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Intro Sommelier 2020 > Spain > Flashcards

Spain Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

Spain has the largest acreage of any wine producing country. True or False?

A

True.

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2
Q

Where is Spain located?

A

Eastern majority of Iberian Peninsula.
Portugal (western border).
Atlantic (north/northwest).
Mediterranean (south/east).

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3
Q

What is the climate in Spain?

A

Cool, maritime in the north.

Arid, warm in the center and to the south.

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4
Q

What is the topography of Spain?

A

Very mountainous.

Meseta = large raised plateau (interior).

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5
Q

What are the overview regions of Spain?

A 
Rias-Baixas
Rueda
Toro
Rioja
Riber del Duero
Priorat
Penedes/Cava
La Mancha
Jerez-Xeres-Sherry
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6
Q

What is the best known varietal of Spain?

A

Tempranillo.

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7
Q

What are the levels of

Regional Wine Law in Spain?

A

IGP = Vino de la Tierra (VdIT)
Similar to Vin de Pays
DOP =
VCIG - Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica
DO - Denominacion de Origen
DOCa - Denominacion de Origen Calificada
Vinos de Pagos =
A single estate designation outside of DO system.
Must be made/bottled in specific domaine.

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8
Q

Where is Rias-Baixas?

A

Borders Portugal in the northwest corner of Spain.

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9
Q

What region in is called “Green Spain” and why?

A

Rias-Baixas due to it’s high rainfall and lush vegetation.

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10
Q

What is the climate of Rias-Baixas?

A

Humid and maritime.

Proximity to Atlantic/numerous rivers.

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11
Q

What is the soil like in Rias-Baixas?

A

Granite, alluvial, and slate.

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12
Q

What are the primary grapes/wines of Rias-Baixas?

A

White wines only.
Albariño = 90% of plantings.
(Stainless steel, crisp/dry aromatic whites)

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13
Q

How long has the region of Rioja been producing wines?

A

Over 2,000 years.

It’s Spain’s highest profile wine region.

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14
Q

What is Rioja named after?

A

The Oja River which is a tributary of the Ebro River.

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15
Q

What is the climate in Rioja?

A

Continental.

Mountains create a rain shadow and protect region from the Atlantic weather.

Each sub-region has its own microclimate.

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16
Q

What are the three sub-regions of Rioja?

A 
Rioja Alta (west)
Rioja Alavesa (north)
Rioja Baja (eastern)
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17
Q

What are the main grape varietals for Rioja?

A

White wines = Viura

Red = Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache)

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18
Q

What are the mountain ranges that create rain shadows for Rioja?

A 
The Pyrenees (northeast)
Cantabrian Mountains (northwest)
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19
Q

What is the important vilification process for Rioja red wines?

A

Length and time of oak aging (American/French)

20
Q

What are the DOCa aging quality levels for wines?

A

Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva

21
Q

How long are Crianza wines aged for?

A

2 years including one in oak.

Minimum of 24 months, 6 in oak (reds).

18 months (whites/rose).

22
Q

How long are Reserva wines aged for?

A

3 years including one in oak.
(Best vintages/sites/selection of grapes)

  • 36 months, 12 in oak, 24 in bottle (red)
  • 18 months, 6 in oak (whites/rose).
23
Q

How long are Gran Reserva wines aged for?

A

5 years minimum -
2 years in oak, 3 years in bottle.

(Sourced from best sites/top vintages - rare)

  • 60 months, 18 in oak (reds)
  • 48 months, 6 in oak (whites/rose)
24
Q

What are the regions of the Duero River Valley?

A

Toro DO
Rueda DO
Ribera del Duero DO

25
Q

Where is Ribera del Duero DO located?

A

On the high central plateau, Meseta @ 2,500 feet.

The highest elevated vineyards in Spain.

26
Q

What is the climate of Ribera del Duero?

A

Continental.
Challenging = very hot summers, cold winters.
Extreme diurnal shift in temperatures.

27
Q

What is the main grape varietal of Ribera del Duero?

A

Tempranillo (“Tinto Fino”)

28
Q

How does the climate of Ribera del Duero affect the viticulture there?

A

High elevation and diurnal shifts allow grapes to ripen fully while also preserving natural acidity.

29
Q

What style of wines are made in Ribera del Duero?

A

Reds and rose.

30
Q

What is the climate of Toro DO?

A

Continental.

Extremely hot, dry summers.

31
Q

What is the main grape/style of wine in Toro?

A

Tempranillo (“Tinto de Toro”)

Rich, intense red wines.

32
Q

What is the climate of Rueda DO?

A

Continental.

33
Q

What are the main grape/style of wine in Rueda?

A

Verdejo (Godello), Sauvignon Blanc.

Crisp, dry white wines.

34
Q

Where is Penedes DO/Cava DO located?

A

Within the vicinity of Barcelona.
Known as “Cava Country”
Reaches up to the Pyrenees @ French border.

35
Q

What style of wine is made in Penedes/Cava?

A

Traditional Method sparkling wines.

36
Q

What are the three main grapes that make Cava?

A

Macabeo, Xarel-Lo, and Parallada.

37
Q

What is the climate of Penedes/Cava?

A

Mediterranean.

38
Q

Where is Priorat DOCa located?

A

A few miles from the Mediterranean.

Completely isolated/surrounded by mountains.

39
Q

What is the topography of Priorat?

A

Very rugged, isolated by mountains.

40
Q

What are the soils like in Priorat?

A

Stony, schist.

Best vineyards = llicorella.

41
Q

What is llicorella in terms of soil?

A

A mix of black slate and quartzite.

42
Q

What are the main grape varieties/styles of Priorat?

A

Garnacha (Grenache)
Carinena (Carignan)

Intense, concentrated, dry red wines.

43
Q

Which two regions of Spain have DOCa status?

A

Rioja and Priorat.

44
Q

Which region in Spain is home to the famous vineyard/winemaker, Vega Sicilia?

A

Ribera del Duero.

45
Q

Overview of Spain’s grape varietals:

A

Rias-Baixas = Albariño

Rioja = Viura, Tempranillo, Garnacha

Ribera del Duero = Tempranillo

Toro = Tempranillo ‘Tinto de Toro’

Rueda = Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc.

Cava = Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada

Priorat = Garnacha, Carignan

Intro Sommelier 2020 (27 decks)

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