Spain Flashcards
How long does a Rioja Crianza need to be aged?
2 years in total
1 year in oak
How long does a Crianza need to be aged in Spain generally? (Not in Rioja or Ribera de Duero)
2 years total, 6 months in oak
For Crianza’s from Rioja and Ribera del Duero Crianza’s need 2 years in total and a minimum of 1 year in oak
How much ageing has a Reserva wine generally in Spain?
3 years and one year in oak
In Rioja it is 3 years, 1 year in oak and a min of 6 months in bottle
In Ribera, it is 3 years, and 1 year in oak same as the rest of Spain
How much ageing had Gran Reserva wine in Spain?
5 years total minimum aging
18 months min in barrel
In Rioja, it is 5 years minimum ageing, 2 years in barrel and two years in bottle
In Ribera, it is 5 years minimum aging, 2 years in barrel and 3 years in bottle
Why will a Gran Reserva from Ribera del Duero have had more oak influence than a general Gran Reserva from Spain?
Because a Gran Reserva from Ribera del Duero will have had a minimum of 2 years in barrel (rather than 18 months for general Spanish wine) and a minimum of 3 years in bottle
What is the difference between a Reserva wine from Rioja compared to the rest of Spain?
Rioja Reserva’s must spend 6 months minimum bottle age as well as a year minimum in oak and 3 years total aging.
Where did French winemakers escaping Phylloxera settling when they crossed the Pyrenees in late 19th Century?
Rioja, Navarra and Catalonia
When did Phylloxera arrive in La Rioja, Spain?
1901 by which time the remedy of grafting European vines into American rootstocks had already been discovered
Why did the Spanish wine industry suffer in the 20th Century?
The marked civil and political upheaval.
The Franco Dictatorship only came to an end in 1975 and and Spain entered the EU (then the EEC) in 1986
Why is 1986 a key date in Spanish wine history?
It is the year Spain entered the EU (then the EEC)
How much land under vine does Spain have?
967,000ha more than any other country
It is the third largest wine producing country after Italy and France and the first wine exporting county by volume
Where is Green Spain, España Verde?
North West & North
Rías Baixas where the climate is influenced by the Atlantic
What shelters Rioja and Ribera del Duero from the Atlantic?
Cordillera Cantábrica
What are Spain’s five main rivers?
Muño Duero Tajo (Tagus) Guadalquivir Ebro
How many varieties are cultivated in Spain?
Over 600, bit only a score are commercially important
What is the most widely planted grape variety in Spain?
The hardy and drought resistant Airén
Important for manufacture of Brandy
What is Spain’s most noble variety?
Tempranillo
Known as Cencibel, Tinto Fino, Ull de Llebre (Eye of the Hare)
Widely planted in N Spain.
Early ripening variety
Prefers chalky soil and moderate climate.
Wine produced is strawberry scented and high in acidity. Blends and ages well
What are some key Spanish grape varieties?
Airén - drought resistant - brandy
Tempranillo - Northern Spain, Noble, age worthy wines, strawberry scented, high in acidity
Garnacha (Grenache) - one of the most planted black grape, high yields, high alcohol, matures early, used for rosados
Monastrell (Mourvèdre) - Darl, powerful spicy wines
Cariñena /Mazuelo (Carignan) - High in acidity, tannin and colour. Blends well with Tempranillo
Mencía - In Bierzo, dark cherry, spice and earth or soft and fruity
Albariño - grown on Atlantic coast in Galicia - crisp, aromatic wines
Verdejo - mainly in Rueda, oxidises easily but when handled carefully can produce powerful aromatic whites
Graciano - used in Rioja blends, low yielding it has powerful aromas, full body and tannins and ages well
Malvasia - full bodied whites. Used for traditional oak aged Rioja. In a blend with Viura adding richness
Viura (Rioja)/ Macabeo (Catalunya) - Macabeu from southern France. Good fruit and acidity when grown with low yields. Blended in Rioja
What is the density of plantings and training method in much of Spain?
Much of Spain is arid and infertile with low density plantings of old bush trained vines
Yields are super small, can be ~20hl/ha compared to day 100hl/ha in Germany
When was irrigation legalised in Spain?
