Spain Flashcards
What country has more land under vine than any other country in the world?
What do they rank in terms of actual wine production?
Spain
3rd- much of the grapes are used for spirit mash.
What Mountain range separates France Spain?
The Pyrenees
What three major mountain chains serve as borders between major geographic areas in Spain?
The Picos de Europa and Pyrenees to the north
The Central Mountain System separates Madrid and La Mancha
And the Penbetic System cuts through Andalucia
In What year did Spain unite under one flag?
1978
What are ‘regions’ called in Spain?
Autonomias
What does DO stand for in Spain?
Denominacion de Origen
What does DOCa stand for in Spain?
Denominacion de Origen Calificada
What does DO Pago stand for in Spain?
Denominacion de Origen Pago
What does VCIG stand for in Spain?
Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica
What does VdT stand for in Spain?
Vino de la Tierra
What are the five quality levels for Spanish wines, entry level to best?
Vino de la Tierra Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica Denominacion de Origen Denominacion de Origen Pago Denominacion de Origen Calificada
What’s the aging minimum for red wines labeled ‘Crianza?’
Two Years
6 Months in Oak
What’s the aging requirements for red wines labeled Joven?
One Year
What is the aging requirement for Crianza white and rosados?
18 Months, 6 months in cask
What’s the aging requirements for Crianza wines in Rioja and Ribero del Duero?
Two years
1 year in cask
What’s the aging requirement for ‘Riserva’ red wines in Spain?
3 years
1 year in oak
What’s the aging requirement for ‘Riserva’ whites and rosados in Spain?
2 years, 6 months in cask
What are the aging requirements of red ‘Gran Riserva’ wines?
5 years
18 months in oak
What are the aging requirements of ‘Gran Riserva’ whites and rosados?
4 years
6 months in cask
What are the aging requirements of ‘Gran Riserva’ wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero?
5 years
2 years in cask
3 years in bottle
What is carignan called in Spain?
Mazuelo
The second most widely grown grape in Spain. It is used for bulk wine and is best grown in DOs Utiel-Requena and DO Valencia.
Bobal
Carinena, aka Mazuelo, has found a home in these two DOs
Monsant DO
Priorat DOCa
This is the 3rd most widely planted red grape in Spain. It is used in Priorat, Rioja, Navarra and northern Spain.
Garnacha- Late ripening and thin skinned
‘Cannonau in Sardinia, Grenache in France’
This red grape is from the Galicia region and is the focal point of Bierzo DO.
The wines are bright, crisp and age worthy. Though to be the parent of Cabernet Franc
Mencia
What grape is often used to make Cava pink and is known as Mourvèdre in France?
Monastrell
What is the most widely planted grape in Spain?
Tempranillo
What are some other names (5) for Tempranillo in Spain?
- Ull de Llebre- Catalunya
- Cencibel - The South
- Tinto Fino, Tinto Pais and Tinto de Toro in Castilla Leon
What is Spain’s most widely planted white varietal?
Airen
2nd only to Tempranillo. Simple, basic bulk wines
What white grape is considered Spain’s best native grape?
Albarino
What is ‘Albarino ‘ called in Portugal?
Alvarinho - the back bone of Vinho Verde
What white grape makes an aromatic, high quality wine from Galicia, DO Valdeorras and Bierzo?
Godello
This is one of the three main grapes used to make Txokali wines
Hondurrabi Zuri Zerratia
What is Hondurrabi Zuri Zerratia called in SW France?
Petit Corbu
What white grape provers the acidic and crisp fruit backbone for Cava?
Macabeo
What is Macabeo called in Rioja?
Viura
What Ubiquitous sweet grape from Greece does well in DO Valencia, DO Zamora and the Canary Islands?
Malvasia
What grape produces some of the world’s best dessert wines in DO Valencia and Andalusia?
Moscatel
What is Moscatel called in France?
Moscatel d’Alexandrie
What’s the main grape of Jerez?
Palomino
What’s another name for Palamino?
Listan
Which of the three cava grapes added the soft, creamy component?
Parellada
What grape produces a thick, sweet molasses like wine from Andalusia and DO Montilla-Moriles?
Pedro Ximenez
is the principal grape in Rueda, and one of Spain’s greatest treasures. Creates full-bodied,
aromatic white wines that are considered one of Europe’s noble white wines.
