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Spain Flashcards

Wset Spain

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1
Q

Name the three climatic zones in Spain and their characteristics/associated risks.

A

North-west coast:

  • moderate maritime climate dominated by Atlantic weather systems
  • high rainfall

East coast (from Catalunya to Levante):

  • warm Mediterranean climate
  • many of the vineyards are moderated by the influence of the sea or altitude, depending on their location
  • the climate becomes increasingly hot further south

The Meseta Central:

  • it’s a large plateau in the centre of Spain
  • mostly cut off from the influence of the sea by surrounding mountains
  • hot continental climate
  • in winters temperatures fall below freezing
  • summer temperatures are very high and rainfall is very limited, however these temperatures can be moderated by the cool nights of high altitude sites.
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2
Q

Biggest challenges to grape growing in Spain?

How grape growers combat the challenge?

A

With the notable exception of north-west of Spain, heat and lack of water are the biggest challenges
Low density, bush-trained vineyards remain the best way to combat this challenge.

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3
Q

What conditions are best for growing Tempranillo grape?

A

Even though Tempranillo needs sufficient warmth for successfully ripening, when grown in sites that are too hot it can be lacking acitidy. It’s best grown insures that are moderated by the sea and/or altitude.

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4
Q

Increasingly popular style made with Tempranillo?

A

Fermented on its own, often using semi-carbonic maceration, it can produce a fresh-scented Joven wine.

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5
Q

How is Rose called in Spain?

What grape is typically used for its production?

A

Rosado.

Garnacha Tinta.

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6
Q

Important black grape in Priorat, vinification and style?

A

Garnacha Tinta is an important black grape in Priorat, where low-yielding old vines enable the production of intense, complex, full-bodied reds.

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7
Q

Name for Mourvèdre grape in Spain?

A

Monastrell

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8
Q

Why winemakers use Graciano grape in blends?

A

Small quantities are used to add concentrated black fruit aromas, acidity and tannins tot he structure of a wine to help it age.

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9
Q

Carignan grape is called…in Spain?
Is the name different in Rioja region?
Characteristics?

A

Cariñena in Spain.
Mazuelo in Rioja.
Wines that are high in acid, tannin and color. These qualities are considered when blending Cariñena with other grapes. E.g. blended with Garnacha in Priorat to add tannin to the blend; also ideal blend with Temparnillo

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10
Q

Temparnillo grape characteristics?

A

Thick-skinned grape, with medium levels of acidity.

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11
Q

Name seven black grape varieties in Spain.

A
  • Monastrell
  • Garnacha Tinta
  • Graciano
  • Temparnillo
  • Cariñena
  • Mazuelo
  • Mencía
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12
Q

What are Mencía grape characteristics?

A

This grape suits moderate climates, giving wines with fresh fruit, med/high acid, and sometimes a hint of herbal aroma.

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13
Q

Which wines can be qualified for Denominación Calificada (DOCa)?
Examples of DOCa?

A

DOs of at least ten years standing may apply for this more prestigious category.
At present there are only two DOCa:
-Rioja
-Priorat

*Priorat wines use the Catalan terminology of Denominació d’Orogen Qualificada (DOQ)

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14
Q

What is the terminology used for category of small number of single estates with high reputations?
What are the terms?

A

Vinos de Pago (VP)

Approved estates may only use their own grapes, which must be vinified and matured on their estate.

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15
Q

Name age categories for Spanish wines.

A
  • joven
  • crianza
  • reserva
  • gran reserva
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16
Q

Ageing requirements for reds (total and in barrel)
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva

A

Crianza: 24-6
Reserva: 36-12
Gran Reserva: 60-18

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17
Q

Ageing requirements for white and rose wines

Total-in barrel

A

Crianza: 18-6
Reserva: 24-6
Gran Reserva: 48-6

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18
Q

Rioja does require to age wine for longer than some of the other regions in Spain.
True/false?

A

True. Rioja requires that wines are aged for longer both in total and in barrel.

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19
Q

Which grape is used for Sherry-like wines? Why?

Is it made in any other styles?

A

Verdejo.
It’s a white grape that is highly susceptible to oxidation.
With protective methods, it can be made in a light-bodied style with high acid and flavours of melon and peach, similar in style to Sauvignon Blanc (often blended together).
It can also be made in a full-bodied style when it has undergone skin-contact and barrel-ageing.

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20
Q

White grape grown to the north-west and it’s characteristics?

A

Albariño - is a thick-skinned grape and thus able to resist fungal disease, which is useful in damp climate I’m which it is grown. It’s naturally high in acidity and can produce refreshing wines with citrus and stone fruit flavours. Can also be made in a richer, full-bodied style.

