Spain Flashcards
Where is Spain located?
Eastern majority of the Iberian Peninsula.
What is unique about Spain’s acreage under vine?
Spain has the largest planted acreage of any wine producing country. However, it is third in global production behind Italy and France.
What is the climate in Spain?
A variety of climates depending on the location, from cool maritime in the north to arid warm in the center of the country and to the south.
Name the nine wine regions of Spain?
What bodies of water border Spain?
Atlantic Ocean (north, northwest) and Mediterranean Sea (south, east).
What characterizes the topography in Spain?
Very mountainous with an interior, raised plateau called the Meseta.
What are the Spain grape varieties?
- Tempranillo
What are the four wine classifications in Spain?
- Vino
- IGP Wines
- DOP Wines (VCIG, DO, DOCa)
- Vinos de Pagos
Define a IGP\Vino de la Tierra wine?
Similar to French Vin de Pays, noting a specific location yet with few requirements in terms of grape variety, yields, or aging.
Define a VCIG wine?
Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica
A category used as a gateway for current VdlT regions to gain DO status.
Define a DO wine?
Denominación 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 it.
Define a DOCa wine?
Denominación 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.
Define a Vinos de Pagos wine?
A single estate wine designation that 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.
Where is Rías Baixas DO located?
Borders Portugal in the northwest corner of Spain. This area is called “Green Spain” because of its relatively high rainfall for Spain, which results in lush vegetation.
What is the Rías Baixas climate?
Due to proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the numerous rivers that flow through the region, the climate is humid and maritime.
What is the Rías Baixas soil type?
Granite, alluvial, slate
What are the Rías Baixas grape varieties?
- Albarino
Note - Most Spanish wine labels feature a geographic name, but here the grape variety appears on the bottle.