Spain Flashcards
what is the range of Spanish wines
traditional barrel aged reds to modern fruity whites.
What are Spain’s three broad climate zones?
1 The north and northwest coast of Spain
2 The east coast from Catalunya in the north to the Levante further south
3 The Meseta Central , a large plateau in the center of Spain
Describe the north and northwest coast of Spain
moderate maritime climate dominated by Atlantic weather system. rainfall is high
Describe the east coast of Spain
warm Mediterranean climate. many vineyards are moderated by influence of sea or altitude. it becomes increasingly hot the further south
Describe the Meseta Central section of Spain
mostly cut off from the influence by the sea by encircling mountains. has hot continental climate. in winter temperatures fall below freezing and in the summers temperatures are very high with limited rainfall, although temps can be moderated by cool nights of high altitude sites.
What are the greatest challenges to grape growing in Spain
with the exception of north west Spain - heat and lack of water
what is the best way to manage a vine?
utilizing low density bush trained vineyards which maximizes the amount of water available to each vine and shading the fruit from excess heat. Although wire training is becoming introduced to facilitate machine harvesting where practical and affordable.
How are the best red wines from Spain matured?
almost always see oak maturation usually with at least a proportion of new oak
How are the inexpensive red wines matured in Spain?
may be made without oak and semi carbonic maceration to enhance the fruity flavors.
What is Spain’s premier black grape variety?
Tempranillo
Where is Tempranillo grown in Spain?
throughout the northern and central vineyards of Spain
Describe the Tempranillo grape
thick skinned with med levels of acidity, needs warmth to develop its flavors but too hot could cause the wine to lack acidity for ideal balance. therefore its best found where sea breezes and/or altitude moderate the temp
How is Tempranillo typically fermented
on its own often using semi -carbonic maceration it can produce strawberry scented Joven wine. also plays a role in other oak blends
What is Joven style wine?
early drinking style
What is Garnacha Tinta
Spanish name for Grenache. wine high in alcohol with tendency to mature early.
What is Garnacha Tinta widely used for?
rosados
What is Monastrell
also (Mourvedre) is a thick skinned grape that is tolerant of drought but needs hot sunny conditions to ripen
Where is Monastrell grown?
south eastern Do’s such as Jumilla and Yecla - where is can easily reach ripeness and produces deep colored full bodied wines with high levels of tannins and alcohol, low to med acidity and flavors of ripe blackberry fruit
What are wines outside of the Spanish wine laws labelled?
Vino
What is the Spanish for PDO wines?
Denominacion de Origen Protegida (DOP) - but traditional terms are used
What is Denominacion de Origen (DO)
should be wines of a certain minimum quality satisfying specifications covering grape varieties, viticulture and location
What is the more prestigious category from DO which DO’s can apply for after 10 years standing
DOCa - Denominacion de Origen Calificada - at present there are only 2 - Rioja and Priorat
What Catalan terminology does Priorat wines use?
Denominacio d’Origen Qualificada (DOQ)
What is Vinos de Pago (VP)
Spanish wine law category that applies to a small number of single estates with high reputations. Approved estates may only use their own grapes which must be vinified and matured on their estate.
What is the traditional term for PGI wines used in Spain?
Vino de la Tierra (VdIT)
what are the aging requirements for Joven white/ rose wines?
0 total aging
0 time spent in barrel
what are the aging requirements for Joven red wines?
0 total aging
0 time spent in barrel
what are the aging requirements for Crianza red wines?
24 months total aging
6 months time spent in barrel
what are the aging requirements for Crianza white/ rose wines?
18 months total aging
6 months time spent in barrel
what are the aging requirements for Riserva red wines?
36 months total aging
12 months time spent in barrel
what are the aging requirements for Riserva white/ rose wines?
24 months total aging
6 months time spent in barrel
what are the aging requirements for Gran Riserva red wines?
60 months total aging
18 months time spent in barrel
what are the aging requirements for Gran Riserva white/ rose wines?
48 months total aging
6 months time spent in barrel
What is another black grape varietal that is grown in Spain but challenging to grow
Graciano - highly valued
Where is Graciano typically grown?
