Spain Flashcards
Which Jerez vineyards was planted by Phoenecians
Macharnudo
What was Sack
A forerunner of Sherry, likely an inexpensive imitation of dried grape wines that reemerged in Italy and Greece (Vin Santo)
Possibly made with mixing resinated must with normal must
Who began experimenting with barrique ageing in Rioja
Manuel Esteban Quintano - a priest from Rioja
Which two estates pioneered barrique ageing Riojas
Marques de Murrieta - 1852
Marques de Riscal - 1860
What is the geographical position of Spain
On Iberian peninsula, seperated from France by Pyrenees mountain to the North
30 to 44 degrees north
Meets mediterranean sea in south with Atlantic Ocean to the west
High altitude vineyards, on Meseta Central
What are the different mountain ranges in Spain
Pyrenees to the north
Sistema central in the center
Cantabria in the west
Systema Iberico, perpendicular to sistema central to the south
Sistema Penibetico in South East
Sierra Nevada is a part of Sistema Penibetico
What are the most important rivers in Spain
Mino Ebro Duero Tagus Guardiana Guadalquivir
Which two autonomous regions of Spain are not on mainland
Canary Island - south west
Balearic Islands - east
Which two autonomous regions of Spain do not have a DO
Cantabria
Asturias
What are the 15 autonomous regions of Spain on mainland
Galicia
Asturias
Cantabria
Basque Country
Navarra
La Rioja
Castilla Y Leon
Aragon
Catalonia
Madrid
Extremadura
Castilla La Mancha
Valencia
Murcia
Andalucia
What are the two autonomous cities of Spain
Melilla
Ceuta
Both are in North Africa - Close to Morocco
What are the 3 key winds of Spain
Poniente - blows from west, brings cool Atlantic air
Levante - blows from East, hot and humid wind
Leveche - hot drying currents from African deserts
Which famous Rioja producer withdrew from appellation in 2015
Artadi
When did the DO system begin in Spain
1932
What are the different tiers of Spanish wine law
Vino de Mesa - table wine
Vino de la Tierra - PGI
VCIG, DO, DOCa - PDO
How long must a region wait in VCIG tier before it can apply for DO status
Min 5 yrs
Which is the most famous non contiguous DO of Spain
Cava DO
What is Pliego de Condiciones? What does it regulate
Official documentation of appellation regulations
It controls yields, vine training, viticultural practices, vinification techniques and permitted varieties
What are the two DOCa of Spain
Rioja 1991
Priorato 2009
When was Vino de Pago catagory established
2003
What is Vino de Pago in Spain
A designation awarded to a single estate that may exist within or outside a DO
Must be estate bottled
Vineyard must be owned by the winery
Must be in production min 10 years before applying
Which is the smallest DO Pago
Vallegarcia in Castilla la Mancha
Which were the first DO Pago approved
Dominio de Valdepusa - 2003
Finca Elez - 2003
Both in Castilla La Mancha
What is Vino de Pago Calificado
A hypothetical catagory for any estate applying for Pago status from a DOCa
What is Grandes Pagos de Espana
A consortium of Spanish wineries who co market their wines with minimal overlap
What are the DO Pagos of Navarra
Senorio de Arinzano
Prado Irache
Bodegas Otazu
Bolandin
What are the DO Pagos of Valencia
El Terrarazo
Los Balagueses
Vera de Estenas
Chozas Carrascal
Which is the DO Pago of Aragon
Ayles
What are the DO Pagos of Castilla La Mancha
Dominio de Valdepusa
Finca Elez
Guijoso
Dehesa del Carrizal
Campo de la Guardia
Florentino
Casa del Blanco
Calzadilla
Vallegarcia
La Jareba
Los Cerrillos
El Vicario
How many DO Pagos exist in Spain in 2024
25 DO Pagos
What is the difference in Crianza red wine ageing between other DOs and Rioja/Ribera del Duero
Both prescribe 2 years ageing vs 18 months for rest of Spain
Both require 1 year ageing in Oak casks vs 6 months for rest of Spain
What is the difference in Riserva catagory for reds in Rioja vs all other DOs (including Ribera del Duero)
All prescribe 3 yrs ageing with 1 yr in Oak barrels
Rioja prescribes mandatory 6 months ageing in bottle
What is the difference in red wine ageing for Gran Reserva catagory between other DOs and Rioja and Ribera del Duero
All DOs need 5 years total ageing
Rioja mandates 2 years in Oak casks and 2 years in bottle
Rioja mandates two years in oak casks
All others require 18 months in Oak barrels
What size and make of wood is mandated for ageing catagories in DOs and DOca
Max 330 ltr capacity Oak barrels/barricas
