominacion de Origen (DO); and Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOCa).

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4
Q

Vino Comarcal (VC)?

A

Vino Comarcal (VC) is a regional wine. It is a slightly higher-quality table wine which may be sold under a region and vintage. Some growers prefer to produce higher quality wine under this category.

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5
Q

Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)?

A

Vino de la Tierra (VdlT) is country wine; similar classification to the VdP of France and IGT of Italy. These wines are from a local region with a specific local character and are expected to achieve DO status within five years of being registered.

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6
Q

Vinos de Pagos?

A

Top quality wines from single estates but are not necessarily higher quality than DO or DOCa wines. These wines must be from single estates and produced on the estate; so producers who buy in grapes or whose winery is not on this estate cannot use this categorization; these rules out a large number of the top quality wines.

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7
Q

Joven?

A

Joven means no cask aging; or less than the legal minimum for Crianza wines.

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8
Q

Crianza?

A

Red wines must be matured for two calendar years following the harvest; including a minimum of six months in barricas (225 liter oak casks); which means a 2004 vintage may be sold from January 1 2007. White and rose must be matured for one calendar year; of which six months must be in barricas. Rioja; Ribera del Duero; and Navarra require one year in barrel for reds.

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9
Q

Reserva?

A

Red wines must be matured for three calendar years following the harvest; including a minimum of one year in barricas. White and rose must be matured for two calendar years; of which six months must be in barricas.

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10
Q

Gran Reserva?

A

Red wines must be matured for five calendar years following the harvest; including a minimum of 18 months in barricas. White and rose must be matured for four calendar years; of which six months must be in barricas. Rioja; Ribera del Duero; and Navarra require two years in barrel for reds.

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11
Q

Noble?

A

Noble wine has been matured 18 months in cask (min size 60 liters). The term can be applied only to a Vino de la Tierra wine or better.

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12
Q

Añejo?

A

Añejo wine has been aged 24 months in cask (min size 60 liters). The term can be applied only to a Vino de la Tierra wine or better.

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13
Q

Viejo?

A

Viejo wine must undergo 36 months aging in cask (min size 60 liters) and the wines must show an oxidative character. The term can be applied only to a Vino de la Tierra wine or better.

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14
Q

Galicia?

A

The region is often referred to as the “green corner” of Spain; most of the region’s vineyards are located in the valleys of the River Miño. Exposed on two sides to the Atlantic Ocean. Galician wines bear striking similarities to those of Minho (particularly Vinho Verde); just across the border in Portugal.

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15
Q

Galicia red varieties?

A

Red wines are produced only in warmer inland areas - typically light in style and made from Mencia.

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16
Q

Galicia white varieties?

A

Apart from Albarino; the main white grape varieties are Loureiro; Torrontes; Godello; Treixadura and Caiño Blanco - a Galician obscurity often mistaken for Albarino.

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17
Q

Galicia DO Regions?

A

Rias Baixas DO; Ribeiro DO; Ribeira Sacra DO; Monterrei DO; Valdeorras DO.

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18
Q

Rias Baixas DO?

A

The Atlantic Ocean is a key influence on the Rias Baixas climate. Average rainfall is very high here; sometimes exceeding 71 inches (1800 millimeters) a year. These conditions help the Albarino grapes to retain crisp; mouth-watering acidity - vital for the distinctive style of the local wines.

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19
Q

Sub-zones of Rias Baixas?

A

Val do Salnes (Soils here are largely granite and rock with alluvial top-soil; the best wines); Condado do Tea (warmest part); Rosal; Soutomaior (smallest); and Ribera do Ulla.

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20
Q

Rias Baixas white varieties?

A

For a wine to be labeled Rías Baixas; its varietal composition must be at least 70% Albarino. Depending on the sub-zone it comes from; the other grapes used are Treixadura; Torrontes; Loureiro and Caiño Blanco; a rarely-seen Galician grape which is often mistaken for Albarino.

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21
Q

Rias Baixas red varieties?

A

Minute quantity of red wines are made in under the Rias Baixas; predominantly from Mencia and Sousao (Vinhao).

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22
Q

Ribeiro DO?