1996
Has increased yields (which were as low as 20 hl/ha but potentially decreased quality
What has led to fresher, fruitier styles of wine in Spain?
Temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks
How are Spanish wines traditionally aged?
Long barrel ageing typically in American Oak
What was the first Denominación de Origen (DO) in Spain?
Rioja in 1930s
What are the only two Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) in Spain?
Rioja and Priorat
What is the Spanish equivalent to France’s IGP?
Vino de la Tierra (VT)
What is Spain’s equivalent to Vin de France?
Vino de Mesa (VdM)
What are the hierarchy of wine classifications in Spain?
Vino de Mesa (VdM) - table wine, no geographical name on the label
Vino de la Tierra (VT) - Equivalent to Vin de Pays
Vino de Calidad Con Indicación Geográfica (VC) a stepping stone towards DO status, must wait 5 years for consideration for promotion
Denominación de Origen (DO) - Equivalent yo AOC - must satisfy a minimum quality. Grape varities, viticultural method, location and style specified. Must wait 10 years for consideration for DOCa
Vino de Pago (VP) relatively new category. Outstanding single estates that fall outside or inside DO areas, using only their own grapes to make wine
Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOC, DOCa and DOQ). Very high quality regions. Only two areas with this distinction, Rioja and Priorat. DOCa wines are controlled by a Consejo Regulador that test and guarantee quality
What is a DO Pago?
A denominación de Origen Pago. Awarded to outstanding single estates that fall outside or inside DO areas, using only their own grapes to make wine
What are the four levels of ageing for Spanish wines?
Vino Joven - May or May not have spent time in oak cask. Bottled in year following release. In Rioja, Joven is now being called Generico or Sin Crianza
Crianza
Aged for at least two years of which six months is in oak. White and rose Crianza aged for at least one year, at least since months in cask
Reserva
Has been aged for at least three years of which one year is in oak. White and rose Reserva has been aged for at least two years of which six months in cask
Gran Reserva
Has been aged for at least 5 years of which 18 months in cask and 36 months in bottle.
White and rose at least four years and at least six months in cask
For Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Navarra reds, Crianza has to spend at last 12 months instead of 6 in cask. And Gran Reserva at least 24 months instead of 18
What are the ageing classifications in Spanish wine which don’t call for oak?
Noble - one year
Añejo - 2 years
Viejo - three years in a distinctly oxidative style
This scale recognised that some wines are not improved and may even be harmed by lengthy barrel ageing
Why does Spain have the highest area under vine but is not the largest producer of wine?
Due to predominantly low yielding, low density plantings of bush trained vines.
New vineyards are planted with wire trained vines
Spain has 967,000 ha of vines and is the third largest wine producing country after Italy and France
How did Rioja get it’s name?
Named after the Rio Oja, a tributary of the Ebro
It extends some 100km along the Ebro as it flows SE to the Mediterranean Sea
What enclosed the Rioja region?
Mountains
The Cordillera Cantábrica to the North and West protects from the Atlantic
The South has the Sierra de la Demanda
What is the climate in Rioja?
More continental than Atlantic as the Cordillera Cantábrica protects from Atlantic influence
There is also a Mediterranean influence in Rioja Oriéntale which is warmer and drier than Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa
How much of Rioja is red?
Approx 90%
Traditionally a blend of Tempranillo (typically 60%), Grenache (20%), Graciano and Carignan (Mazuelo).
What do each of the traditional grapes in a Rioja blend contribute?
Garnacha - body and alcohol
Graciano - aroma
Carignan - colour, tannin and acidity
Tempranillo - strawberry scented, high in acidity and ages well
Where is Rioja Alavesa?
West of Logroño on the River Ebro.
What is the smallest of the three Rioja Subregions?
Rioja Alavesa
What are the growing conditions in Rioja Alavesa?
Cool maritime influence from the Atlantic, relatively high rainfall
What are the soils in Rioja Alavesa?
Chalk & limestone rich soils produce lighter bodied wines with finesse and somewhat higher acidity given cooler conditions
What are the soils in Rioja Alta?