What is the min oak ageing mandated for different ageing catagories of DO wines in Spain for White and Rosado wines
6 months minimum in 330 Ltr oak casks for all catagories
What is the minimum ageing required for all different catagories for white and Rosado wines
Crianza - 18 months - 6 in oak
Riserva - 2 yrs - 6 months in Oak
Gran Reserva - 4 years - 6 months in oak
What is the difference in White and Rosado ageing in Rioja vs all other DO’s
No difference any more
What is the difference in ageing in Crianza and Reserva White and Rosado wines in Rioja
Crianza is 18 months while reserva 2 yrs ageing. Both mandate 6 months in Oak barricas
Remainder can be in any vessel of choice for Crianza, while it must be in bottle or Oak for Reserva catagory
What are Vi de Villa wines
Village level wines, showcasing wines from single village instead of a blend from entire region
Which regions follow Vi de Villa catagory
Priorato
Bierzo
Rioja
Rueda
Which is the second most planted white grape in the world
Airen
What qualities of Airen make it widely planted in Spain
Extremely vigourous producing plenty crop
Disease resistant
Drought resistant
Which grape is offspring of Albarino with Amaral
Caino Blanco
Which Spanish region is most noted for Godello
Valdeorras
What is Palomino called on Canary Island
Listan Blanco
Which French region produces Palomino
Historically distilled for Armagnac, across Pyrenees
Which other grape is Parellada related to
Albillo Real
Which grape is Verdejo related to
Godello
Not related to Verdelho of Madeira
What are the popular Spanish synonyms for Tempranillo
Cencibel - Valdepenas
Tinto del Pais - Ribera del Duero
Tinto Fino - Ribera del Duero
Tinta de Toro - Toro
Tinta Roriz/Aragonez - Portugal
Ull de Llebre - Catalunya
Which wines are referred to as Aloques in Spain
Rose wines
What are the DOs included in Galicia
Rias Baixas
Ribeiro
Ribeira Sacra
Valdeorras
Monterrei
Who initiated quality winemaking in Rias Baixas
Cistercian monks arriving from Burgundy for pilgrimage
What are Pazos in Rias Baixas
Estates in Local Language
What was the first commercial winery in Rias Baixas
Palacios de Fefines - 1904
What was the earlier name of Rias Baixas DO
Albarino DO
What is Xabre
Decomposed granite in Rias Baixas found in soils
Low water retention, useful in rainy environment
1200 - 1800 per year rainfall in Rias Baixas
What are the subzones of Rias Baixas
Val do Salnes
Ribeira do Ulla
Soutomaior
O Rosal
Condado do Tea
Which is the largest, coldest and wettest area of Rias Baixas DO
Val do Salnes - over 50% of total plantings
What is the defining feature of Val do Salnes wines
Marked salinity in its wines
Which is the youngest subzone of Rias Baixas
Ribeira do Ulla in North East
Which is the smallest subzone of Rias Baixas
Soutomaior
Which two subregions of Rias Baixas border Portugal
O Rosal - west, towards Atlantic
Condado do Tea - Eastern, inland region
Which is the warmest and driest subzone of Rias Baixas
Condado do Tea
Which river marks the border between Spain and Portugal
Minho River
What are Minifundias
Small plots of vineyards
Average 0.6 ha split into 4 parcels
What is Parral
Pergola system with vines trained on granite posts
Enables greater airflow to combat Mildew or Rot Encourages photosynthesis and ripening
Protects grapes from Sunburn
What kind of wines are permitted in Rias Baixas
White, red and sparkling
What is the label term found on a barrique aged white wine from Rias Baixas
Blanco/Albarino barrica
What white wine grapes are permitted in Val do Salnes and Ribera de Ulla subzone designated white wines
Min 70% recommended white grapes
Albarino, Loureira, Treixadura and Caina Blanca
What grapes are must for O Rosal white wines
Min 70% Albarino and Loureira
What grapes are must for Condado do Tea whites
Min 70% Albarino and Treixadura
What soil type is found in Val do Salnes, O Rosal and Soutomaior
Alluvial over granite
What soil type is found Ribeira do Ulla
Mainly Alluvial
What soil type is found in Condado do Tea
Granite and Slate, light granite subsoils
What % of grapes is required for a Rias Baixas wine to be labelled Albarino
100%
Which Rias Baixas subzone cannot label wines by its name
Soutomaior
What are the red grapes of Rias Baixas
Caino Tinto
Espadeiro
Loureira Tinta
Souson
Mencia
Brancellao
What is Vino Tostado
A dried grape wine similar to Vin Santo of Tuscany, produced in Ribeiro