A

Soil is mostly sandy/alluvial on the terraced sides of river valleys; granite bedrock on altitude between 100 to 350 meters. The maritime influence of the Atlantic Ocean is evident in Ribeiro; with relatively high rainfall and humidity

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23
Q

Ribeiro DO wines?

A

85 per cent production is white wines from Treixadura; Torrontes; Godello; Loureiro and Albarino. Reds are produced from Caino; Mencia; Brancellao and Tempranillo.

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24
Q

Ribeiro DO rivers?

A

Four rivers - the Barbatino; Avia; Arnoia and Miño - converge here.

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25
Q

Ribeira Sacra DO?

A

Specializes in the production of dry red wines from the Mencia grape on slate and granite soils. There are three main types of wine here; all of them varietal: red Mencía Joven; and white Albariño and Godello.

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26
Q

Ribeira Sacra DO sub-regions?

A

Ribeira Sacra is divided into five sub-regions: Amandi; Chantada; Quiroga-Bibei; Ribeiras do Mino and Ribeiras do Sil.

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27
Q

Monterrei DO?

A

Climatically; the region is very different from the rest of Galicia. Monterrei’s inland location makes it warm and dry during summer and very cold in winter; more in line with the vineyards of Castilla y Leon to the east. This is largely due to the rain shadow effect produced by the Sierra de Larouca mountain range.

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28
Q

Monterrei DO sub-zones?

A

Monterrei is divided into two sub-zones: Ledeira de Monterrei (Slopes of Monterrei) and Val de Monterrei (Monterrei Valley).

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29
Q

Monterrei DO varieties?

A

The principal white-wine varieties; in descending order; are Godello (Verdelho) Treixadura; Dona Blanca and Albarino; and for the red wines Mencia and Merenzao (Trousseau).

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30
Q

Monterrei Wine Types?

A

Monterrei Blanco; which must contain 60 percent of the preferred varieties (Godello; Treixadura; Doña Blanca); with the remaining 40 percent from other permitted grapes; and Monterrei Tinto; which must contain 60 percent Mencía and/or Merenzao.

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31
Q

Monterrei Superior?

A

The Monterrei Superior label is given to wines with 85% of grapes from preferred varieties.

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32
Q

Valdeorras DO?

A

As Galicia’s most inland region; Valdeorras has a predominantly continental climate. The whites; produced from Godello (Verdelho) grapes; are particularly well known.

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33
Q

Valdeorras Castas Nobles?

A

Valdeorras Castas Nobles wines are produced containing a minimum of 85% of the preferred grape varieties of the region: Loureira; Treixadura; Dona Branca; Albarino; Torrontes and Lado. If Palomino (an authorised grape) is added; the wine is classified as Valdeorras Blanco.

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34
Q

Valdeorras DO red wine?

A

Mencia forms the basis of most of the red wines produced in Valdeorras. It can appear as a varietal or blended with Garnacha or Cabernet Sauvignon.

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35
Q

Valdeorras Espumoso?

A

Consejo Regulador; also allows the production of sparkling Valdeorras Espumoso from 85 percent Godello grapes; and of Valdeorras Tostado; a sweet wine made from Godello or approved red-wine varieties.

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36
Q

Madrid?

A

The region of Madrid has a temperate continental Mediterranean climate with cold winters and warm summers; average rainfall is 500 mm.

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37
Q

Vinos de Madrid DO sub-zones?

A

Arganda (the largest; Tinto Fino; Airen and Malvar for whites; mixture of clay and lime). San Martin (Garnacha and Albillo; weathered-rock soil); Navalcarnero (clay-based soil; Garnacha and Malvar).

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38
Q

Vinos de Madrid DO other approved varieties?

A

There are a number of other grape varieties permitted in every sub-zone: Cabernet Sauvignon; Merlot and Syrah for reds; and Moscatel; Parellada; Viura and Torrontes for whites.

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39
Q

Murcia?

A

The climate here is divided between coastal influences of the nearby sea and the continental influences of Spain’s hot; arid interior.

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40
Q

Murcia wine?

A

The classic Murcian wine is a robust; fruit-driven red made from Monastrell. Apart from Monastrell; other notable grape varieties include Tempranillo; Cabernet Sauvignon; Merlot and Syrah for reds and Macabeo; Airen and Merseguera for whites.

