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WSET Level 3 > Spain > Flashcards

Spain Flashcards

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1
Q

What are Spains three climatic zones?

A

north and north-west coast, east coast from Catalunya in the north to Levante further south, and the Meseta Central, an large plateau in the center of Spain.

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2
Q

What is the climate of each of the zones?

A

North and northwest is moderate maritime dominated by Atlantic weather systems. Rainfall is high. East coast has a warm Mediterranean climate moderated by the sea or altitude. It becomes increasingly hot further south. The Meseta Central is cut off from the sea by mountains and has a hot Continental climate. Cold in winter and hot in summer with limited rainfall, with hot temperatures moderated by cool nights where altitude is high.

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3
Q

What are the two biggest challenges to grape growing in Spain?

A

Heat and lack of water.

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4
Q

What is the best way of managing heat and lack of water in Spain?

A

Low density, bush trained vineyards maximizing water to each vine and shading the fruit.

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5
Q

What is Spain’s premier black grape variety?

A

Tempranillo.

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6
Q

Why are hot climates a concern for Tempranillo?

A

Hot climates without a high diurnal temperature range could cause the wine to lack necessary acidity for balance. It is best in areas moderated by the sea or altitude.

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7
Q

What is a Joven Tempranillo?

A

A young wine frequently fermented with carbonic maceration producing fresh strawberry scented wine.

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8
Q

What is the Spanish name for Grenache?

A

Garnacha Tinta. High in alcohol and matures early. Used for rosados and in Priorat where low-yielding old vines enable the production of intense, full-bodied complex reds.

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9
Q

What is the Spanish name for Mouvedre?

A

Monastrell.

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10
Q

Describe Mouvedre.

A

A thick-skinned variety that is drought tolerant, but needs hot, sunny conditions to ripen. Grown in south-eastern DO’s where it produces very deeply colored, full-bodied wines with high levels of tannin and alcohol, low to medium acidity and flavors of ripe blackberry fruit.

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11
Q

Where is Graciano mainly grown?

A

Rioja.

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12
Q

What does Graciano add to a blend?

A

Concentrated black fruit aromas, acidity and tannins.

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13
Q

What is the Spanish name for Carignan?

A

Carinena (Mazuelo in Rioja).

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14
Q

What does Carinena add to a blend?

A

Acidity, tannin and color. It makes an ideal partner for Tempranillo and is also grown in Priorat where it is blended with Garnacha to add tannins.

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15
Q

Why is Mencia used?

A

Adds fresh fruit, medium to high acidity and a hint of herbaceousness. Grown in moderate climates.

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16
Q

Name Spain’s black varieties?

A

Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Monastrell, Graciano, Carinena, Mencia.

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17
Q

What is Spanish for POD?

A

DOP.

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18
Q

What is a DO?

A

Wines of a certain minimum quality, satisfying specifications covering grape varieties, viticulture and location.

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19
Q

What is a DOCa?

A

A more prestigious category of a DO. A DO of at least 10 years may apply.

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20
Q

Name the two DOCa’s.

A

Rioja and Priorat (Priorat uses the Catalan terminology of DOQ).

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21
Q

What is a Vinos de Pago (VP)?

A

Prestigious category applies to a small number of single estates with a high reputation. Estates may only use their grapes which must be vinified and matured on their estate.

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22
Q

What is the Spanish term for PGI wines?

A

Vino de la Tierra (VdIT).

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23
Q

What are the four aging categories for Spanish wine?

A

Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva.

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24
Q

What are the aging requirements for Spanish reds?

A

Total In barrels
Joven 0 0
Crianza 24 6
Reserva 36 12
Gran Reserva 60 18

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25
Q

What are the aging requirements for Spanish whites?

A

Total In barrels
Joven 0 0
Crianza 18 6
Reserva 24 6
Gran Reserva 48 6

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26
Q

Name Spain’s four main white varieties.

A

Verdejo, Albarino, Airen, Viura.

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27
Q

What are the international varieties Spain grows?