Verdejo
the third varietal found in Cava, providing the weight,
strength and alcohol.
Xarel-lo
refers to the Northwest corner of the country, spanning from Galicia, in the Northwest corner of
Spain, along the northern Atlantic coast and bordering Portugal all the way and encompassing Basque
country. This part of Spain is unlike any other part of the country and is very atypical-Spanish in both culture and
landscape, having been settled and influenced by the Galicians and the Basques. It is a very lush area by
Spanish standards which combined with the cooler maritime climate allows for
production of some of the best white wines in the country
Green Spain
What are the DOs of Green Spain?
Rías Baixas DO Ribeiro DO Ribeira Sacra DO Valdeorras DO Monterrei DO Getariako Txakolina DO Bizkaiko Txakolina DO Arabako Txakolina DO
What are the 5 sub zones of Rias Baixas?
There are five subzones within the D.O. Val do Salnés O Rosal Condado do Tea Soutomaior Ribeira do Ulla
A wine labeled “Rías Baixas Albariño” contains 100% of which grape?
Albariño
Wines in Rias Baixas
labeled as “Albariño Blanco” will use any combination of Which recommended grapes?
Albariño, Loureira, Treixadura,
Caiña Blanca, as well as authorized Torrontés or Godello
The Pais Vasco contains 3 principal DO zones:
Getariako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, and Arabako Txakolina
most widely produced Grape and accounts for most of the planted acreage The Pais Vasco
Ondarrabi Zuri
The Pais Vasco red grape is called?
Ondarrabi Beltza
What are the
DOs of Castilla y Leon?
Bierzo DO Tierra del León DO Ribera del Duero DO Rueda DO Toro DO Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO Arribes DO Cigales DO Arlanza DO
Spain’s largest autonomía. The region is generally characterized by a
continental climate, subjected to extreme highs and lows. The terrain consists of the northern part of the
Meseta Central – the arid central plateau of Spain – and the mountains that encircle it. The Duero Rivers flows
westward through the center of the region.
Castilla y Leon
one of the rising star appellations of modern Spain (achieving DO status as recently as 1989), though
wine was made here before the Romans. Geographically is sits in the province of León, though it shares
borders and traits with León, Galicia and Asturías. The potential for incredibly fresh and vibrant reds, often from
very old vines, is what has drawn attention, and winemakers, to the region
Bierzo DO
a uniquely low acidity and low pH varietal that needs to be
picked early to maintain freshness. It is a variety that makes intensely-colored reds (often carbonic-macerated)
that can be fashioned oak-free and fresh or crafted and developed further with careful oak ageing.
Mencía
What is Tempranillo called in Ribera del Duero?
Tinto de Pais or Tinto Fino
What winery was established by Don Eloy
Lecanda y Chaves in 1864 who planted Bordeaux varieties and even a little Pinot Noir alongside his Tinto del
País, the local clone of Tempranillo
Bodegas Vega Sicilia
The literal translation of Ribera del Duero is
bank of the Duero
What’s the minimum percentage of Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero?
There must be a minimum of 80% Tempranillo for a wine to use the D.O. on the
label.
What other grapes are authorized in the Ribera del Duero (aside from Tempranillo?)
Other authorized grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Garnacha, as well as the white
grape Albillo Mayor, which is used to brighten up the Rosado wines. Although Albillo
What two wine types are authorized in Ribera del Duero DO?
Red and Rosado (no white)
The overall vineyard area in Ribera del Duero is what?
27,000 acres
What are the main differences in Rioja Tempranillo and Ribera del Duero Tempranillo?
The wines of Ribera del Duero, while clearly related to the great red wines of the Rioja, also made from
Tempranillo, of course, are quite distinct. Many local growers and winemakers believe that what is called
Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero is very different from the same-name grape in other parts of Spain, especially
Rioja. Since the region is warmer than Rioja, also known for Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero produces more powerful Tempranillos with less acidity
What are the aging requirements of the Ribera del Duero DO Crianza?
The ageing requirements of Ribera del Duero differ slightly from normal DO standards
and are similar to those of Rioja:
Crianzas, which must spend at least 12 months in wood and be aged at least two years before release,
What are the aging requirements of Ribera del Duero DO Riserva?
Reservas, which spend at least one year in oak and age three years prior to release,
What are the aging requirements of Ribera del Duero DO Gran Riserva?
and Gran Reservas, which must have two years in wood and three years in bottle, totaling at least five years
before release.