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41
Q

Murcia DO Regions?

A

Jumilla DO; Bullas DO; Yecla DO.

42
Q

Jumilla DO?

A

Murcia’s oldest and most important in terms of quantity and quality. Hot; dry and harsh is the best way to describe the zone. The climate is arid; with rainfall amounting to just 300 mm.

43
Q

Jumilla DO red varieties?

A

Jumilla specializes in wines based on the Monastrell which accounts for more than 80% of vines and it is well suited to the harsh conditions here. Syrah; Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have steadily increased in recent years mainly to add body and character to the Monastrell-based reds.

44
Q

Jumilla DO white varieties?

A

The principal white varieties are Airen; Macabeo; Pedro Ximenez and Malvasia; and other international grapes are authorized as well; including Chardonnay.

45
Q

Bullas DO?

A

Bullas has a similar climate to Murcia’s other wine regions; with the Mediterranean effects marginalised by the hot; dry conditions of the central Iberian plateau. However; higher-altitude vineyards in the region’s hilly north-west are noticeably cooler; and it is here that grapes are grown for the majority of Bullas wines.

46
Q

Bullas DO red varieties?

A

Monastrell reigns supreme for reds and roses; others are Cabernet Sauvignon; Garnacha; Syrah; Tempranillo; Merlot and Petit Verdot.

47
Q

Bullas DO white varieties?

A

A small number of white wines are produced; predominantly from the Macabeo and Airen grapes; although Chardonnay; Malvasia Blanca; Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc are also permitted.

48
Q

Yecla DO?

A

Yecla’s hot; dry summers are ideal for the late-ripening Monastrell grape variety; which represents 80% of plantings; the rest are Garnacha; Tempranillo; Cabernet Sauvignon; Merlot and Syrah.

49
Q

Yecla DO white wine?

A

The small quantity of white produced each year is made from Chardonnay; Macabeo and Airen. Yecla is dominated by La Purísima; the single largest co-operative in Spain.

50
Q

Other Murcia Appellations?

A

Murcia VT (same as rest of Murcia); Campo de Cartagena VT (Chardonnay).

51
Q

Valencia Appellations?

A

Valencia DO; Alicante DO; Utiel-Requena DO.

52
Q

Valencia DO sub-zones?

A

Clarino; Alto Turia; Moscatel de Valencia; and Valentino.

53
Q

Clarino?

A

Meaty reds made from Monastrell; Tempranillo; Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the specialty here.

54
Q

Alto Turia?

A

Cooler climate; dry whites from Macabeo and Merseguera.

55
Q

Moscatel de Valencia?

A

Moscatel de Alejandra is the variety behind the lusciously sweet wines.

56
Q

Valentino?

A

Macabeo; Merseguera; Chardonnay ; and Semillon for whites; Garnacha; Tempranillo; Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for reds.

57
Q

Alicante DO sub-zones?

A

La Marina and Vinalopo.

58
Q

La Marina?

A

La Marina is coastal region; Med. Climate; Moscatel used for traditional dessert and fortified wines. The most famous of these are labeled ‘Moscatel de Alicante.’

59
Q

Vinalopo?

A

The Vinalopo which follows the river of the same name; climate becomes continental; rainfall is just 300 mm; Monastrell for red and rose wines.

60
Q

Alicante Varieties?

A

Traditional are Monastrell; Alicante Bouschet; Bobal and Moscatel de Alejandria. Recently approved are Cabernet Sauvignon; Merlot; Tempranillo and Garnacha for red. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for whites.

61
Q

Fondillon?

A

Sweet wine dating back to the 1600s; which can be compared to the Pedro-Ximénez wines from Montilla-Moriles. Fondillon is made from the best overripe Monastrell grapes; which are unfortified and naturally sweet. With a solera maturation of min. 8 years; these wines attain great complexity and depth of flavors.

62
Q

Utiel-Requena DO?

A

Climate is between Mediterranean and continental; the higher-altitude vineyards. Bobal; a native red-wine variety; dominates plantings plus in recent years Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. Traditional doble pasta wines from Bobal.

63
Q

Levante?

