Spain 3

Question 1

Spain Production?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Spain Regulations?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Spain Quality Levels?

Answer 3

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).

Question 4

Vino Comarcal (VC)?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)?

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Vinos de Pagos?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Joven?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Crianza?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Reserva?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Gran Reserva?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Noble?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Añejo?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Viejo?

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Galicia?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Galicia red varieties?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Galicia white varieties?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Galicia DO Regions?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Rias Baixas DO?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Sub-zones of Rias Baixas?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Rias Baixas white varieties?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Rias Baixas red varieties?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Ribeiro DO?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Ribeiro DO wines?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Ribeiro DO rivers?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Ribeira Sacra DO?

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Ribeira Sacra DO sub-regions?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Monterrei DO?

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Monterrei DO sub-zones?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Monterrei DO varieties?

Answer 29

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).

Question 30

Monterrei Wine Types?

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

Monterrei Superior?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Valdeorras DO?

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Valdeorras Castas Nobles?

Answer 33

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.

Question 34

Valdeorras DO red wine?

Answer 34

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.

Question 35

Valdeorras Espumoso?

Answer 35

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.

Question 36

Madrid?

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Vinos de Madrid DO sub-zones?

Answer 37

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).

Question 38

Vinos de Madrid DO other approved varieties?

Answer 38

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.

Question 39

Murcia?

Answer 39

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

Question 40

Murcia wine?

Answer 40

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.

Question 41

Murcia DO Regions?

Answer 41

Jumilla DO; Bullas DO; Yecla DO.

Question 42

Jumilla DO?

Answer 42

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.

Question 43

Jumilla DO red varieties?

Answer 43

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.

Question 44

Jumilla DO white varieties?

Answer 44

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

Question 45

Bullas DO?

Answer 45

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.

Question 46

Bullas DO red varieties?

Answer 46

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

Question 47

Bullas DO white varieties?

Answer 47

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.

Question 48

Yecla DO?

Answer 48

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.

Question 49

Yecla DO white wine?

Answer 49

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.

Question 50

Other Murcia Appellations?

Answer 50

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

Question 51

Valencia Appellations?

Answer 51

Valencia DO; Alicante DO; Utiel-Requena DO.

Question 52

Valencia DO sub-zones?

Answer 52

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

Question 53

Clarino?

Answer 53

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

Question 54

Alto Turia?

Answer 54

Cooler climate; dry whites from Macabeo and Merseguera.

Question 55

Moscatel de Valencia?

Answer 55

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

Question 56

Valentino?

Answer 56

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

Question 57

Alicante DO sub-zones?

Answer 57

La Marina and Vinalopo.

Question 58

La Marina?

Answer 58

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.'

Question 59

Vinalopo?

Answer 59

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

Question 60

Alicante Varieties?

Answer 60

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.

Question 61

Fondillon?

Answer 61

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.

Question 62

Utiel-Requena DO?

Answer 62

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.

Question 63

Levante?

Answer 63

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

Question 64

Levante appellations?

Answer 64

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

Question 65

Navarre?

Answer 65

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

Question 66

Navarra DO?

Answer 66

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.

Question 67

Navarre DO sub-zones?

Answer 67

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

Question 68

Navarra DO red wines?

Answer 68

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.

Question 69

Navarra DO white wines?

Answer 69

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.

Question 70

EVENA?

Answer 70

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

Question 71

Ribera del Queiles VT?

Answer 71

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.

Question 72

Rioja DOC?

Answer 72

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.

Question 73

Rioja Alavesa?

Answer 73

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.

Question 74

Rioja Alavesa producers?

Answer 74

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

Question 75

Rioja Alta?

Answer 75

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.

Question 76

Rioja Alta producers?

Answer 76

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

Question 77

Rioja Baja?

Answer 77

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.

Question 78

Rioja red varieties?

Answer 78

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).

Question 79

Rioja white varieties?

Answer 79

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.

Question 80

Rioja Regulations?

Answer 80

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;

Question 81

Production of Red Wines?

Answer 81

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.

Question 82

Production of White Wines?

Answer 82

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.

Question 83

Ebro River?

Answer 83

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.

Question 84

Ebro Tributaries Valleys?

Answer 84

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

Question 85

Rioja Mountains?

Answer 85

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

Question 86

Cosecha Wines?

Answer 86

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.

Question 87

Rioja Colored-coded Guarantee of Origin?

Answer 87

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

Question 88

Traditional Rioja Bodegas?

Answer 88

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

Question 89

New Rioja Bodegas?

Answer 89

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

Question 90

Valles de Sadacia VT?

Answer 90

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.

Question 91

Valles de Sadacia VT varieties?

Answer 91

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.

Question 92

Vendimia?

Answer 92

Harvest or vintage. Other term is Cosecha.

Question 93

Doble Pasta?

Answer 93

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

Question 94

Orujo?

Answer 94

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

Question 95

Roble?

Answer 95

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.

Question 96

VORS?

Answer 96

"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.

Question 97

VOS?

Answer 97

"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.

Question 98

Vinos de Autor?

Answer 98

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.

Question 99

Vitivinicultor?

Answer 99

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.

Question 100

Méthode Champenoise?

Answer 100

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.