What’s the main grape of Rueda DO?
Verdejo
What was the first DO of Castilla y Leon?
Rueda DO
What percentage of vines in Rueda DO are Verdejo?
85 percent
What percentages of grapes can be used in labels that say “Rueda?”
Minimum 50% Verdejo
50% Viura, Palamino Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
What is the predominate red of Rueda?
Tempranillo
What are the Rueda Espumoso requirements?
Espumoso (sparkling) wines are
produced in both Rosado and white styles, must contain a minimum 50% Verdejo, and be made by traditional
method and aged at least 9 months on the lees. Espumoso wines labeled as Brut or Brut Nature must be made
from 85% Verdejo grapes.
What is Tempranillo called in Toro DO?
Tinta de Toro
Tucked away in western Castilla y León and only a mere 24 miles (40km) from the
Portuguese border, this DO is a historic, overwhelmingly rural region known for its bold red wines.
Toro DO
What grapes are required to be in classified as Toro DO?
Most of Toro’s best-known wines are 100 percent Tinta de Toro, although wines with just 75% of the variety can
still qualify for DO status. Other varieties grown here include Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon (although only
Garnacha is permitted to accompany the Tinta de Toro in DO-certified wines)
What are the 10 DOs of North Central Spain?
North Central Spain DOs of North Central Spain: Rioja DOCa Navarra DO DO Pago Arinzano DO Pago Prado Irache DO Pago Otazu DO Pago Aylés Campo de Borja DO Calatayud DO Cariñena DO Somontano DO
What are the three autonomias of North Central Spain?
three autonomías of Navarra, La Rioja, and Aragon
Describe geographically what makes the regions of North Central Spain so special for grape growing
Sheltered by the
Pyrenees Mountains to the northeast which divide France and Spain, and the Cantabrian Mountains to the
northwest, the region’s highlands are in a rain shadow and summer temperatures increase further inland. The
Ebro River flows from the western Cantabrian Mountains on a southeasterly course toward the Mediterranean
What is Rioja named for?
named after the small river Oja
What’s the number one Spanish region in terms of production?
Rioja out-produces
every other region in Spain, including more than twice the production of La Mancha despite less than a third of
La Mancha’s vineyards. Production in La Rioja has doubled in the past twenty years, averaging over 250 million
litres of wine per vintag
What are the red grapes allowed to be used in Rioja DO?
Red varieties Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo (Carignan), Graciano, and Maturana Tinta must
comprise a minimum 85% of the red Rioja blend, or 95% if de-stemmed.
What are the authorized white grapes of the Rioja DO?
White wines are made from the principal varieties of Viura (Macabéo), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,
and Verdejo. Secondary grapes Malvasia Riojano, Garnacha Blanca, Tempranillo Blanca, Maturana
Blanca, and Turruntés may also be used but cannot be more than a combined 49% of the blend.
Authorized grapes must make up 100% of the wine.
What percentage of grapes must be in Rosado wines of Rioja DO?
Rosado wines require a minimum of 25% authorized red grapes
What are the Rioja aging rules for Crianza, Riserva and Gran Riserva?
Crianza (a minimum
one year in oak, plus a year in bottle,
Reserva (minimum one year in oak and three years age overall)
and
Gran Reserva (minimum two years in oak and five years age overall)
What are the rules for labeling a single vineyard in Rioja?
Single vineyard, when used on a label, must be approved by the governing board of Rioja, produced by a
winery with at least a 10-year history of working with the vineyard and using vines of at least 35 years of age.
The grapes must be manually-harvested and declared as single vineyard before harvest occurs.
What are the three principal regions of La Rioja?
The three principal regions of La Rioja are Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental with each area producing
its own unique expression of Rioja wine.
What are the main attributes of the three regions of Rioja?
Many producers produce a blend of all three regions to create their style, combining the freshness of Alavesa, the extract and warmth of Oriental, and the structure and acidity of Rioja Alta.
Describe the climate of Rioja Alta
Located on the western edge of the region and more Atlantic in climate, Rioja Alta is at higher
elevations than the other areas.
What are the soils of Rioja Alta? How are the wines described?
The Rioja Alta is known more for its “old world” style of wine, produced
from chalk and clay soils, and has long been known for the reputation of its high quality, producing
classic, age-worthy Tempranillo.