A

Levante is the collective name for four Mediterranean provinces of Spain forming two autonomous regions officially known as Comunidad Valenciana and Murcia.

64
Q

Levante appellations?

A

Alicante; Utiel-Requena; Valencia in the Valencian autonomy; and Bullas; Jumilla; and Yecla in Murcia.

65
Q

Navarre?

A

Navarra has just a single DO title for its wines; the regional Navarra DO; which was created in 1933.

66
Q

Navarra DO?

A

Its proximity to the Bay of Biscay in the northwest; the Pyrenees in the northeast and the Ebro River all combine to moderate temperatures created by the effects of the Mediterranean and the continental climate. This huge diversity across the region has led to the creation of five sub-zones.

67
Q

Navarre DO sub-zones?

A

Baja Montaña; Tierra Estella; Ribera Alta; Ribera Baja; and Valdizarbe.

68
Q

Navarra DO red wines?

A

Traditionally known for rose wines produced from Granacha; now move to production of red wines mostly from Tempranillo. Also more plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

69
Q

Navarra DO white wines?

A

Navarra’s small quantity of white wines are mainly based on Chardonnay; Viura and Garnacha Blanca. Natural sweet wines are also permitted to be made from Moscatel.

70
Q

EVENA?

A

Estación de Viticultura y Enología de Navarra - oenological research station.

71
Q

Ribera del Queiles VT?

A

The viticultural area it covers straddles the border between Navarra and Aragon; specialized in red wine. International favorites Cabernet Sauvignon; Merlot and Syrah are grown alongside local varieties Tempranillo; Garnacha and Graciano.

72
Q

Rioja DOC?

A

Centred on the regional capital Logroño; Rioja divides into three zones: Rioja Alta (Haro); Rioja Alavesa (Basque); and Rioja Baja (Calahorra and Alfaro). Marqués de Murrieta established Rioja’s first commercial bodega in 1850.

73
Q

Rioja Alavesa?

A

Smallest; vineyards lie at high altitudes (1300-3930ft/400-1200m); soil on the slopes and terraces where most of the vines are grown is rich in chalky clay and limestone; rainfall is around 20 inches (500mm) on average.

74
Q

Rioja Alavesa producers?

A

Notable producers include Marqués de Riscal; Domecq Bodegas; Bodegas Palacio and Remelluri.

75
Q

Rioja Alta?

A

The most important; both in terms of quality and the quantity; higher altitudes; soil; although less rich in limestone than in Rioja Alavesa; has a healthy mix of clay; iron and alluvial components. When compared with Rioja Alavesa; these wines tend to be finer; lighter in body and lower in acid.

76
Q

Rioja Alta producers?

A

Among the most notable producers are Artadi El Pison; Bodegas Muga; Bodegas Marques de Murrieta; La Rioja Alta and Bodegas Marques de Caceres.

77
Q

Rioja Baja?

A

The largest; low-altitude vineyards; very dry and warm summers; a result of the influence of the Mediterranean Sea; the chalk content is minimal; with larger proportions of silt and alluvial components as well as ferrous-clay. Drought is also a real threat. Co-operatives.

78
Q

Rioja red varieties?

A

Tempranillo (clay and limestone slopes) is most widely planted; Garnacha (gives body if used; rose wines); Graciano (excellent flavor; small crop); Mazuelo (Cariñena; lesser quality); Maturana Tinta; Cabernet Sauvignon (experimental; Marqués de Riscal).

79
Q

Rioja white varieties?

A

Viura (majority); Malvasía (used to be); Garnacha Blanca; Tempranillo Blanco; Maturana Blanca; Turruntés (don`t confuse with Torrontes) and international varieties Verdejo; Sauvignon Blanc; and Chardonnay are also permitted.

80
Q

Rioja Regulations?

A

Minimum of 2;850 vines per hectare and a maximum of 4;000; maximum production limits per hectare for red wines is 6;500 kg; for white wines is 9;000 kg;

81
Q

Production of Red Wines?

A

For red wines made with destemmed grapes; a minimum of 95 percent of grapes should be Tempranillo; Garnacha Tinta; Graciano or Mazuelo. For red wines made with whole grapes; this figure should be no less than 85 percent.

