Spain Flashcards
What are the aging requirements for a Crianza red wine of Ribera del Duero and how do they differ from the general Crianza wines of Spain?
A Crianza red wine in Rioja must be aged for at least 2 years including 1 year in cask.
A general crianza red wine of Spain must be aged for at least 2 years with 6 months in cask.
What are the aging requirements for a Crianza red wine of Rioja and how do they differ from the general Crianza wines of Spain?
A Crianza red wine in Rioja must be aged for at least 2 years including 1 year in cask.
A general crianza red wine of Spain must be aged for at least 2 years with 6 months in cask.
What are the dominant red grapes of Montsant DO?
Garnacha
Cariñena
What are the aging requirements for a Gran Reserva red wine of Ribera del Duero and how do they differ from the general Gran Reserva wines of Spain?
A gran reserva red wine of Rioja must be aged for at least 2 years in oak and 3 years in the bottle
A general gran reserva red wine of Spain must be aged for 5 years including 18 months in oak.
What grape thrives in Medio-Penedés?
Ull de Llebre
(Tempranillo)
The Navarra DO has long been famous for producing what type of wine?
Rosado
In the Ribera del Duero DO, rosados and red wines that do not meet the minimum aging requirements for crianza are considered what?
Vino joven
Name the 3 authorized grapes for the production of Sherry in descending order of importance.
Palomino
Pedro Ximénez
Moscatel
What are the aging requirements for a Gran Reserva red wine of Rioja and how do they differ from the general Gran Reserva wines of Spain?
A gran reserva red wine of Rioja must be aged for at least 2 years in oak and 3 years in the bottle
A general gran reserva red wine of Spain must be aged for 5 years including 18 months in oak.
Describe the soils types found in the 3 subzones of Rioja.
Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta share a similar soil stucture with a high proportion of calcareous clay.
Rioja Baja, the hottest subregion, contains more alluvial soils and ferrous clay.
Describe Llicorella.
Llicorella, a mix of black slate and quartzite, characterizes the best vineyards, requiring the vines to dig deeply for water.
What is considered to be Spain’s prmier red wine region?
Rioja DOCa
What grape comprises 70% of the blend in red wines of Bierzo DO?
Mencía
What are some other prominent white grapes used in Rioja to make wine?
Garnacha Blanca
Malvasía Riojano
Maturana Blanca
If a wine of Rías Baixas is labeled with one of the southern subzones (O Rosal or Condado do Tea) what % of Albariño must be used in the blend?
70% must be comprised of Alabriño and Loureira or Treixadura
What grapes are used to produce the sweet wines of the Málaga DO?
Pedro Ximénez
Moscatel
What sets apart the Cava DO from other DO’s in Spain?
Cava DO is the only Denominación de Origen that covers a style, rather than a region.
List the DO’s of Castilla y León
Ribera del Duero
Arlanza
Cigales
Rueda
Toro
Tierra del Vino de Zamora
Arribes
Benavente
Tierra de León
Bierzo
List and describe the 5 categories of Málaga.
Málaga Pálido ( Max 6 mo in oak)
Málaga (6 to 24 mo)
Málaga Noble (2 to 3 years)
Málaga Añejo (3 to 5 years)
Málaga Transañejo (Minimum 5 years)
Although Cava has its own DO, 95% of Cava is produced in which DO?
Penedés DO
What are the aging requirements for a Reserva red wine of Rioja and how do they differ from the general Reserva red wines of Spain?
Reserva red wine in Rioja requires at least 3 years of aging including 1 in cask.
There is no aging difference between a reserva red wine from Rioja and the rest of Spain
List the 5 subzones of Rías Baixas
Val do Salnés, Ribeira do Ulla (Northern)
Soutomaior
O Rosal, Condado do Tea (Southern)
Which subzone of Rioja is the furthest north?
Rioja Alavesa
Valdepeñas DO and La Mancha DO share the same climate and prominent grapes of Airén and Cencibel. What sets them apart?
The soil
Valdepeñas DO has a higher concentration of chalk bedrock which provides better retention of water in the arid envirionment
What river cuts through Rioja flowing from the northwest to southeast?
The Ebro river
What DOCa found in Catalania is home to some of Spain’s riches, most concentrated red wines?
Priorat DOCa
In Valencia, the Alicante DO is known for what type of dessert wine?
Fondillón
A solera-style, oxidative dessert wine produced from overripe Monastrell and aged for a minimum of 10 years.
Despite being found only in southern Spain, what grape claims more acreage than any other white grape in the world?
Airén
Due to vast tracts of low-density plantings in La Mancha DO
Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero DO is also known as what?
Tinto del País
Tinto Fino
Which region, being one of Europe’s highest altitude winegrowing regions, is perfectly suited to cultivate the white Parellada grape?
Alt-Penedés of the Penedés DO
Describe the doble pasta style used to produce red wines in the Utiel-Requena DO of Valencia
Doble pasta red wines are macerated and fermented with twice the normal amount of grape skins and pulp, resulting in a wine of intense concentration, tannin and color.
Often, doble pasta wines are used to strengthen weaker blends.
What autonomía in Spain is emerging as one of the best areas for the production of crisp, refreshing white wines?
Galacia
What grapes are used to make white wine in the Bierzo DO?
Palomino
Godello
Where is the Navarra DO found in relation to Rioja DOCa?
The Navarra DO is adjacent to the northern and eastern borders of Rioja.
What are some local grapes used to make wine in the Somontano DO?
Alcañón (white)
Parraleta (red)
What other white grapes may be used in Rioja but cannot account for more than a combined 49% of the blend?
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Verdejo
What are the aging requirements for a Reserva white wine of Rioja and how do they differ from the general Reserva wines of Spain?
A Reserva white wine of Rioja must be aged for 2 years including 6 months in oak.
There is no difference in aging requirements of a reserva white wine from Rioja or Spain in general.