Spain Flashcards
Where is Valencia located?
On the eastern coast of Spain
What is the climate of Valencia?
Depending on the exposure to the coast, either Mediterranean or Continental with hot summers and low rainfall
How are most of the vineyards in Valencia planted?
Due to the climate, most vineyards have bush vines, with some newer vineyards having VSP
What is the name of the coolest sub-region in Valencia?
Alto Turia, which sits in the foothills of the Sistema Ibérico mountains in the northern section of the Valencia DO
What grapes are primarily grown in Alto Turia?
Moscatel de Alejandria and Merseguera
What is the name of the other two sub-regions in Valencia?
- Valentino
- Moscatel
- Clariano
Name the grapes grown in Valentino
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Garnacha Tintorera
- Tempranillo
- Monastrell
- Macabeo
- Merseguera
Moscatel focuses on the production of _______ and ______
Muscatel de Valencia (sweet wine) and vino de licor (unfermented grape must that has been fortified with grape spirit) made from Moscatel de Alejandria
Where is Utiel-Requena located in relation to Valencia
Just southwest of Valencia, with its western limit bordering La Mancha
What is the climate of Utiel-Requena?
Hot Continental with hot summers and cold winters
What is the average altitude in Utiel-Requena?
Around 750 meters, making for cool summer nights and raises the risk of spring frost
Name the most planted varietal in Utiel-Requena
Bobal, which accounts for 70% of the plantings
Where is Alicante located in relation to Valencia?
It is the most southern DO that is still apart of Valencia, located near the city of Alicante
What is the climate for Alicante?
Mediterranean with hot summers and cold winters
True or False,
Grapes from Alicante can be labeled under the Jumilla or Yelca DOs?
False, however wines from Jumilla or Yelca can be labeled under DO Alicante
What are the two zones of production in Alicante?
Vinalopo and Marina Alta
What is the main grape of Vinalopo?
Monastrell
What is the main grape of Marina Alta?
Moscatel de Alejandria, making dry and sweet wines
Monastrell accounts for what percentage of plantings in Alicante?
75%
How are the vineyards of Alicante set up?
Mainly planted to low density bush vines
Red Wines labeled under the Alicante DO must include ____ Monastrell
80%
What are some of the blending grapes used in Alicante?
- Bobal
- Alicante Bouschet
- Garnacha
What is Fondillón?
It is a historic wine protected by the Alicante DO.
It a medium-sweet red wine that is made from late harvest Monastrell, with a maximum 40g/l residual sugar.
Aside from being made from Monastrell and having r.s., what are some other requirements for Fondillón
- Minimum abv must be 16%
- must be matured at least 10 years in oak, often in 1,200L traditional old oak vessels
- Wines can either be añada (single vintage) or more commonly made via the solera system
Jumilla is a part of what larger region?
Murica
What is the main soil type in Jumilla?
Sand over a layer or limestone, which aids in the retention of ground water making grape growing more viable as most vineyards are not equipped with irrigation
What is the main grape in Jumilla?
Monastrell, which makes up more than 80% of the plantings
When did phylloxera come to Jumilla?
In 1989 (most of Europe was hit by phylloxera by the end of the 19th century)
What are the other black grape varietals approved for use in Jumilla?
- Alicante Bouschet
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cencibel (Tempranillo)
- Garnacha
- Merlot
- Syrah
- Petit Verdot
How many growers and wineries are there in Jumilla?
- 2,000 growers
- 40 Wineries
What is the main grape variety grown in Yelca?
Monastrell
How much of Yelca’s production is exported?
95%
What is the main river that runs through Rioja?
The Ebro River
Name the two mountain ranges that shelter Rioja from the Atlantic and the hotter climate of central Spain
- Sierra de Cantabria
- Sierra de la Demanda
Name the different zones of Rioja
- Rioja Alta
- Rioja Alavesa
- Rioja Oriental
What was the original name for Rioja Oriental?
Rioja Baja
Which Rioja zone is the largest and home to ferrous clay?
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa is the _______ zone and home to _____ clay
- Smallest
- Calcareous
Why did the name get changed from Rioja Baja to Rioja Oriental?
To get away form negative connotations associated with the word Baja, or bottom
What are the soils like in Rioja Oriental?
A mixture of the ferrous clay and calcareous clay
How has climate change affected Rioja?
- Black grape varieties are ripening better at higher elevations through out the region.
- The lower elevations in Rioja Oriental are struggling due to increasing temperatures and drought
List the black grapes used in Rioja
- Tempranillo
- Garnacha
- Mazuelo
- Maturana Tinta
- Graciano
- Cabernet Sauvignon (small amounts planted)
List the white grapes used in Rioja
- Viura (Macabeo)
- Tempranillo Blanc
- Malvasia
- Garnacha Blanca
- Verdejo
- Sauvignon Blanc
Does the Rioja Consejo specify what type of barrels must be used to age the wines in?
Yes, only 225L barriques can be used
What is still considered to be a longstanding and important component to wine making in Rioja?
Blending grapes grown all across the DOCa
What two producers are releasing very old, oxidative styles of white wine in Rioja?
- Lopez de Heredia
- Marques de Murrieta
What are the new labeling terms approved by the Rioja Consejo in 2018?
- Vino de Zona
- Vino de Municipio
- Viñedo Singular
What are the aging requirements for red wines in Rioja?
- Crianza: 24 months min; 12 in barrel min
- Reserva: 36 months min; 12 in barrel, 6 in bottle
- Gran Reserva: 60 months min; 24 in barrel, 24 in bottle
What are the aging requirements for white and rose wines in Rioja?
- Crianza: 18 months min; 6 in barrel
- Reserva: 24 months min; 6 in barrel
- Gran Reserva: 48 months min; 6 in barrel
What is the average vineyard size in Rioja?
50% of the vineyards are 1 ha or less, with 75% being less than 2 ha
What percentage of the total production in Rioja goes to co-operatives?
40%
How much of the total wine produced in exported? List the top 3 export markets
37%
- UK
- Germany
- USA
How do premium wines from Rioja compare price wise against the premium wines of Italy and France?
The Gran Reserva level wines are much more expensive compared to other Rioja wines, but are much less expensive than the premium wines of Italy and France
Name the 5 sub-regions of Navarra
- Baja Montana
- Valdizarbe
- Tierra Estella (has the most vino de pago)
- Ribera Alta
- Ribera Baja
What are the cooler and wetter sub-regions of Navarra
- Baja Montana
- Valdizarbe
- Tierra Estella
These sub-regions are influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees Mountains
What black grapes are grown in Navarra?
- Garnacha
- Tempranillo
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
What white grapes are grown in Navarra?
- Chardonnay
- Moscatel de Grano Menudo
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Malvasia
- Viura
What are the other names for the Basque Country?
- Euskadi
- Pais Vasco
What is the main grape of the Basque Country?
Hondarrabi Zuri
What is the main DO for the Basque country?
Txakoli DO
Name the 3 sub-regions that make up the Txakoli DO
- Txakoli de Getaria
- Txakoli de Bizkaia
- Txakoli de Alava