How is Vino Tostado produced
Red or white grapes are dried for 3 months
Min must weight 350 g/l
Fermented and aged in Oak or cherry casks
Min 6 months in cask, 3 in bottle
Min 120 g/l RS
What soils are found in Ribeiro DO
Decomposed granite, mica and schist and schistous sand
What are the main white grapes of Ribeiro
Treixadura, Godello, Torrontes, Loureira, Lado, Albarino, Caino Blanco
What are the key red grapes of Ribeiro
Mencia, Caino Tinto, Ferron, Souson, Brancellao
What are the main 3 rivers in Ribeiro
Mino
Avia
Arnoia
What is the main threat to Ribeiro wines
Spring frost due to high humidity and elevated precipitation
What kind of wines are main produce of Ribeiro
90% white wines from mainly Treixadura, blended with other grapes of the region
Name the subzones of Ribeira Sacra
Amandi
Chantada
Ribeiras do Mino
Ribeiras do Sil
Quiroga Bibei
What is Branco/Tinto Garda wines in Ribeira Sacra
Wines aged for 4 months for white or 7 months for red
Reds/Whites to be aged in either wood or concrete/other material
SS or polyester not permitted
Anything between 225L to 10000 L for reds/8000L for whites permitted
Uto 5000L for other materials permitted
What is Blanco/Tinto barrica in Ribeira Sacra
Branco barrica - 3 months in barrel of upto 600L
Tinto barrica - 6 months in upto 500L barrel
What is Summum in Ribeira Sacra
Min 85% of the principal varieties permitted for red
Min 100% principal varieties for whites
What is the varietal composition of Ribeira Sacra tinto wines
Min 70% Mencia required
Which two rivers pass through Ribeira Sacra
Mino
Sil
Name some famous producers of Ribeira Sacra
Guimaro
Algueira
Dominio do Bibei
Which subregion of Ribeira Sacra is considered the best in quality
Amandi - in the center, northern slopes of Sil river
What kind of soils are found in Ribeira Sacra
Granitic soils near Sil river
Mainly slate in upper Sil areas
Which grape is known as Merenzao in Ribeira Sacra
Bastardo/Trousseau
What are the Portuguese names for Souson and Brancellao found in Ribeira Sacra
Souson - Vinhao
Brancellao - Alvarelhao
Which is the most prominent grape of Ribeira Sacra
Mencia - planted in 90% of all vineyards
Which wine region bridges Galicia with Castilla Y Leon, close to Bierzo
Valdeorras
What are the key wine styles Valdeorras is known for
White wines based on Godello
Red wines based on Mencia
Which river flows through Valdeorras
Sil
What is the major soil type and export of Valdeorras
Slate soils
Valdeorras exports slates for roofing tiles
Which varieties are allowed to be bottled varietally in Valdeorras
Godello - min 85%
Mencia - min 85%
Which other region excpt Ribeiro also produces Vino Tostado
Valdeorras
What are Valdeorras Castes Nobles wines
Wines made from preferred varieties, both red and white permitted
Which grape variety is preferred for Valdeorras espumoso
Godello - Min 85%
Which Galicia regions are at the Portuguese border
Rias Baixas
Monterrei
What are the subzones in Monterrei
Valle de Monterrei
Ladera de Monterrei
What grape is referred to as Arauxa in Monterrei
Tempranillo
Which river and its tributaries flow in Monterrei
Tamega
Which VCIG exists in Asturias
Cangas VCIG
What is Sidra? Which regions produce Sidra
Sidra is Spanish Cider, often cited as more sour than other European ciders
Produced in Galicia, Basque, Cantabria and Asturias
What are the different names for Basque country
Pais Vasco - Spanish
Euskadi - Basque
What are the DOs in Basque country
Bizkaiko Txakolina
Getariako Txakolina
Arabako Txakolina
Which grape also grows in South West France are known as Izkiriota and Izkiriota Ttippia
Izkiriota - Gros Manseng
Izkiriota Ttippia - Petit Manseng
What are the key grapes in three Txacoli
Ondarrabi Zuri for white wines
Ondarrabi Beltza for red wines
Which Txakoli produces Ojo de Gallo (Rose wine)
Bizkaiko Txakolina
Ozo de Gallo - requires min 50% Ondarrabi Beltza
Which two Basque DO’s are close to bay of Biscay
Gateriako Txakolina
Bizkaiko Txakolina
Which is the smallest and newest Txakolina
Arabako Txakolina (Alava)
More inland, with less coastal influence
Which mountain range seperates Castilla Y Leon from Castilla La Mancha
Sistema Central
What kind of climate is found in Castilla Y Leon
Dramatically continental
Very hot summers and very cold winters
Frost is a challenge in spring and autumn
Name the DO’s of Castilla y Leon (9)