Rioja - mostly used to blend adding black fruit aromas. acidity and tannins
What is the Spanish name for Carignan?
Carinena - called Mazuelo in rioja
What does Carignan blend well with?
Tempranillo although also grown in Priorat where it is blended with Garnacha to enhance tannin structures of wines.
What is another local variety in Tempranillo that is up and coming
Mencia - like moderate climates
Describe Mencia characteristics
fresh fruit med to high acidity, sometimes hint of herbaceousness
Describe most of Spain’s whites?
fresh and fruity
what helps to retain Spain’s white delicate fruit aromas?
harvesting at night or early morning and fermenting in temperature controlled stainless steel vessels.
Besides stainless steel what do other producers use to mature Spain’s white wines?
oak fermentation and maturation as well as techniques such as lees stirring to add texture and different flavors
What is Verdejo susceptible to
oxidation - was used to make Sherry
What can Verdejo be made into with protective winemaking?
light bodied, high acidity melon peach flavored similar to Sauvignon Blanc with which it is often blended. or it can undergo skin contact and barrel fermentation and be made a richer fuller bodied style
Where is Albarino grown?
north west of Spain
Describe Albarino grape
thick skinned and can resist fungal disease (useful in damp climate). natural high acidity, producing refreshing wines with citrus and stone fruit, can also be made richer and fuller bodied
What is the most widely planted grape variety in Spain?
Airen
Where the vast majority of Airen planted?
La Mancha in central Spain - one of the few varieties that can cope with extreme heat an drought
What are the main varietals used in Cava?
Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo - widely planted in Catalunya
What is Macabeo know as in Riojo
Viura - can be made in an unoaked style with subtle herb and spice aromas. traditionally it was heavily oaked in Rioja
What international varietals are often used in Spain for quality wines?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay - often blended with local varieties
How many geographical regions are the DO’s grouped together? and what are they
6 - Upper Ebro, Catalunya, Duero Valley, North West, Levante, and Castilla-La-Mancha
What is the most extensive region that is designated for the production of Vino de la Tierra?
Castilla y Leon which is towards the north of the Meseta Central
How many sub regions is Rioja split into and what are they?
3
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Alta
Rioja Baja
Where are Rioja’s sub regions situated
around the regions principle city Logrono on the north bank of Ebro in the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains
Where is Rioja Alavesa?
on the north bank of Ebro in the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains
Describe wines from Rioja Alavesa
lightest in Rioja and often have most finesse
Where is the Rioja Alta
west of Logrono but lies mainly to the south of the Ebro.
which of the three sub regions in Spain is the largest
Rioja Alta
Where are vineyards in rioja Alta and Alavesa planted?
range of altitudes from 500-800 m
What is climate of Rioja Alta and Alavesa
both have climates moderated by the Atlantic ocean although the Cantabrian Mountains shield rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather
Where is rioja Baja
situated on to the east of Logrono mainly on the south bank
what is the climate of Rioja Baja?
less maritime but summers are hotter and they have more severe winters. Annual rainfall can be low making drought a problem
What are planting dominated by in rioja
black grapes, specifically Tempranillo
Where does Tempranillo do best in Spain
the cooler western sub regions
Describe characteristics of Tempranillo
typically used in blends gives flavors of red fruit, med tannins
what does Tempranillo benefit from when blended with other grapes?
body and alcohol from Grenacha
where does Granacha grow best in rioja?
Rioja Baja
Describe how Rioja designed for early drinking red wines are made?
depending on winemaker. may undergo semi -carbonic maceration to produce wines that have vibrant red fruits and low levels of sooth tannins
Describe how Rioja designed for long term maturation red wines are made?
usually de-stemmed and crushed and undergo typical fermentation- although some producers use vigorous cap management and extended maceration to produce heavily extracted wines deep in color full of fruit flavors, but many are making more elegant styles
what type of maturation has a defining role in Rioja?
oak - traditionally wines are aged in American oak and often have pronounced flavors of vanilla. many producers now use French oak or other European Countries giving more subtle spicy aromas.
How many white varieties are currently approved in Rioja for use?
