Spain Flashcards
Spain Appellations
- Rias Baixas
- Rioja
- Ribera del Duero
- Toro
- Rueda
- Penedes
- Priorat
- La Mancha
- Jerez-Xeres-Sherry
Spain Wine Laws
Wines w/o geographic indication:
-Vino
Wines w/ geographic indication:
- IGP Wines
- —Vino de la Tierra (VdlT) - similar to French Vin de Pays, noting a specific location yet with few requirements in terms of grape variety, yields, or aging
- DOP Wines
- —VCIG Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica. A category used as a gateway for current VdlT regions to gain DO status
- —DO Denominacion de Origen. Equates to the french AOC. Each DO has a regulatory body that is responsible for creating and defining wine law and regulations for each DO.
- —DOCa Denominacion de Origen Calificada. A step above the DO category recognizing the top quality wine regions in Spain. To date there are two wine regions recognized as DOCa, Rioja and Priorat.
- Vinos de Pagos
- —A single estate wine that is noted as a great estate of Spain and can be situated outside of the DO system. The wine from a DO Pago must be made and bottled at that domain or estate. An estate within an existing DO must surpass the basic DO requirements.
Rias Baixas DO Geography
Borders Portugal in the northwest corner of Spain. This area is called “Green Spain” because relatively high rainfall for Spain results in lush vegetation.
Rias Baixas DO Climate
Due to proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and hte numerous rivers that flow through the region, the climate is humid and maritime
Rias Baixas DO Soil Type
Granite, alluvial, and slate
Rias Baixas DO Grape Varietals
White:
-Albarino represents 90% of plantings in this area and must be 100% Albarino if varietally labeled. Most Spanish wine labels feature a geographic name, but here the grape variety appears on the bottle.
Rias Baixas DO Vinification
- Stainless steel fermentation
- Crisp, dry, aromatic white wine
Rioja DOCa Geography
The region is located in north-central Spain and is protected by the Pyrenees Mountains to the northeast and the Cantabrian Mountains to the northwest.
Rioja DOCa Climate
- Continental
- Mountains create a rain shadow protecting the region from harsh Atlantic weather
- There are three sub-regions within Rioja, each with slightly different climates
- —Alavesa
- —Alta
- —Baja
Rioja DOCa Grape Varietals
White:
-Viura
Red:
- Tempranillo
- Garnacha
Rioja DOCa Vinification
- Length and time of oak aging is the primary focus of quality categories
- Traditionally, American oak was used but today producers use French oak as well
Rioja DOCa Quality Levels
- Crianza: Requires a total two years of aging before release
- Reserva: Requires wines be aged for three years, including one year in oak. These wines are from the best sites, best vintages, and best selection of grapes.
- Gran Reserva: Requires that wines age for at least two years in oak and three years in bottle. These are generally sourced from the best sites and made only in top vintages. Gran Reserva wines are rare and can offer outstanding value.
Ribera del Duero DO Geography
Southwest of Rioja with the Duoro River flowing east to west
Ribera del Duero DO Climate
Continental with a challenging climate of very hot summers and cold winters and extreme diurnal shifts
Ribera del Duero DO Topography
On the high central plateau (Meseta) at 2500 feet these are the highest elevation vineyards in Spain
Ribera del Duero DO Grape Varietals
Red:
-Tempranillo (known locally as “Tinto Fino”)
Ribera del Duero DO Viticulture
The high elevation and intense diurnal shifts allow the grapes to get very ripe while preserving natural acidity in spite of the hot summers
Ribera del Duero DO Vinification
Red wines only, with a small production of rose
Toro DO Geography
Southwest of Ribera del Duero, with the Duoro river flowing west through the northern region
Toro DO Climate
Continental, with extremely hot, dry summers
Toro DO Grape Varietals
Red:
-Tempranillo (known locally as “Tinto de Toro”)
Toro DO Vinification
Toro is known for rich, intense red wines
Rueda DO Geography
West adjacent to Toro with the Duoro river flowing east through the middle
Rueda DO Climate
Continental
Rueda DO Grape Varietals
White:
- Verdejo
- Sauvignon Blanc
Rueda DO Vinification
Rueda is best known for crisp, dry white wines
Penedes DO / Cava DO Geography
Located west of Barcelona
Penedes DO / Cava DO Climate
Mediterranean
Penedes DO / Cava DO Grape Varietals
White:
- Macabeo
- Xarel-lo
- Parellada
Penedes DO / Cava DO Vinification
Sparkling wines made by the traditional method
Priorat DOCa Geography
West of Penedes/Cava. A very rugged area just a few miles from the Mediterranean Sea but completely isolated and surrounded by mountains
Priorat DOCa Climate
Hot and dry
Priorat DOCa Soil
Stony schist soils, with the best vineyards situated on “llicorella,” a mix of black slate and quartzite
Priorat DOCa Grape Varietals
Red:
- Garnacha (Grenache)
- Carinena (Carignan)
Priorat DOCa Viticulture
- Low yields due to the climate
- Vines must dig deeply for water due to the nature of the soil
Priorat DOCa Vinification
Intense, concentrated, dry red wines
