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.
Describe the wine style in Rías Baixas.
Crisp, dry aromatic whites
Where is Rioja located?
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.
What is the Rioja climate?
Continental
Name the 3 sub-regions of Rioja.
Grape varieties in Rioja?
WHITE
- Viura
RED
- Tempranillo
- Garnacha
What type of oak is used in Rioja?
Traditionally, American oak was used but today producers use French oak as well.
Rioja DOCa aging quality levels for red wines?
- Crianza - Requires a total two years of aging before release
- Reserva - Requires wines be aged for three years, including one year in oak.
- Gran Reserva Requires that wines age for at least two years in oak and three years in the, bottle. These are generally sourced from the best sites and made only in top vintages.
What is the Ribera del Duero DO climate?
- Continental (very hot summers + cold winters)
- Diurnal Shifts
What is the Ribera del Duero topogaphy?
On the high central plateau (Meseta) at 2,500 feet, these are the highest elevation vineyards in Spain.
What are the Ribera del Duero grape varieties?
- Tempranillo (known locally as “Tinto Fino”)
Aside from red wine, Ribera del Duero also produces a small amount of __________?
Rosé
What is the Toro climate?
Continental, with extremely hot, dry summers.
What are the Toro grape varieties?
- Tempranillo
What style of wine is Toro known for?
Rich, intense red wines
What is the Rueda climate?
Continental
What are the Rueda grape varieties?
- Verdejo
- Sauvignon Blanc
Where is Penedes DO / Cava DO located and what is it known for?
Located in the vicinity of Barcelona, this area is most widely known as Cava country, producing an immense amount of traditional method sparkling wine.
What is the Penedes DO / Cava DO climate?
Mediterranean
What are the Penedes DO / Cava DO grape varieties?
- Macabeo
- Paralleda
- Xarel-lo
What is the Penedes DO / Cava DO vinification?
Sparkling wines in the traditional method
Where is Priorat DOCa located?
A very rugged area just a few miles from the Mediterranean Sea but completely isolated and surrounded by mountains.
What is the Priorat DOCa climate?
Hot and dry
What is the Priorat DOCa soil types?
Stony schist soils, with the best vineyards situated on llicorella, a mix of black slate and quartzite.
What are the Priorat DOCa grape varieties?
- Garnacha (Grenache)
- Carinena (Carignan)
What characterizes Priorate DOCa viticulture?
- Low yields due to climate.
- Vines must dig deep for water due to soil.
What is the wine style in Priorat DOCa?
Intense, concentrated, dry red wines
