Spain Flashcards
Describe the three main climate zones in Spain.
North and Northwest - moderate maritime climate with Atlantic weather systems and high rainfall.
East Coast - from Cataluña in the North to the Levante further south has a warm Mediterranean climate. Vineyards are moderated by the sea or altitude. It becomes hotter further south.
Meseta Central - large plateau in central Spain has a hot, continental climate.
What is Spain’s premier black grape variety?
Tempranillo -It is thick-skinned, medium acidity that thrives in warm climates with high diurnal range.
Joven wine- fresh strawberry scented that is easy drinking
Often blended with Garnacha, Graciano, Carineña/Mazuelo or Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is Grenache called in Spain? How is it used?
Garnacha Tinta- used in rose wines and also in Priorat.
Describe the style of Monastrell wines and what is its more common name?
(Mourvedre) - thick-skinned grape variety that is drought tolerant but needs hot, sunny conditions to ripen.
Grown in SE DOs such as Yecla and Jumilla where it can reach full ripeness
Produces full bodied wines with high levels of tannins and alcohol, low to medium acidity and flavours of ripe blackberry fruit.
Name two key white wines from Spain.
Verdejo and Albariño
Describe the style of Verdejo wines.
Highly susceptible to oxidation and was used to make Sherry-like wines.
Protective wine making- light bodied, high acid, melon and peach flavoured style similar to SB, with which it is often blended.
Richer style - skin contact and barrel fermentation
Describe the style of Albariño wines.
NW Spain - Thick-skinned and able to resist fungal disease. Naturally high in acidity and produces refreshing wines with citrus and stone fruit flavours. It can also be made into a richer-full bodied style.
What is the most widely planted variety of grape in Spain and what is it used for?
Airen -the most widely planted grape variety in Spain (La Mancha in Central Spain). It can cope with the extreme heat and drought conditions.
Used in the production of Brandy de Jerez.
Which three varieties are used to make Cava?
Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo
What other name is Macabeo known for and what style of wine does it create?
Viura in Rioja - Creates an unoaked style with subtle herb and spice aromas
Name the six DO regions of Spain?
The Upper Ebro, Cataluña, Duero Valley, the North West, the Levante, and Castilla-La Mancha.
Which region is the most extensive for Vino de la Tierra wines?
Castilla y Leon
Name and describe the three regions of Rioja
Rioja Alavesa - lightest wines of Rioja with the most finesse
Rioja Alta - vineyards are planted from 500-800 metres and the climate is moderated by the Atlantic Ocean. The Cantabrian Mountains shield Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather.
Rioja Baja - less maritime climate with hotter summers and more severe winters. Rainfall is low and drought is a concern.
Describe how tempranillo performs in Rioja and other varieties that are often blended with it.
Tempranillo grows best in Alavesa and Alta. It adds red fruit flavours and medium tannins. It benefits from the body and alcohol that comes from being blending with Garnacha (grows best in Baja). Manzuelo and Graciano are less widely planted but play supporting role in blends.
Describe white Rioja winemaking. (Traditional and modern)
Eight varieties are permitted. Viura is the most widely planted variety and was traditionally aged in American oak for extended periods, developing deep golden colour and nutty flavours.
Modern white Riojas are made with minimal oxygen contact to preserve the maximum amount of fruit. Some producers are creating barrel-fermented white wines but with less oxidation than traditional white Riojas.
Describe red Rioja winemaking.
Semi-carbonic maceration: Red wines designed for early drinking that have vibrant red fruit flavours and low levels of smooth tannin.
Long-term maturation wines: usually destemmed, crushed and undergo traditional fermentation. Some producers use vigorous cap management techniques and extended maceration to produce heavily extracted wines, deep in colour and full of fruit flavours. Others are making more subtle, elegant styles. American oak used to be used which gave vanilla aromas, but now French or European oak is being used to give subtle, more spicy aromas.
How is Navarra different to Rioja
Similar climate but wetter and cooler towards the Pyrenees.
Describe the wines of Navarra.
Tempranillo is the most widely planted variety. Made in a similar style to Rioja but is blended more with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Garnacha grapes used for rose wines are picked earlier when acid levels are high and sugars low. Protective winemaking to create fresh, fruity wines with medium alcohol levels.
Small portion of white winemaking: Viura, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Which three appellations make up the Upper Ebro?
Rioja, Navarra, Cariñena and Calatayud
Describe the climate and wines of Cariñena and Calatayud
Warm continental climate
Inexpensive, early drinking, fruity wines come from this region.
Higher quality wines are made with old vine Garnacha and Cariñena and have greater flavour intensity and structure.
The Cariñena grape is not the most widely planted variety in this DO, despite being named after it.
What is unusual about the Cataluña DO?
It covers the entire region and is generic.
Describe the climate of Penedes and the grape varieties grown here.
Three distinct climate zones.
-Hottest, coastal plain where the climate is Mediterranean
-Inland, valleys, the climate is slightly cooler than on the plain but still warm
-Further into the hills up to 800m the climate is moderate.
Grapes used for making Cava are grown in this area
International varieties are grown here too: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo (Ull de Llebre) and Pinot Noir are the most planted red varieties
Describe the climate and terrain of Priorat
Vineyards lie within the hills inland from the city of Tarragona. Long hot, dry, summers and low rainfall. Ideal conditions for the old vine Garnacha and Cariñena vines, as both are late ripening varieties.
What is the soil in Priorat called and why is it good for growing grapes?
Llicorella -local soils that consist of red slate layers with small mica particles that sparkle in the sun. They help ripening by reflecting and conserving heat and because of their depth, they are able to retain water throughout the growing season.