8
What is the most widely planted white variety in Rioja?
Viura
how are white wines typically aged in Rioja?
traditionally for extended period of time in American oak and develop golden colors and nutty flavors. However, these oxidized wines have fallen out of favor. Modern whites are made with minimal contact with oxygen in order to preserve fruit aromas
Where are the vineyards of Navarra DO
they stretch from northern and eastern borders of Rioja into the foothills of the Pyrennes
What is the climate of Navarra DO?
similar to Rioja but becomes cooler and wetter near the mountains.
What is the most widely planted grape in Navarra?
Tempranillo - production focused on red wine
What is Tempranillo blended with in Navarra?
either other Rioja varietals or Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
what Spanish wine styles are made in Navarro
range from good value Joven to top quality premium Gran Reservas
What varieties are used for rose in Navarro?
Garnacha
when are Garnacha grapes picked in Navarro and why?
earlier when acid levels are high and sugar levels lower and then handled protectively to create refreshing fruity wines with med levels of alcohol
What white varietals used for wine production in Navarro
very little white wine production in Navarro, but Viura Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc all used.
Where are Carinena and Calatayud located?
neighboring DOs located o the south of the Ebro
What are the climates of Carinena and Calatayud?
warm continental climates and low rainfall
What is the main varietal used in both Carinena and Calatayud?
Garnacha
Describe inexpensive wines made in Carinena and Calatayud?
fruity early drinking styles
Describe higher quality wines made in Carinena and Calatayud?
tend to be made from old vine Garnacha and Carinena and display greater flavor intensity and structure.
Where is Catalunya located?
occupies the north east corner of Spain. vast majority of the vineyards are located in an area that lies to the south of Barcelona and comprises the coastal plain and hills immediately to the west.
What is Catalunya unlike other Spanish administrative regions?
it has a generic DO for still wines that covers the entire region. Came into existence mainly to allow for blending of wines from various areas to provide the opportunity to create significant volumes of branded wines.
Where is nearly all Cava made?
Catalunya
Where do the vineyards of Penedes lie
immediately to the south west of Barcelona and stretch from the Mediterranean coast up into the hills.
how many distinct climatic zones does Penedes have?
3 - 1 hottest on the coastal plain = Mediterranean
2 slightly cooler is inland in the valleys, but still warm
3 moderate - further into the hills where vines grown up to 800m above sea level
what is the most planted white grape in Penedes?
ones used in Cava, but also Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and Gewurztraminer
what is the most planted red grape in Penedes?
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo (Ull de Llebre here), and Pinot Noir
Where do Priorat vineyards lie?
within hills inland from the city of Tarragon.
Describe climate of Priorat
long summers hot and dry and low annual rainfall. ideal for garnacha and Carinena being late ripening varietals. soil is important. cool night temperatures provide relief from the heat of the day.
what is llicorella
best know soils in Priorat consisting of layers of red slate with small particles of mica that sparkle in the sun. Help in ripening by reflecting and conserving heat and because of their depth they are able to retain water throughout growing season.
what makes mechanization impossible in Priorat?
bush vines and steep slopes
Why are Priorat wines expensive?
vineyards are expensive to manage, vines produce very small yields.
Describe a red Priorat wine
deeply colored with high tannins, med to high alcohol and concentrated black fruit often with toasty aromas from new French oak
what is the core of many blends in Priorat
garnacha and cainena - but international varietals can also be added - esp Cabernet Sauvignon
can white and rose be made in Priorat?
yes but rarely seen
Where is the Duero Valley
River Duero starts in the mountains south of Rioja and flows through Spain into Portugal where it is called Douro.
Describe Ribera del Duero climate
cut off from any maritime influence due to being cut off from the ring of mountains. short hot and dry summers and very cold winters.
where are the vineyards located in Ribera del duero
on the highest part of the Meseta Central with some being planted at over 850 m. the altitude ensures the region experiences cool night time temps throughout the year which helps to retain acidity and fresh fruit flavors.