82
Q

Production of White Wines?

A

In the vinification of white wines; only Viura; Garnacha Blanca; Malvasía; Maturana Blanca and Tempranillo Blanco grapes may be used. Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo grapes may be used but none of them may dominate in the final product.

83
Q

Ebro River?

A

The longest river in Spain; 566 miles (911 km); source is Pico de los Tres Mares in Cantabria and the mouth is just below Barcelona. Feeding into the Ebro on its right bank; flowing from south to north are seven small tributaries that form seven valleys.

84
Q

Ebro Tributaries Valleys?

A

Oja Valley (Haro); Najerilla Valley (greatest concentration of vineyards); Iregua Valley (Logrono); Leza Valley; Jubera Valley; Cidacos Valley; Alhama Valley.

85
Q

Rioja Mountains?

A

The Cantabrian Mountains (protects from cold Atlantic winds); the Sierra de la Demanda (blocks western winds); the Yerga Mountains (shield from warm Med. gusts).

86
Q

Cosecha Wines?

A

They are also called Joven but this rarely appears on a wine label. The wine is aged less than one year in oak and less than one year in the bottle before release. Some excellent wines produced in modern style such as Vinos de Autor (highly concentrated; high use of French oak) are labeled Cosecha.

87
Q

Rioja Colored-coded Guarantee of Origin?

A

Cosecha - olive green label; Crianza - bright red; Reserva - burgundy; Gran Reserva - royal blue.

88
Q

Traditional Rioja Bodegas?

A

Campo Viejo; C.V.N.E (Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana); Dinastia Vivanco; Marques de Murrieta; Marques de Riscal; Ramon Bilbao.

89
Q

New Rioja Bodegas?

A

Baron de Ley; Breton; Artadi; Baigorri; Muriel.

90
Q

Valles de Sadacia VT?

A

Covers a large area of the Rioja wine region and only white-wine grapes are authorized. Valles de Sadacia VT wine can be vinified dulce (sweet); semidulce (semi-sweet); semiseco (semi-dry) or seco (dry); depending on the extent of fermentation and the resultant residual sugar.

91
Q

Valles de Sadacia VT varieties?

A

The most important variety is Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains). It is perfectly suited to the dry; mild conditions; Moscatel de Alejandria is also important and two Muscats must comprise at least 85% of the blend. The other permitted varieties are Garnacha Blanca; Viura and Malvasia.

92
Q

Vendimia?

A

Harvest or vintage. Other term is Cosecha.

93
Q

Doble Pasta?

A

A powerful wine made using methods similar to Italy’s ripasso; that is; the addition of grape skins to a finished or fermenting wine.

94
Q

Orujo?

A

The Spanish form of grappa or marc; a distillate made from grape pomace.

95
Q

Roble?

A

Literally “oak;” but this term can appear upon a label; most often; of a Joven wine;.It informs the buyer that the wine has spent at least a little time in barrel.

96
Q

VORS?

A

“Vinum Optimum Rare Signatum” or “Very Old Rare Sherry” is a new Sherry term used to guarantee that the wine has been aged for a minimum average of 30 years. That long time in oak causes a high degree of evaporation; so the VORS designation suggests that the wine is very expensive to produce. These wines are bottled in very limited quantities.

97
Q

VOS?

A

“Vinum Optimum Signatum” or “Very Old Sherry” is a new Sherry term used to guarantee that the wine has been aged for a minimum average of 20 years. That long time in oak causes a high degree of evaporation; so the VOS designation suggests that the wine is expensive to produce.

98
Q

Vinos de Autor?

A

Classical wines with an added dimension: wines made from selected grapes (from old vines; from a single vineyard; or from special parcels or plots); usually featuring plenty of new oak; produced in limited quantities; and sold in a special packaging. Also known as High Concept wines; Signature wines; or Flagship wines.

99
Q

Vitivinicultor?

A

A new term used to describe a Spanish winemaker who is both the grower and the maker of the wine; the equivalent of the French term vigneron.

100
Q

Méthode Champenoise?

A

By law; European countries can’t use the term Méthode Champenoise; so in Spain the terms Método Tradicional or Método Clásico is placed on the bottle instead.

Spain Wine (4 decks)

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