Spain Flashcards
Which are the only 2 regions holding DOCa status?
Rioja and Priorat
What does DOCa stand for?
Denominación de Origen Calificada
What term does Priorat use instead of DOCa?
DOQ = Denominació d’Originen Qualificada
What are Vinos de Pago?
Single estates of high reputation who grow the grapes, vinify and mature the wines on the estate
What are PGI wines called in Spain?
Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)
What is the correct order for Gran Reserva, Reserva, Joven, Crianza
Joven, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva
What is the minimum ageing for Joven wines
- In oak
- in bottle
Joven wines are fresh and youthful so there is no ageing requirement, they’re drunk young
What is the minimum ageing for Crianza wines
- In oak
- in bottle
24 months total
6 in barrel
18 in bottle
What is the minimum ageing for Reserva wines
- In oak
- in bottle
36 months total
12 in barrel
24 in bottle
What is the minimum ageing for Gran Reserva wines
- In oak
- in bottle
60 months in total
18 in barrel
42 in bottle
What is the National grape of Spain and in which regions is it extensively used?
Tempranillo
Rioja, Navarra, Ribera del Duero, Toro and
La Mancha and Veldepeñas where it is called ‘Cencibel’
What is Tempranillo called in La Mancha and Veldepeñas?
Cencibel
What is the grape Carineña called in
Rioja?
In France?
Mazuelo in Rioja
Carignan in France
What 4 black grapes are permitted in Rioja?
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo
Whilst others are used what are the 3 grapes commonly used in Priorat?
Old vine Garnacha, old vine Carineña and Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the soil in Priorat called, what is its make up and what does it do?
Llicorella
Red slate with small particles of Mica which reflects heat in to the vines, conserves heat over night and helps retain water
What are the 3 regions so Rioja and what are their climates?
Rioja Alta, Rioja Alvesa - Maritime
Rioja Baja - Warm Continental with a risk of drought
What is the French grape Mourvèdre called in Spain?
Monastrell
Which 2 international black grapes are commonly grown in Spain?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
What are the 6 key wine regions of Spain?
Upper Ebro Catalunya The Duero Valley The North West The Levante Castilla La Mancha
What are the ideal growing conditions for Tempranillo?
Needs heat to develop flavour but moderating sea breezes and/or altitude to provide a diurnal range to maintain acidity.
Where would you usually find Monastrell?
What is the grape called in France?
What are the characteristics, aromas and flavours of the grape?
Somewhere hot and sunny like Valencia, Jumilla and Yecla
In France the grape is called Mourvèdre
Deep colour, full body, high tannin and alcohol with flavours of ripe blackberry fruit
Why would you use some Graciano making Rioja?
Use a small % in the finest wines to add concentrated black fruit flavours, acidity and tannins
Why might you use Carineña?
To add acidity, tannin and colour.
Ideal blended with Tempranillo or with Garnacha in Priorat
Mencia isn’t used widely but which DO does focus on it?
What aromas and flavours does it bring?
Used extensively in Bierzo
Likes a moderate climate, brings fresh fruit, medium~high acidity and sometimes slight herbaceous