What style wines is Ribera del Duero a DO for?
red and rose only - with vast majority being red
what is the dominant grape in Ribera del Duero
Tempranillo and only variety in the best wines
Describe best wine in Ribera del Duero
dark in color, with high level of tannins
What are other varietials that are also allowed in Ribera del Duero
Cab Sauv, Merlot, and Malbec - rarely seen
What varietal is made into dry rose in Ribera del Duero
Garnacha
Describe wine production in Ribera del Duero
many producers have decided to accentuate concentrated fruit flavors and tannins by undergoing a long maceration process and aging wines for relatively short periods of time on new oak - increasingly made from French oak instead of American
What is the climate in Toro DO
similar to its neighbors Ribera del Duero.
what is the predominant grape in Toro DO
Tempranillo
Describe wine from Toro
full bodied, with intense fruit flavors and high alcohol - coming from high daytime temps sunny conditions and often low yielding bush vines.
Describe Joven wine from Toro
generally has a proportion of Garnacha
Describe riservas and gran Riservas in Toro
can be exceptionally deeply colored and tannic while young, and have ability to age well.
Are whites and rose wines made in Toro?
yes in small quantities.
Where is Rueda?
situated between Toro and Ribera del Duero
What style wine does Rueda focus on?
white wines mostly made from Verdejo although Sauvignon Blanc is also used
What is the climate of Rueda?
continental with cool summer nights
How much Verdejo must a blended have in Rueda
at least 50%
Describe climate of northwest Spain
due to Atlantic influences it is cooler and wetter than the rest of Spain. making it home of Spain’s best whites
What is the most celebrated white in northwest Spain and where is it found?
Albarino from Rias Baixas
Where is Rias Baixas?
situated on the Atlantic coast
Describe the climate of Rias Baixas?
moderate damp climate. humid conditions means vine diseases (rot, mildew) are a common problem.
How are vines trained in Rias Baixas?
on pergolas to encourage air circulation
Describe Albrarino wines from Rias Baixas
most are made in a regreshing unoaked style high acidity and ripe stone fruit flavors. some are in a richer style occasionally with a touch of oak or less stirring.
is red wine permitted in Rias Baixas?
yes but a very minor concern
What style wine is Bierzo
predominately red
Where is Bierzo located
in the mountains that mark the boundary between Galicia and the Meseta Central.
What is the climate of Bierzo?
moderate and benefits from a cooling maritime influence.
What is the key grape variety in Bierzo?
Mencia - producing elegent red wines with naturally high acidity and red fruit aromas.
describe best wines from Bierzo?
come from old vines grown in steep stony slopes.
Describe production process of Bierzo wines?
some producers make unoaked wines to retain perfumed red fruit grape variety, but many use new oak to add toasty aromas.
Where is the Levante
its the region on the Mediterranean coast south of Catalunya
Where is Valencia DO
large and spread out
What varietals are planted in Valencia DO?
a large number of different local and international varietals. Monastrell is most planted red and white is dominated by Merseguera (local). Muscat of Alexandria is also produced for a sweet fortified wine
Where is Jumilla and Yecia located
further inland
What is the climate of Jumilla and Yecia
hot arid
What is the dominant grape in Jumilla and Yecia and how is it made
Monastrell - most are youthful and fruity in style
Where does almost half of Spain’s total wine production come from>
Castilla-La Mancha - vast central area of the Meseta Central that lies south of Madrid
What is the largest DO in Spain
La Mancha
What is the largest grape variety made in La Mancha
Airen - used to produce neutral fresh white wines. however planting are in a decline
What are producers being encouraged to plant in La mancha?
Tempranillo (Cencibel locally) and other international grape varieties such as Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauv Blanc
What is La Mancha and excellent source of?
inexpensive well made reds and whites for the export market
Where did top quality pagos wines begin?
La Mancha - awarded the appellation Vinos de Pago.
Where is Valdepenas DO located?
immediately to the south of La mancha.
what is the climate of Valdepenas DO
identical to La Mancha but reputation exceeds La mancha
What is the most widely planted grape in Valdepenas DO
Airen overall, but Tempranillo (Cencibel) is most planted of reds either as varietal wine or blend
Describe wine from Valdepenas DO
range from fruity to more concentrated and oak matured.
