Spain Flashcards
Ribera del Duero - topogaphy?
The Meseta! (high central plateau); 2500ft, the highest elevation in Spain
Rueda - climate?
Continental
What characterizes the geography in Priorat DOCa?
- Rugged
- Only a few miles from Mediterranean BUT completely isolated by mountains
What characterizes the location of Penedes DO / Cava DO?
Environs of Barcelona
Rias Baixas - soil?
Granite, alluvial, slate
Priorat is one of two __________ in Spain.
DOCa’s
What percentage of plantings does Albarino account for in Rias Baixas?
90%
Rias Baixas - what is the climate and why?
- Humid and Maritime
- Due to Atlantic and numerous rivers
What are the aging requirement for a Gran Reserva?
- 2 years in oak and 3 years in bottle
- Generally sourced from best sites
- Only made in top vintages
- Rare and can offer outstanding value
Define a Vinos de Pagos wine?
- Single estate wine noted as a great estate in Spain
- Can be within or outside of the DO system
- Wine WITHIN a DO must surpass basic DO requirements
- Wine OUTSIDE a DO must be made and bottled at that domain or estate
Define a DOCa wine?
- Under DOP
- Denominacion de Origen Calificada
- Top quality wine regions in Spain
- Only two! Rioja and Priorat
What characterizes the topography in Spain?
Mountains and the Meseta Plateau
List the 4 wine classifications in Spain.
- Vino
- IGP Wines
- DOP Wines (VCIG, DO, DOCa)
- Vinos de Pagos
What are the aging requirements for a Reserva?
- 3 years including 1 in oak
- Best sites, vintages, and grape selections
Ribera del Duero - what characterizes the viticulture?
- High Elevation and Diurnal Shifts
- Allows grapes to get very ripe while preserving natural acidity
If an Albarino is varietally labeled from Rias Baixas, what percentage must be in the bottle?
100%
What is unique about Spain’s acreage under vine?
Largest planted acreage of any wine producing country
What are the DOCa aging quality levels for red wines?
- Crianza
- Riserva
- Gran Riserva
What are the sub-classifications of DOP wines?
- VCIG (Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica)
- DO (Denominacion de Origen)
- DOCa (Denominacion de Origen Calificada)
Define a VCIG wine?
- Under DOP
- Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica
- Gateway category to become DO
Name the 3 sub-regions of Rioja.
- Rioja Alta
- Rioja Alavesa
- Rioja Baja
Priorat DOCa - grape varieties?
- Garnacha (Grenache)
- Carinena (Carignan)
Penedes DO / Cava DO - grape varieties?
- Macabeo
- Paralleda
- Xarel-lo
What is Priorat’s DOC designation labeled in Catalan?
DOQ
Toro - climate?
Continental (extremely hot, dry summers)
Rioja - climate?
Continental
What is another name for the Rias Baixas area and why?
“Green Spain”; receives a lot of rainfall, very lush
Penedes DO / Cava DO - climate?
Mediterranean
Name the 9 regions of Spain.
- Penedes
- Priorat
- Rioja
- Ribera del Duero
- Rueda
- Toro
- Rias Baixas
- La Mancha
- Jerez-Xeres-Sherry
What country does Spain border to the west?
Portugal
What is Rioja DOCa named after?
- Oja, a small tributary of the main river, Ebro
Where is Rioja located?
North-central Spain
What are the aging requirements for a Crianza?
2 years of aging before release
Where does Spain fall in global wine production? (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)
3rd
Where is Penedes DO / Cava DO located and what is it known for?
- Barcelona
- Traditional method sparkling wine
What fermentation vessels are used in Rias Baixas?
Stainless steel
Ribera del Duero - grape varieties?
Tempranillo
Define a DO wine?
- Under DOP
- Denominacion de Origen
- Equates to French AOC
- Each DO has regulatory body
Grape varieties in Rioja?
WHITE 1. Viura RED 1. Tempranillo 2. Garnacha
Priorate DOCa - what characterizes the viticulture?
- Low yields due to climate
- Vines must dig deep for water due to soil
How does the labeling of Albarino differ from that of other Spanish wines?
It is labeled by variety rather than geography
What characterizes the geography in Rioja?
- Pyrenees Mountains (northeast)
- Cantabrian Moutnains (northwest)
Rias Baixas - grape varieties?
Albarino
What style of wine is Toro known for?
Rich, intense red wines
What type of oak is used in Rioja?
Traditionally American; today French too
Ribera del Duero DO - climate?
- Continental (very hot summers + cold winters)
- Diurnal Shifts
Rueda - grape varieties?
- Verdejo
2. Sauvignon Blanc
What is the most well-known grape variety in Spain?
Tempranillo
Penedes DO / Cava DO - vinification?
Sparkling wines in the traditional method!
Priorat DOCa - climate?
Hot and dry
Aside from red wine, Ribera del Duero also produces a small amount of __________.
Rose
Where is Rias Baixas DO located?
- Northwest corner of Spain
- Borders Portugal
What bodies of water border Spain?
- Atlantic Ocean (north, northwest)
- Mediterranean Sea (south, east)
Priorat DOCa - soils?
- Stony schist
- Best vineyards are located on “Ilicorella” (a mix of black slate and quartzite)
What is “Ilicorella” and what wine region is it associated with?
- Mix of black slate and quartzite
- Priorate DOCa
Name two things that make Rioja important as a Spanish wine region.
- Highest profile red wine region in Spain
2. 1 of 2 DOCa’s
What style of wine is Ruedw known for?
Crisp, dry white wines
Which major wine regions are located in Northeastern Spain?
- Penedes DO / Cava Do
2. Priorat DOCa
Which three regions comprise the Duero River Valley in Spain?
- Ribera del Duero
- Rueda
- Toro
What characterizes vinification in Rioja?
Oak aging
Where is Spain located?
Eastern majority of the Iberian Peninsula
What characterizes IGP wines? (3)
- Also called Vino de le Tierra (VdlT)
- Similar to French “Vin de Pays”
- Noting specific region yet few other requirements
What is the local name for Tempranillo in Toro?
Tinto de Toro
Rioja - primary climate moderator?
Rain shadow from Cantabrian (and Pyrenees?)
Describe the wine style in Rias Baixas.
Crisp, dry aromatic whites
Ribera del Duero - vinification?
Red wines only
Toro - grape varieties?
Tempranillo
What is the climate in Spain?
Cool maritime in the north to arid warm in the center and south
What is the wine style in Priorat DOCa?
Intense, concentrated, dry red wines
What is the local term for Tempranillo in Spain?
Tinto Fino