Clay soils or red soils with high iron content
Viura suited to clay
Tempranillo to iron rich soils
Malvasia grown on alluvial soils
Where is Rioja Alta?
Stretches from Logroño in the East to Haro in the West
Owing in part to higher altitudes growing season is shorter
Where is Rioja Baja/Oriental?
To the East of Rioja extending north across the Ebro and into Navarra
What is the climate in Rioja Baja/Oriental?
Continental climate with hot summers and severe winters
Much warmer and drier than Rioja Alta
What is the soil in Rioja Baja/Oriental?
Heavy clay soils
Which grape dominates in Rioja Baja/Oriental?
Garnacha - largest producer of Vino Joven wines
What is the style of Rioja?
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Often pale in colour, garnet with a bronzing rim
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Dusty, notes of cooked strawberries raspberries, tobacco leaf, game, nuts, leather, spices, vanilla and coconut from American oak
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Medium in body Medium to low acidity Medium alcohol Ripe and silky tannins Spicy or savoury finish
How does international style Rioja compare to traditional Rioja?
International Rioja generally spends less time in oak and is denser in colour and fruit with pronounced fruit character strawberries, plum and blackberry
How does Rioja generally compare to Ribera del Duero?
Rioja is generally lighter in colour and body, with lower acidity, alcohol and tannins and red rather than black fruit
What terms can be used to describe a single vineyard Rioja from 2017?
Viñedo Singular
Where is Navarra DO?
North of Rioja in North East Spain
What are the five sub zones in Navarra?
Valdizarbe Tierra Estella Ribera Alta Baja Montaña Ribera Baja
What is the climate in Navarra?
Continental
What accounts for 95% of plantings in Navarra?
Black grape varieties
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cab Sav, Merlot, Graciano, Carignan (Mazuelo)
Where is cooler and wetter than the rest of Spain?
Galicia in the NW
How many DOs are there in Galicia?
5
Rías Baixas
Ribeira Sacra (Sacred Shore)
Valdeorras
Monterrei
Douro basin
What is Galicia known for?
It’s white wines typically varietal Albariño but also blends and other varietal wines such as Godello (Verdelho a speciality of Valdeorras), Loureiro, Torrontés, and Triexadura
Red wines are also made from Mencía the speciality of Ribeira Sacra
Which Spanish wine can bear a striking resemblance to Vinho Verde from Monção in Portugal?
Albariño from Rías Baixas
What is the classic style of Albariño?
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Pale to medium in colour, hints of gold and green
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Aromatic
Lime, apple, white peach, almonds, honeysuckle and jasmine
👄 Medium body High citrusy acidity Medium alcohol Dry, pithy mineral finish
How would you arrive at Albariño by exclusion?
Compared to Riesling it is fuller in body and lacks the tartness and petrol or fusel oil notes
Compared to Pinot Gris it is drier and higher in acidity
Compared to Viognier it is lighter in body and much higher in acidity
Compared to Grüner Veltliner it is less acidic and astute and lacks the white pepper note
What are the most important DOs in Castilla y León?
Ribera del Duero
Toro
Rueda
Bierzo
Which Castilla y León DO is along the Miño River?
Bierzo
What grape does Bierzo specialise in?
Mencía
What is the climate in Castilla y León?
Continental - hot summers but much cooler nights
The Cordillera Cantábrica blocks off the Atlantic
What is the altitude of much of Ribera del Duero?
700-900m
What is the Tempranillo of Ribera del Duero like compared to that if Rioja?
Tino Fino the Tempranillo of Ribera del Duero has thicker, darker skins than that of Rioja and is higher in acidity.
Compared to most Rioja the wines are big and brooding, more full bodied, concentrated, alcoholic and tannic with higher acidity and black rather than red fruit
How much Tempranillo must be included in a Ribera del Duero?
At least 75%
Balance can be made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec
Up to 5% of Albillo a white variety can be used to soften the blend
Name a top producer in Ribera del Duero?
Vega Sicilia
Dominio de Pingus
Tinto Pesquera
Emilio de Moro
What climatic concern is there in Ribera del Duero?
Frosts present a serious threat due to altitude (700-900m) and continental climate
Where is Toro wine region?