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21
Q

Most widely planted grape variety in Spain?
Where does majority of production come from?
What are the characteristics?
What style of wine is it used for?

A

Airén.
Majority of it is planted in La Mancha in central Spain, as it’s one of the few varieties that is able to cope with extreme heat and drought conditions of the Meseta Central.
Nowadays it is used for a dry wine production, but much of the output is continued to be used to make Brandy de Jerez.

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22
Q

What grapes are used for Cava production?

A

Parellada, Xarel-xo and Macabeo.

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23
Q

How is Macabeo grape called in Rioja?

A

Viura

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24
Q

What are the tree distinct sub-regions of Rioja?

What are the climate/production differences?

A

Rioja Alavesa:,

  • lightest wines in Rioja, often have the most finesse
  • vineyards are planted at the range of altitudes
  • vineyards are moderated by Atlantic ocean
  • Cantabrian mountains shield Rioja from the worst of Atlantic weather

Rioja Alta

  • vineyards are planted at the range of altitudes
  • vineyards are moderated by Atlantic ocean
  • Cantabrian mountains shield Rioja from the worst of Atlantic weather

Rioja Baja

  • here climate is less maritime
  • hotter summers and more severe winters
  • annual rainfall can be low, making drought a challenge for grape growers
25
Q

How do grapes contribute in Rioja red blends?

A
  • Temparnillo is the most planted grape and performs best in cooler sites. It is the main component in most blends giving red fruit flavours and a medium level of tannins.
  • Garnacha adds the body and alcohol to the blend. Grows best in the Rioja Baja
  • Mazuelo and Graciano are both less widely planted and provide a supporting role in blends.
26
Q

Traditional vs. Modern oak ageing in Rioja?

A

Traditionally, wines were aged for extended periods of time using American oak showing pronounced aromas of vanilla.
Many producers now use French and other European species of oak, giving wine subtle spicy aromas.

27
Q

The most planted white variety in Rioja?

A

Viura

28
Q

What were the changes to style of White Rioja?

A

The white wines used to be aged for extended periods in American oak and develop a deep golden colour and nutty flavours.
Nowadays, deliberately oxidised wines have fallen our of favour. And inn response to demand white wines are made in less oxidative style when producing barrel-aged white wines. Most are made with minimal contact with oxygen.

29
Q

What are the three regions withing the Upper Ebro?

A

Rioja, Navarra, Cariñena and Calatayud

30
Q

Navarra geographical and climate specifications?

Production focus?

A

Located to the north-east of Rioja, with similar but cooler and wetter climate.
Production is focused on the red wine production, with Temparnillo being most widely planted. Either blended with Rioja or international varieties, e.g. Cab.Sauv. or Merlot.
Rosé is made with Garnacha grapes, using early picking and protective methods in order to create refreshing, fruity wines.

31
Q

What wines are made in Cariñena and Calatayud?

A

Both regions have continental climate and low rainfall.
Garnacha is the main variety in both regions.
Inexpensive wines are made in fruity, early drinking style.
Higher-wuality wines tend to be made form old vine Garnacha and Carigñena.

32
Q

Region designated for Vino de la Terra production?

A

Castilla y León

33
Q

What are the two regions within Catalunya?

What makes it different from all the other Spanish administrative regions?

A

Penedès and Priorat.
Unlike any of the other administrative regions in Spain, Catalunya has a generic DO for still wines that covers the entire region. It came into existence largely to enable the blending of wines form various areas to provide the opportunity to create significant volumes of branded wine.

34
Q

Climate and grape growing of Penedès.

How do different climatic zones contribute to grape growing?

A

3 climatic zones:

  • the hottest is on the coastal plain where the climate is Mediterranean
  • inland, with slightly cooler climate in the valleys
  • further into the hills, where the vines are grown up to 800 metres above the sea level, the climate is moderate.

As a result, a wide variety of wine styles is made using a range of grapes.

35
Q

What geographical and climatic specifications of Priorat make it ideal for the old Garnacha and Cariñena (both are late ripening varieties)?

A
  • Priorat’s vineyards lie within the hills inland.
  • summers are long, hot and dry
  • annual rainfall is very low
36
Q

What is the name for the local soils in Priorat?

A

Llicorella. It consists of red slate with small particles of mica that sparkle in the sun. Hey help ripening by reflecting and retaining heat, and because of their depth, they are also able to retain sufficient water amount throughout the water season.

37
Q

What drives the price of Priorat wines?

A
  • vines that are bush trained and steep slopes, make mechanisation impossible.
  • the low nutrient soils and age of vines produce very small yields.
38
Q

Describe typical red wine from Priorat.