Where is Rioja Alavesa located?
The smallest of the three areas, Rioja Alavesa is also the northernmost zone and is located completely in
Basque country.
What mountain range protects Rioja Alavesa?
Despite sharing a similar climate as the Alta region, the Rioja Alavesa, protected by
the Sierra Cantabria,
What types of wines are produced from Rioja Alavesa?
generally produces wines with a fuller body and higher acidity, joven wines that
are meant for early consumption. Vineyards in the area have a low vine density with large spacing
between rows. This is due to the relatively poor conditions of the soil with the vines needing more
distance from each other and less competition for the nutrients in the surrounding soil.
What is the Climate of Rioja Oriental?
With a more continental climate than the Alta and Alavesa, the Rioja Oriental (formerly Baja) is strongly
influenced by a Mediterranean climate which makes this area the warmest and driest of the Rioja.
Describe the wines of Rioja Oriental
A
number of the vineyards are actually located in nearby Navarra and the wine produced from those
grapes belongs to the Rioja appellation. Unlike the typically pale color Rioja wine, Baja wines are very
deeply colored and can be highly alcoholic with some wines at 18% alcohol by volume, as Garnacha is
the key variety of the region. The wines typically do not have much acidity or aroma and are generally
used as blending components with wines from other parts of the Rioja.
What river is important to Rioja and why?
the great River Ebro that almost bisects Spain.
The Ebro runs right through the Rioja region, creating a series of microclimates as it provides much needed
water for the vines.
What mountain ranges protect Rioja?
the Cantabria and Demanda mountain ranges,
Describe the overall climate of Rioja
The winters are
cold, with snowfall in January, while the summers are gloriously warm but seldom intensely hot. Rainfall is
modest
Where is the Navarra DO located?
Navarra DO borders Rioja along its north and east,
What are the major red varietals of Navarra DO?
Garnacha and Tempranillo are the major red
varietals of Navarra
What is the major white varietal of Navarra DO/
Viura while Viura is the most prominent white, however white grapes account for less than 10% of
Navarra’s plantings.
What wines initially gained fame for Navarra DO?
Navarra initially gained fame for its Rosado wines
Rosados account for less than 25% of Navarra’s current production
What other grapes are authorized for Navarra do?
Classic French grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah are
also authorized and growing in vineyard area
Where is the Campo de Borja DO located and what grapes are used?
The Campo de Borja DO borders the two warm-climate areas of Navarra’s Ribera Baja and Rioja’s Baja.
Garnacha, which appreciates the warmth, is the main varietal grown here, accounting for 2/3 of the planted
vineyards. Tempranillo is also grown here, and Viura for white wines.
What grape is Calatayud known for?
is dominated by Garnacha vineyards
What grapes grow in Cariñena DO
Garnacha vineyards,
Cariñena DO, one of Spain’s first recognized wine
zones (since 1932) and birthplace to Carignan/Mazuelo
What are the 13 DOs of Catalonia (Catalunya)?
Priorat DOCa Montsant DO Tarragona DO Terra Alta DO Conca de Barberá DO Costers del Segre DO Penedès DO Alella DO Empordà DO Pla de Bages DO Catalunya DO Binissalem Mallorca DO (Balearic Islands) Pla i Llevant (Balearic Islands)
Where is Catalonia located?
Catalonia lies directly across the Pyrenees from Roussillon in France, a region with which it has more in common
than most of Spain. At one time they were part of the same rule until the king of Spain gave Roussillon to
France in the 1600’s.
What are the two main red grapes of Priorat?
some of the country’s oldest Garnacha and Cariñena vines
What are the primary international varietals of Priorat?
primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah
When did Priorat earn DOCa status?
Awarded DOCa status (DOQ in Catalan)
after the 2002 vintage, the second region to earn DOCa status after Rioja
What are the two primary soil types of Priorat?
Schist and Licorella
What comprises the Licorella soils?
Llicorella soils, a mix of black slate and quartzite, are the basis of the best
vineyards, requiring roots to dig deep for water.
Describe the wines of Priorat
power and ripeness balanced by an uplifting
freshness.
Where is the Monsant DO located?
This ring-shaped region
almost completely surrounds the Priorat DOCa,
What red varietals are featured at Monsant?
featuring the same style and varietals of Garnacha and
Cariñena, though at significantly better value than Priorat wines
Where is the Penedes DO located?