Castilla y León in Spain
In Zamora
Downstream from Ribera del Duero
West of Rueda
Where did Toro export lots of wine too in late 19th Century?
Phylloxera ravaged France
What protected Toro from Phylloxera?
Sandy and pebbly limestone soils protected vines from the louse.
Many Spanish regions ended up being replanted with Toro vines
What is the climate in Toro?
Continental
What is Toro known for?
It’s reds which consist of at least 75% Tempranillo (Tinta de Toro) with any balance made up by Grenache
What is the style of Toro vs Ribera del Duero?
Similar in style but more exuberant and often more rustic with a signature spicy note
Who invested in Rueda in 1970s?
Rioja Winery Marqués de Riscal and acquired a reputation for fine whites based on Verdejo
Where is Rueda?
In Castilla y León
Immediately East of Toro
What is the climate in Rueda?
Continental hot summers, cool winters
What is the soil in Rueda?
Stony soil rich in line and iron
What helps preserve freshness in which wines from Rueda?
Modern practices such as temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks
Mechanical harvesting at night
Inert gas blankets to protect grapes from oxidisation
What is Rueda known for?
Fine whites made from Verdejo
What is the signature style of Rueda?
Aromatic, crisp and elegant
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Gooseberry, peach, melon, herbs
Fresh citrus acidity
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Soft and full
Dry
What devastated the historic mining and winemaking region of Bierzo?
Phylloxera
Why is Bierzo said to combine the best features of Galicia and Ribera del Duero?
It enjoys a climate that is cooler and wetter than those of Ribera del Duero, Toro or Rueda
What is the soil in Bierzo Bajo?
Mineral rich soil of slate and granite
Mountainous terraced vineyards
What are the two styles of Mencía in Bierzo?
Either fruity with soft, supple tannins
Or more concentrated and powerful with notes of dark cherry, spice and earth and pronounced minerality
Why are the red wines of Bierzo lighter and more refreshing than those from other parts of Castilla y León?
They are made from Mencía
Whereas Tempranillo dominates in Ribera del Duero & Toro
How many DOs does Cataluña have?
12
Including Cataluña DO which covers the entire region
The most important are Priorat, Montsant and Penedès
Where is Priorat?
A remote, mountainous region in central southern Tarragona
What does Scala Dei translate as?
Ladder of God in Latin
Where are vines planted in Priorat?
On terraced slips ranging from 100-700m
What is the climate in Priorat?
Extreme continental
What is the soil in Priorat?
Priorat has unique licorella soils of red and black slates and mica (quartzite) that reflects the sun’s light while retaining its warmth
What grape dominates in Priorat?
Garnacha
Other black varieties include Carignan
Cab Sav
Merlot
Syrah
What is the style of Priorat wines?
Generally a Grenache dominated blend released after 18 months in 300L french oak casks and a further few months in bottle
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Deep
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Intense aroma of ripe but savoury black and red fruit, minerals, earth and spice, liquorice, chocolate, and sometimes vanilla from new French Oak
👄 Full bodied High alcohol Crisp acidity Big and chewy tannins Long dry and structured finish
How does Priorat compare to Ribera del Duero?
Ribera is Tempranillo dominated, Priorat is Grenache dominated
Priorat often comes across as more tannic, more acidic and more mineral
What makes for powerful, long lived wines that reward cellar ageing in Priorat?
The combination of old vines and tiny yields make for concentrated, powerful and long lived wines
Where is Montsant?
An area in Cataluna that entirely surrounds Priorat in Central southern Tarragona
What does La Mancha mean?
Patched earth in Arabic
As in Castilla-La Mancha south central Spain
Where is responsible for more than half of Spain’s crop of grapes?
Castilla-La Mancha
Where is Europe’s biggest delimited wine area?
La Mancha DO
What is the climate in Castilla-La Mancha?
Extreme continental
Summer day time temperatures can reach over 45•
Annual rainfall a mere 350mm
How are vines trained in Castilla-La Mancha?
Widely spaced
trained in bush
Generally without irrigation, yields are tiny
Principle grapes Airén & Tempranillo
Where is Valdepeñas?
