Spain

Question 1

How many acres are under vine?

Answer 1

2.5 million acres, 1.01 million ha. Largest grape acreage in the world.

Question 2

Most of the interior is raised on what

Answer 2

Meseta, a plateau

Question 3

Spain’s climate

Answer 3

Mostly continental, hot summers and cold winters. even rainfall. The only real exceptions are the exposed northwest corner, which is real maritime, and the southwest and mediterranean coastal areas have a classic mediterranean climate. Summers are quite dry everywhere.

Question 4

Why is Spain continental

Answer 4

Network of mountains is mostly responsible, especially the Pyrenees mountains and the Cordillera Cantabrica along the north coast, which shields the country from most snowstorms and colder influences.

Question 5

Most grown white/red grape.

Answer 5

Airen, 25% of plantings in spain- mostly used for brandy and commercial bulk wine. Tempranillo, 20% of plantings in spain, known for moderate acidity and aromas of spice, chalk, strawberries, and tobacco, usually with oak aging as well. `

Question 6

Leading red grapes of spain

Answer 6

Tempranillo, Bobal, Garnacha Tinta, Monastrell, Mourvedre, Mazuelo, Mencia, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet, Merlot.

Question 7

Leading white grapes in spain

Answer 7

Airen, Cayetana Blanca, Albarino, Macabeo, Palomino, Verdejo, Parellada, Xarel-lo, Moscate, Pedro Ximenez, Garnacha Blanca.

Question 8

vinos de mesa

Answer 8

table wines

Question 9

vinos de la tierra

Answer 9

country wines- equivalent to EU’s PGI level

Question 10

Vinos de calidad con indication

Answer 10

up and coming regions, expected to prove themselves worthy of DO status after 5 years.

Question 11

Denominacion de origen

Answer 11

67 as of Dec, 2019. Each of these is subject to regulations, and has a consejo regulador (regulating council) that controls local production and practices.

Question 12

Denominacion de origen calificada

Answer 12

Standout regions among the DOs, must demonstrate this for a minimum of 10 years to achieve this status.
This has only been rewarded to priorat and rioja

Question 13

Vino noble

Answer 13

wines that have spent a minimum of 18 months aging in barricas or bottle.

Question 14

Vino anejo

Answer 14

wines that have spent a minimum of 24 months aging in barricas or bottle.

Question 15

Vino viejo

Answer 15

wines that ahve spent a minimum of 36 months in an extremely oxidative environment

Question 16

Crianza reqs for both reds and whites

Answer 16

red- 6 months aging in barrel, 24 months total.

white- 6 months aging in barrel 18 total.

Question 17

Reserva reqs for both reds and whites

Answer 17

red- 12 months aging in barrel, 36 months total.

white- 6 months aging in barrel, 24 months total.

Question 18

Gran reserva reqs for both reds and whites

Answer 18

red-18 months aging in barrel, 60 months total

white- 6 months in barrel, 48 total

Question 19

Joven/generico

Answer 19

Term means young, can be used for wines released the year after it was made, therefore aged less than the legal minimum.

Question 20

Galicia

Answer 20

Northwest corner of spain, exposed to the atlantic, therefore much cooler and wetter than the rest of spain. known as green spain, and notable for higher acidity.

Question 21

Rias Baixas

Answer 21

A single DO in Galicia broken up into 5 non-contiguous subregions. Area is known for a dry, fragrant white wines with high acidity, made primarily from the albarinio grape.

Question 22

DO’s in Galicia other than Rias Baixas

Answer 22

Ribeiro- mostly white wines from an array of white grapes, including albarino.
Valdeorras- this region experiments with international grapes, but are also known for reviving their indigenous varieties of Godello and Mencia.