A

Cabernet, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

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28
Q

What are the characteristics of Verdejo?

A

Light-bodied, high acid, melon and peach flavor, similar to Sauvignon Blanc, with which it is often blended. Highly susceptible to oxidation, Was used to make sherry-like wines.

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29
Q

Where is Albarino grown?

A

North-west Spain (Rias Biaxas). Thick skinned and thus able to resist fungal diseases.

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30
Q

What are the characteristics of Albarino?

A

High acidity, citrus and stone fruit flavors.

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31
Q

What is the most widely planted variety in Spain?

A

Airen. Planted in La Mancha as it can cope with extreme heat and drought. Most of it is used in the production of Brandy de Jerez.

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32
Q

What are the white varieties planted in Catalunya and used for Cava production?

A

Parellada, Xarel-lo, and Macabeo. Macabeo is also used for still wine production.

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33
Q

Name the six DO’s (Denomination de Origen).

A

Upper Ebro, Catalunya, Duero Valley, North West, Levante, Castilla-La-Mancha.

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34
Q

What is the most extensive region designated for the production of Vino de la Tierra?

A

Castilla y Leon, towards the north of the Meseta Central.

35
Q

What mountain range shields Rioja from The Atlantic Ocean?

A

Cantabrian.

36
Q

Name the three different subregions of Rioja?

A

Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja.

37
Q

Describe a Rioja from Alavesa.

A

Lightest of Rioja with the most finesse.

38
Q

What characteristics do Rioja Alavesa and Alta share?

A

Planted at altitude (500-800 meters). Climates moderated by The Atlantic and shielded by the Cantabrian Mountains.

39
Q

Describe Rioja Baja.

A

Less maritime, hotter summers and more severe winters. Rainfall can be low, making drought an issue.

40
Q

What is the main variety used in Rioja?

A

Tempranillo (does best in the cooler western regions)

41
Q

What does Tempranillo contribute to a blend?

A

Red fruit flavors and medium tannins.

42
Q

What does Garnacha add to a Tempranillo blend?

A

Body and alcohol. Garnacha grows best in Rioja Baja.

43
Q

What two other black varieties contribute to a Tempranillo blend?

A

Mazuelo and Graciano.

44
Q

Describe different ways in which a Rioja may be made.

A

Rioja for early drinking may undergo semi-carbonic maceration to produce vibrant red fruit flavors and low tannins. Rioja for long term is generally destemed and crushed and undergoes traditional fermentation. Vigerous cap management and extended maceration may be used to produce heavily extracted wines deep in color and full of fruit flavors. Traditionally American oak producing aromas of vanilla; now many using European oak for more subtle spicy aromas.

45
Q

Of the eight white varieties approved for white Rioja, what variety is the most widely planted?

A

Viura.

46
Q

Describe techniques used to make a white Rioja?

A

Traditionally aged for extended periods in American oak and developed a deep golden color and nutty flavors. More modern Riojas are made with minimal oxygen contact to maximize fruit flavor. Barrel fermented whites are being used but in a less oxidative style.

47
Q

The Navarra DO stretches from the northeastern borders of Rioja to the foothills of what mountain range?

A

Pyrenees.

48
Q

What is the climate of Navarra?

A

Similar to Rioja, except cooler and wetter near the mountains.

49
Q

What wines do Navarra produce?

A

Production focused on red wine, particularly Tempranillo blended with other Rioja varieties to make a wine similar in style; increasingly blended with cab and Merlot. Produces a range from Joven to Gren Reservas.

50
Q

What variety is used in Navarra for rose production and what is its style?

A

Garnacha. Picked earlier when acid levels are high and sugar lower. Creates a refreshing, fruity wine with medium alcohol.

51
Q

What white grapes are used for white wine production in Navarra?

A

Viura, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

52
Q

What are the geographical regions in the Upper Ebro?

A

Rioja, Navarra, Carinena and Calatayud.

53
Q

What variety of grape is mainly grown in both Carinena and Calatayud?

A

Garnacha (NOT Carinena).

