Spain Flashcards
What are the 2 DOCa’s in Spain?
Rioja
Priorat (DOQ in Catalan)
What is the PGI classification in Spain?
VdIT - Vino de la Tierra
2 Important ones - VdIT de Castilla
VdIT de Castilla y Leon
What are the 4 Classifications of PDO wines in Spain?
DO - Denominacion de Origen
DOCa - Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOs of at least 10 yrs can apply)
VP - Vinos de Pago - single estates 9
VCIG - Vinos de Calidad con Inidicacion Geografica - stepping stone from Vdit to DO.
How long must a Joven wine be aged for?
No ageing requirements. Bottled in the year following the vintage.
What are the four ageing classifications in Spain?
Joven, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva
How long must a Crianza wine be aged for?
Red: min 24 months - 6 mo of that in oak
White/Rose: min 18 months - no min for oak
How long must Reserva wine be aged for in Spain?
Red: min 36 months - 12 mo small oak
White/Rose: 18 months - 6 mo in small oak
How long must Gran Reserva wine be aged for in Spain?
Red: Min 60 months - 18 in small oak
White/Rose: Min 48 months - 6 mo in small oak
What is the ageing requirements for Crianza wine from Rioja and Ribero Del Duero?
Red: 24 months - min 12 in oak
What is the ageing requirements for Gran Reserva wine from Rioja and Ribero Del Duero?
Red: 60 months - 24 in small oak
White/Rose (Rioja only) - 48 months - 12 in oak
T/F: White wine is made in Ribera Del Duero?
False
Describe the three climatic regions in Spain?
North West: moderate, maritime
East Coast: warm/hot mediterranean
Center: Hot continental
What is the name of the central plateau in Spain? And what growing conditions does it provide?
The Meseta
Removed from influence from both sea and mountains. Created an extremely hot flat desert area
T/F: White grape varieties account of the majority of plantings in Spain?
True!
What is the main grape used for rose in Spain?
Garnacha Tinto
What is the main grape of Priorat?
Garnacha Tinto
What is the main grape of Jumilla and Yecla region?
Monastrell - it is also grown in Catalunya where it is mainly used for Cava
Describe the wine style of Monastrell
Very dark, powerful spicy wines with high tannin and alcohol and med to low acidity
What is Carinena called in Rioja?
Mazuelo
Where is Mencia produced and what does it taste like?
Bierzo
med-high acid, fresh fruit, sometimes hint of herbaciousness
This grape used to be used for sherry and is highly susceptible to oxidation. It is thick skinned and resistant to fungal disease.
What is it?
Verdejo
What is the dominant grape found in Rias Baixas
Albarino
Describe the wine style of Albarino
intense peach, apricot fruit with high acid
What is the most widely planted grape in Spain?
Airen
Where is Airen most found ?
La Mancha
Which grape is used in the production of Brandy de Jerez?
Airen
Three grapes of Cava?
Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo
What is Macabeo called in Rioja
Viura
What grape is used in heavily oaked white Riojas?
Viura
What are the biggest viticulture challenges in Spain?
heat and lack of water
What training system is the best way to manage heat and water in Spain?
Low density, bush trained vineyard. Maximizes use of water and shades fruit from excessive heat.