A

Made with old vine Garnacha and Cariñena. Priorat wine is usually deeply coloured with high tannins, med/high alcohol, concentrated black fruit, often accompanied by toasty aromas from new French oak.

39
Q

Regions within the Duero Valley.

A

Ribera del Duero
Toro
Rueda

40
Q

Geography and climate of Ribera del Duero

A

It is cut off from any Maritime influence by a ring of mountains.
Short, hot and dry summers.
Very cold winters.
The vineyards here are situated on the highest part of Meseta Central.
The altitudes ensure the region experiences cool night-time temperatures throughout the year.

41
Q

Ribera del Duero is DO only for which style of wine?

A

Ribera del Duero is DO only for red and rosé.

42
Q

Dominant red grape of Ribera del Duero?

A

Temparnillo.

Garnacha is also grown and mainly used for rosé.

43
Q

Toro climate and winemaking

A

Climate is similar to Ribera del Duero, wines are mainly made with Temparnillo. The Reds are full-bodied with intense fruit flavours flavours and high alcohol = a result of high daytime temperatures, sunny conditions and often low-yielding bush vines.
Garnacha is used in high proportion for Joven wines. Reservas and Gran Reservas are produces as well.
Rose and white wines are made in small quantities.

44
Q

What is the main difference of Rueda comparing to it’s two neighbouring sub-regions: Ribera del Duero and Toro?

A

Rueda is focused on white wine production. It’s continental climate, with cool summer nights, is ideal for its signature grape - Verdejo.
Sauvignon Blanc is also an important variety.
Both grapes can be produced and labelled as single varietal wines. When blended, at least 50% of the blend needs to consist of Verdejo.
Wine vary from simple and fruity to barrel-aged examples.

45
Q

Regions of the North West of Spain?

A

Rías Baixas (mostly white wines)

Bierzo (mostly red wines)

46
Q

Climate of the North West of Spain?

A

Cooler and wetter due to the Atlantic influence. As a result, it’s home to Spain’s best white wine.

47
Q

Famous white grape of Rías Baixas DO?
What are the threats?
Common vine training?
Common wine style?

A

Albariño.
Due to humidity of the region, there is a high risk of mildew and rot. For protection vines are trained on pergolas to encourage air circulation.
Most Albariño is made in a fresh unoaked style, which perfectly frames Albariño’s natural Hugh acidity and ripe stone fruit flavours.
Some wines are made with a touch of oak or lees stirring.

48
Q

What’s the name of DO within the North West region where red wines are predominately produced?

A

Bierzo.
More inland than Rías Baixas, with moderate climate and benefits from maritime influence.
Main grape: Mencía
Mencía produces elegant red wines with naturally high acidity and red fruit aromas.
Best wines made from old vine grapes.
Some producers make unoaked style to retain perfumed red notes but most use new oak to add toasty aromas

49
Q

DO located in the Levante region that is a source of value-for-money wines?

A

Valencia.

50
Q

Regions within the Levante in Spain?

A

Valencia

  • grows a large number of local and international grape varieties
  • Monastrell is the most planted

Jumilla and Yecla

  • hot and arid climates, perfect for Monastrell
  • the majority of wine is fruity and youthful in style
51
Q

Where almost half of Spain’s total wine production comes from?

A

Castilla-La Mancha

52
Q

Castilla-La Mancha consists of two regions:

A

La Mancha - the largest DO in Spain

Valdepeñas - lies to the south of La Mancha

53
Q

The most widely planted grape of La Mancha?

What the current situation with its production?

A

Airén, which is used to produce neutral, fresh white wines.
Plantings of this variety are now in decline as the authorities encouraged the producers to plant Temparnillo, locally known as Cencibel, and other international varieties, e.g. Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and even Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Investments in technology made La Mancha an excellent source of inexpensive well-made wines for export market.

54
Q

What trend has began within La Mancha region?

A

La Mancha was also where the trend for top-quality Lagos wines began and its still the home of the majority of estates that have been awarded the appellation Vinos de Pago.

55
Q

Vinos de Pago (VP)

A

This category 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.

56
Q

This region’s reputation exceeds its neighbour’s - La Mancha.

A

Valdepeñas

Same grapes as in La Mancha: Aíren and Temparnillo (Cencibel)

57
Q

What grape is grown in Bierzo region in Spain?

A

Mencía

58
Q

How many white varieties are approved to use in white Rioja?

A

8

59
Q

Which best describes a wine from Rías Baixas?

A

Refreshing, unoaked with high acidity, stone fruits

Wset 3 (15 decks)

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