Penedés rises from the Mediterranean coast around Barcelona up to vineyards that are the highest elevated
vineyards in Europe
What are the three distinct altitude zones of the Penedes?
three distinct altitude zones: Baix-Penedés Medio-Penedés, and Alt-Penedés
What are the authorized white grapes of Penedes?
Authorized white grapes are Parellada, Xarel-lo, Macabéo and Chardonnay
What are the authorized red grapes of Penedes?
Red grapes are
the black Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), Garnacha, and Monastrell.
This DO is the world’s largest producer of sparkling wine.
Cava DO
What is Penedes’ most famous DO?
Cava DO
This town, a sleepy village in the Alt-Penedés, is the
birthblace of Cava having been introduced in 1872
San Sadurni d’Anoia
Who brought Sparkling wine to the Penedes?
1872 by José Raventós of Cordoníu
What are two interested aspects to the Cava DO?
does not need to write Denominación de Origen on the label and is
the only DO that is measured by style as opposed to region.
What method of production is used in the Cava DO?
it mirrors
Champagne in method of production (método tradicional having been the method of production since its
inception as “Champaña”)
What other two modern innovations has Cava brought to the wine world?
Cava has also pioneered some of the commonly used modern innovations, such
as the use of the gyropalette as well as the restrained levels of dosage now used in Champagne
What are the grapes allowed to be used in the Cava DO?
Parellada, Xarel-lo, Macabeu, Chardonnay,
Pinot Noir, Garnacha Tinta, Monastrell, Trepat, and Malvasia (Subirat)
What are the three principle grapes of Cava and what does each contribute to the overall flavor?
there are three principal grapes that
combine to forge Cava: Xarel-lo is what gives the Cava backbone, Macabéo (Viura) gives it the flesh, and
Parellada that gives it the elegance.
What’s the minimum lees aging requirement for Cava DO?
Cava DO wines, though produced in the same method as Champagne,
age for less time on the lees: Cava must spend at least 9 months in barrique, resting on its lees, and may not be
sold for a year. Cava, by definition, is Crianza, though it is rarely labeled as such.
How long must a Riserva Cava rest on its Lees?
at least 15 months on lees to be reserva
How many months must a cava rest on its lees to be labeled Gran Riserva?
and at least 30 months to be labeled gran reserva
Southern Spain
What are the 9
DOs of the Levante (Murcia and Valencia)?
Valencia DO Utiel-Requena DO Alicante DO Jumilla DO Yecla DO Bullas DO DO Pago Los Balagueses DO Pago El Terrerazo DO Pago Chozas Carrascal
What are the two main red grapes of the Levante?
Monastrell and
Bobal
What is Monastrel also know as?
Mourvèdre
known for its sandy soils and historically generic production of bulk wine, took advantage of the
phylloxera struggles of the 1980s to re-invent itself with more serious production of Monastrell (Mourvèdre)- Some of Spain’s best value wines
Jumilla DO
What are the 16 DOs of Castilla-La Mancha
La Mancha DO Méntrida DO Manchuela DO Almansa DO Ribera del Júcar DO Valdepeñas DO Uclés DO Mondéjar DO DO Pago Dominio de Valdepusa DO Pago Finca Elez DO Pago Guijoso DO Pago Dehesa del Carrizal DO Pago Campo de la Guardia DO Pago Florentino DO Pago Casa del Blanco DO Pago Calzadilla
Where is La Mancha DO located?
To the west of the coastal Levant appellations, within the Castilla-La Mancha autonomía, is Europe’s largest
demarcated wine region,
What are the two principle grapes of LA Mancha DO?
the principal grapes of the region (which added to the delusions and naps of
Don Quixote) are Cencibel (Tempranillo) and Airén,
the “valley of rocks,” earned recognition as early as 1932, over 40 years before La Mancha,
despite being completely surrounded by the La Mancha DO. Its unique chalky soils, which help retain water,
lend unique attributes to the Airén and Cencibel that are grown here. Wines of impressive quality can be
grown in the western part of the region known as Los Llanos as well as the northern section of Las Aberturas.
Valdepeñas DO
6 DOs of Andalucía:
Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO Málaga DO Sierras de Málaga DO Montilla-Moriles DO Condado du Heulva DO