Arlanza Arribes Bierzo Cigales Ribera del Duero Rueda Toro Tierra de Leon Tierra del Vino de Zamora
Which Castilla y Leon DO is closer to Galicia in proximity and style of wines
Bierzo
What are the key minerals/metals found in mines of Bierzo
Iron
Gold
Coal
Which winery was an early leader in quality in Bierzo DO
Prada y Tope
Who were the quality initiators of Bierzo
Jose Louis Prada - Prada y Tope
Raul Perez
Alvaro Palacios
Riccardo Perez Palacios
Which river and mountain are key influence on Bierzo climate
Sil river and its tributaries
Sierra de Los Ancares - shields a lot of Atlantic influence
What are the two unofficial subzones in Bierzo
Flatter - Baja Bierzo
Mountain plantings - Alto Bierzo
Which vineyards and topography is prized for viticulture in Bierzo
Higher, sloped sites of Alto Bierzo, often with Quartz and sandstone based soils
How does the Bierzo quality pyramid compares to Burgundy
Vino de la Region - Bierzo Vino de Villa - Village level Vino de Paraje - Lieu Dit Vino de Vina Clasificada - Cru wine Gran vino de Vina Clasificada - Grand Cru Wine
What is Vino Clarete in Bierzo
Deep Rose wine produced by 40 - 60% red grapes and rest white grapes of Bierzo
Directly pressed, except 5 - 10% destemmed grapes included in fermentation
Which grape is referred to as Merenzao
Trousseau/Bastardo
What are the yield restrictions on Bierzo quality pyramid
Vino de Villa - 20%
Vino de Paraje - 25%
Vina Clasificada - 30%
Gran Vina Clasificada - 35%
How are Vina clasificada and Gran Vina Clasificada designated in Bierzo
Vina Clasificada is added to designated single parcel or collection of parcels within vino de Paraje, labeled as such for 5 years and approved by tasting panel
Gran Vina Clasificada is added to wine produced as Vina Clasificada for at least 5 years and approved by tasting Panel
Which is the most consumed white wine DO in Spain
Rueda
What are Dorado wines of Rueda
Oxidative, fortified and sometimes flor affected Rancio wines
Aged in Solera and Demi Johns - 4 yrs min, 2 in wood
Literally means Golden
Made from Palomino Fino and Verdejo
What are the vino Palido in Rueda
Fino sherry styled wines from Rueda
Aged for min 3 years in wood under flor
What are Gran Vino de Rueda
Wines made from at least 30 YO vines
Who changed Rueda wine style
Marques de Riscal with Consultant Emile Peynaud
What are the white wines produced in Rueda
Rueda Blanco - must be min 50% Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc
Varietal labeling not permitted anymore
What are the vino del Pueblo in Rueda
New village level classification
85% of the grapes must come from permitted municipalities
What is the method and ageing permitted for Rueda Espumoso wines
Produced in traditional method
Aged min 9 months on the lees
36 months on the lees for Gran Anada
What is the key soil type in Rueda
Limestone and gravel
Who founded Vega Sicilia
Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves
1864
Which producer put the focus back to Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero in 1972
Alejandro Fernandez - Tinto Pesquera
When did Ribera del Duero become DO
1982
Who established Pingus? When
Peter Sisseck in 1995
Which four provinces does Ribera del Duero DO span
Soria
Segovia
Burgos
Valladolid
What kind of soils are found in Ribera del Duero
Mainly sandy and silty sandy soils
More limestone in east and west, less in the middle zone
Denser clay in the western portion
700 to 1000 M elevation. Average 800 - 850 M
What kind of climate is found in Ribera del Duero
Extreme continental climate, very hot summers and icy cold winters
Risk of frost in spring and autumn
Risk of hail as well
Big diurnal swings due to high elevation
What are the common names for Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero
Tinto Fino
Tinta del Pais
Which French grapes are permitted in Ribera del Duero
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Malbec
Which is the white grape of Ribera del Duero
Albillo Mayor
Which two grapes are progeny of Albillo Mayor
Tempranillo
Doradilla from Malaga
What percentage of red grapes is required in rose and clarete wines in Ribera del Duero
50% red grapes
What is the max capacity of oak casks permitted in use for ageing designations in Ribera del Duero
330L
Which province of Ribera del Duero is known for a different organoleptic profile of its wines
Soria - more brighter redder fruit profile with higher acidity