54
Q

What is the climate of both Carinena and Calatayud?

A

Warm continental with low rainfall.

55
Q

Carinena and Calatayud make inexpensive wines for fruity, early drinking. They also make higher quality wines made from what two varieties?

A

Garnacha and Carinena.

56
Q

What are the three main regions in the Duero Valley?

A

Ribera del Duero, Toro, Rueda.

57
Q

Where is Ribera del Duero located and describe it’s climate.

A

Highest part of Meseta Central. Cut off from maritime influence by a ring of mountains. Short, hot and dry summers, and very cold winters. The altitude insures cool night time temperatures which helps retain acidity and fresh fruit flavors.

58
Q

What types of wine are made in Ribera del Duero?

A

Red and rose only.

59
Q

What is the dominant grape in Ribera del Duero?

A

Tempranillo. Generally the only variety in the best reds which are dark in color with high tannins. Cab, Malbec and Merlot are allowed but seldom used.

60
Q

What variety is used for rose in Ribera del Duero?

A

Garanacha.

61
Q

How do winemakers in Ribera del Duero choose to accentuate the concentrated fruit flavors and tannins?

A

Long macerations and aging for a relatively short time in new oak, increasingly French instead of American.

62
Q

What is the predominate grape in the Toro DO?

A

Tempranillo.

63
Q

What contributes to the intense fruit flavors, full body, and high alcohol in a Toro red?

A

High daytime temperatures, sunny conditions and low-yielding bush vines.

64
Q

How do Ruedas wines differ from its neighbors, Ribera del Duero and Toro?

A

Focus is on white wine production.

65
Q

What is the climate of Rueda?

A

Cool continental with cool nights.

66
Q

What varieties are grown in Rueda?

A

Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc. They can both be sold as single varietal wines. When blended, they must contain at least 50% Verdejo.

67
Q

Name two DO’s in Northwest Spain.

A

Rias Baixas and Bierzo.

68
Q

What is the climate of Rias Baixas?

A

Moderate, damp, cooler, wetter, humid.

69
Q

What variety is Rias Baixas DO known for?

A

Albarino.

70
Q

What is a common problem with wines from this area and how do growers deal with it?

A

Mildew and rot. Vines are trained on Pergolas to encourage air circulation.

71
Q

Describe the characteristics of Albarino.

A

High acidity and ripe, stone fruit flavors. Made in a refreshing unoaked style.

72
Q

What is the climate and geography of Bierzo DO?

A

Mountainous, moderate climate that benefits from a cooling maritime influence.

73
Q

What is the key grape variety in Bierzo?

A

Mencia.

74
Q

What are the characteristics of Mencia?

A

It produces elegant reds with naturally high acidity and red fruit aromas. The best come from old vines grown on steep stony slopes.

75
Q

Name the main areas in the Levante.

A

Valencia, Jumilla and Yecla.

76
Q

What is Valencia known for?

A

Value for money wines.

77
Q

What is the most planted variety in Valencia?

A

Monastrell.

78
Q

What white varieties are utilized in Valencia?

A

Merseguera, a local variety, although Muscat of Alexandria is used to produce Moscatel de Valencia, a fortified sweet wine.

79
Q

What is the significance of Castilla-La-Mancha?

A

Almost half Spains total wine production comes from this DO south of Madrid in the Meseta Central.

80
Q

What is the largest DO in Spain?

A

La Mancha.

81
Q

What is the most widely planted grape variety in La Mancha?

A

Airen, producing neutral, fresh white wines. It is on the decline as Tempranillo (known locally as Cencibel) is being encouraged along with other international grape varieties.

82
Q

What DO has the majority of the Vinos de Pago estates?

A

La Mancha.

83
Q

Distinguish Valdepenas from La Mancha.

A

Valdepenas DO lies directly to the south of La Mancha, has an identical climate, but has a reputation for quality. Although Arien is the most widely planted variety, Tempranillo (Cencibel) is the main red variety. The wines range from fruity to more concentrated and oak matured.

WSET Level 3 (28 decks)

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