At the southern end of La Mancha DO
What are sometimes referred to as a poor man’s Rioja?
Tempranillo wines of Valdepeñas on account of excellent value
What is aloque or clarete?
A distinct style of light red or rosé wine made in Valdepeñas
What makes up half of plantings in Valdepeñas?
The drought resistant Airén
What does Valdepeñas mean?
Valley of Rocks
Paragraph style answer to Consejo Regulador with reference to Spain & Portugal?
- Every Spanish DO and DOCa has a Consejo Regulador (Regulatory council)
- This is a council that represents the interests of growers, producers and negociants
- It decides the DO production rules (varieties, extraction levels, training systems, vine density)
- It also promotes the region on a local and international level
- Their rules on ageing have etc must be at least as strict as national laws but can be more so eg Rioja
- NB in Rioja many of these roles have been taking over by Orginacion Interprofessional del Vino de Rioja of which their CRDOCa is a subdivision
Paragraph style answer to what is Tempranillo in reference to Spain & Portugal?
List of say
- Mention its importance in Rioja and Ribera del Duero but also grown in other DOs (Valdepeñas, Cigales, Navarra, Toro, Catalina…)
- Blends well, sometimes blended with Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano and increasing with Cabernet or Merlot and Maturara Tinta from 2007
- Also grown in Portugal (In the Duoro known as Tina Roriz and elsewhere as Aragonez)
- Give tasting notes and mention producers. Pale in colour, garnet with rusty rim. Nose can be dusty, cooked strawberries and raspberries, tobacco, game, nuts, leather and spice and vanilla and coconut from American oak traditionally favoured over French. Medium body, medium to low acidity. Medium alcohol and ripe and silky tannins. Modern style spends less time in oak and fender in fruit with more plum and blackberry.
Producers Marques de Riscal, Viña Pomal, Muga
- Early ripening
- Clone of Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero is Tinto Fino thicker skin, darker than Rioja higher in acidity, more full bodied, concentrated and black rather than red fruit
Paragraph style answer re Rosé wines in Portugal and Spain
Key wines to mention include Navarra and Rioja Rosados from Garnacha or Tempranillo
And Mateus /Lancers from Portugal
Include a tasting note for both, market position (low mid market, UK and US and local
And mention some producers for Spanish Rosados
Rosé Rioja mainly Garnacha most unaged 15% of production
Navarra important region for Rioja, light fresh style
Utiel-Requena - produces meaty Rosados from Grenache and Bobal
Paragraph style answer on Albariño/Alvarinho
White grape variety
Speciality of Rias Baixas, Galicia north west Spain - cool maritime climate wet Atlantic influence
Fresh, fruity unoaked style
Pale to medium in colour
Hints of gold and green
Aromatic
Notes of lime, apple, white peach, almonds
Honeysuckle and jasmine
Medium body, high citrusy acidity dry pithy finish
Use of Alvarinho in Portugual in Vinho Verdes from Monção only where alcohol is permitted to be higher than for other grapes usually limited to 11.5%
Vinhos Regional Minho VR can use Alvarinho in all Vinho Verde areas
Great with seafood
Paragraph style question Vinhos Regionals
Quality category in Portugal = Table wine with Geographic indication so Vins de Pays
Most important ones are Alentejano, Terras do Sado, Ribatejano, Bieras, Tras-os-Montes
Allow non traditional styles and labelling by variety
International grapes
Experimental winemaking
Increasing single estates using this category
VR Minho same areas as Vinho Verde DOC but permits Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Merlín and use of Alvarinho throughout the region not just in Monção
VR Alentejano - covers the whole Alentejo region. Same grape varieties as Alentejo as well as international varieties like Cab Sav, Merlot and Chardonnay
Paragraph style answers to Noble with relation to Spain and Portugal
- Noble is a category for ageing Spanish wines
- Introduced in 2003 wine laws along with Viejo and Añejo
- Applies to VdIT as well as DO and DOC wines
- Requirements are 12 months in cask (600L Max) or in bottle for both red and whites
No minimum period of cask ageing just total winery ageing before release
CRDOs can insist on longer periods
Created as some wines don’t benefit indeed decrease in quality with oak contact
