Spain Flashcards
Spain has the largest acreage of any wine producing country. True or False?
True.
Where is Spain located?
Eastern majority of Iberian Peninsula.
Portugal (western border).
Atlantic (north/northwest).
Mediterranean (south/east).
What is the climate in Spain?
Cool, maritime in the north.
Arid, warm in the center and to the south.
What is the topography of Spain?
Very mountainous.
Meseta = large raised plateau (interior).
What are the overview regions of Spain?
Rias-Baixas Rueda Toro Rioja Riber del Duero Priorat Penedes/Cava La Mancha Jerez-Xeres-Sherry
What is the best known varietal of Spain?
Tempranillo.
What are the levels of
Regional Wine Law in Spain?
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.
Where is Rias-Baixas?
Borders Portugal in the northwest corner of Spain.
What region in is called “Green Spain” and why?
Rias-Baixas due to it’s high rainfall and lush vegetation.
What is the climate of Rias-Baixas?
Humid and maritime.
Proximity to Atlantic/numerous rivers.
What is the soil like in Rias-Baixas?
Granite, alluvial, and slate.
What are the primary grapes/wines of Rias-Baixas?
White wines only.
Albariño = 90% of plantings.
(Stainless steel, crisp/dry aromatic whites)
How long has the region of Rioja been producing wines?
Over 2,000 years.
It’s Spain’s highest profile wine region.
What is Rioja named after?
The Oja River which is a tributary of the Ebro River.
What is the climate in Rioja?
Continental.
Mountains create a rain shadow and protect region from the Atlantic weather.
Each sub-region has its own microclimate.
What are the three sub-regions of Rioja?
Rioja Alta (west) Rioja Alavesa (north) Rioja Baja (eastern)
What are the main grape varietals for Rioja?
White wines = Viura
Red = Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache)
What are the mountain ranges that create rain shadows for Rioja?
The Pyrenees (northeast) Cantabrian Mountains (northwest)
What is the important vilification process for Rioja red wines?
Length and time of oak aging (American/French)
What are the DOCa aging quality levels for wines?
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva
How long are Crianza wines aged for?
2 years including one in oak.
Minimum of 24 months, 6 in oak (reds).
18 months (whites/rose).
How long are Reserva wines aged for?
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).
How long are Gran Reserva wines aged for?
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)
What are the regions of the Duero River Valley?
Toro DO
Rueda DO
Ribera del Duero DO
