Spain Flashcards
What’s the modern story of Spanish wine-industry vs the old story?
Modern wineindustry is quality-focused, whereas the old-school style was very quantity-driven. As Spain became a part of EU in 1986 fundings came and EU-regulations.
After Franco, Quality grew.
What’s the general climate of Spain, and what moderates?
Warm climate.
Central spain is continental, and moderated by altitude
North-west spain is with maritime influence from the Atlantic.
South and east-spain is with maritime influence from the mediterranean.
The country is huge, and has the most ha under vine in the world; Why not the largest producer by volume?
Generally vines are planted with low density, due to the dry conditions, and therefore the yields are relatively low, and this makes Spain “only” the 3 largest producer of wine, in the world.
Bonus: over the last 5 years, the production has been 39 million hL per annum in average
How did the Phylloxera-plague affect spain?
Phylloxera affected most of the country, with a few exceptions; Toro and Rueda were generally uneffected, due to the sandy soils.
What are the principal varieties in Spain? Where are they primarly seen? And what are they used for?
Airen - used Inexpensive white wines and for brandy, mainly in Castilla, La Mancha
Tempranillo - All over spain for all styles
Bobal - Eastcoast, generally used for red and Rosé Garnacha Tinta - Predominately in central-north and north-east spain. Used for both red and rosé
Macabeo - for whites and sparkling, mainly seen in Catalunya; Called Viura in Rioja
Monestrell - Mourvedre, generally seen in the warmest of regions.
What are the national ageing requirements, for the following styles of red and white; Generic, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva?
Oak vessel must be of max capacity of 330 L
Red:
Generic: No requirement
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Crianza: min. 24 months of ageing, including min. 6 months in barrel
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Reserva: Min. 36 months of ageing, including min. 12 months in barrel
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Gran Reserva: 60 months of ageing, including min. 18 months in barrel
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White:
Generic: No requirement
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Crianza: 18 months of ageing, including 6 months in barrel
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Reserva: 24 months of ageing, including 6 months in barrel
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Gran Reserva: 48 months of ageing, including 6 months in barrel
What does the words Roble and Joven mean?
Oak and Young - typically seen on labels, to indicate the style.
What is the Spanish PDO called and what two regions stands out?
DO - Denominacion de Origen
Priorat and Rioja are the only two regions with the status of DOCa/q = Denominacion de Origen Calificada.
What does Vino de Pago emphasis?
Singly-estate category
Estates may only use their own grapes
All wine must be vinified and matured within the estate
What does Vino de la Tierra emphasis?
PGI wines
40 VT’s in spain, the largest is Castilla
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Riax Baixas
Where is Riax Baixas Do situated?
north-western Spain, runnin along the Minho-river from the Western coast and inlands.
How has the development been from the 90’s till todays?
Generally an extreme growth - Riax Baixas is a cooler region, that fits the profile of modern wine very well.
Growth from 1991-today; 3500 hl per year - 250.000 hl per year
How is the climate in Riax Baixas, and what moderates it? What are the hazards?
Maritime climate - moderation from Atlantic, that keeps the winters mild and the summers warm.
1700 mm of annual rainfall - Risk of fungal disease, and rain at harvest.
What’s the ratio between red and white varieties?
99% white varieties, 1% reds - very small production
What is the main-variety and it’s specs?
(95% of plantings) Albarinho - Thick skin, early to mid-ripening, semi-aromatic - well suited for the climate.
What are the 5 sub-zones called and how do they difer?
They differ by running from west to east, with climate changing from maritime, wet and cool to warmer and drier.
Val do Salnés; Right on coast-line, oldest subzone
Orosal; Situated along the river Minho - Close to the portugiese border; warmer region
Condado do Tea; Inland and warmer
Rebeira do Ulla; warmer, inexpensive and mid-priced wines are produced
Soutomaior: Smallest subzone.
What are the typical training and trellising-method and why?
Pergola is traditional, as it shades and aids air-circulation, and with the high amount of sun-hours in the summer and rain in spring and fall, this is important.
Larger training-systems are also seen, to aid mechanization for inexpensive wines.
What is the typical style of whites from the area, and how are they made? How does the high-quality wines differ?
Most winemaking is protective, to retain freshness and primary fruit and acidity; No malo, steel-maturation.
Some premium-examples are lees-aged and some even in oak; Some producers may macerate for a few hours to enhance the fruit-aromas.
How much is exported and what are the largest markets?
1/4 of sales are generally exported - USA and UK largest markets.
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Ribeiro DO
Briefly describe the characteristics of Ribeiro DO
East of Riax Baixas
Maritime, but warmer climate compared to Riax Baixas
Mainly whites produced from Treixadure
Premium wines typically fermented and aged in oak
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Ribera Sacra DO
Briefly describe the characteristics of Ribera Sacra DO
Situated on the shores of the Minho River
Climate is continental, moderated by the river - some site are maritime influenced
Stony slopes provide good drainage
Most important variety is Mencia
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Valdeorras DO
Briefly describe the characteristics of Valdeorras DO
most easterly placed DO in galicia 700-1000 mm rain annually Altitudes of 300 m Godello land - High reputation mencia is most planted red grape, but not close to the amount of Godello
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Monterrei DO
Briefly describe the characteristics of Monterrei DO
Situated south of Rebeira Sacra DO - Close to the border of Portugal
Continental climate, low rainfall
Bulk-wine is mainly produced
Mencia for quality - in modern times.
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DO’s in Castilla y León
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Bierzo DO
Who’s the farther of modern Bierzo? and why was he attracted to the region?
Alvaro Palacio - Due to the slate-soils, similar to the ones in Priorat, where he had success before.
Where is Bierzo located and what is the climate like?
Situtated north-west in Castilla y León
Continental Climate with some maritime influence. Mountains on three sides, where the fourth is open to maritime influence from the Atlantic.
What’s the principal variety and what are the requirements of red Bierzo DO?
Mencia, making up 75% of all plantings, and it must be 70% Mencia, max. 30% Alicante Bouschet
Bonus: Only 2% of plantings are Alicante Bouschet, and therefore most wines are 100% Mencia.
What is the principal white variety?
Godello
What is the topography like?
Vineyards on valley floors and silty loam, promoting high yields.
Best vineyards on slopes:
Soils as in Priorat; Shallow, poor, slate soil
Altitude of 500-850 m
How are the vines typically trellised?
For inexpensive wines they are trellised for high yields and lower tending, but for quality old bush-vines are found.
What was introduced in 2017, improving the base for quality in the area?
The Consejo Regulador recognized some areas for quality, resulting in villages and vineyards of significance now allowed on the label, representing a certain quality bound to restricted yields and certain varieties.
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Toro DO
Where is Toro situated, what’s the climate like and what moderates?
Situated west-central in Castilla y León, near the Duero River, that brings moderation. The Climate is continental, moderated by Duero and altitudes of 620-750 m. Low rainfall, due to the placement.
What is the typical trellising?
Due to the high temperatures and low rainfall, bush-wines are found, often very old, due to the fact that phylloxera did not hit the region, because of the sandy soils.
What is the principal variety?
Tinta de Toro - a bit like tempranillo, but thicker skins, more tannins and more suitable for the warm climate.
What are the requirement of Red Toro DO?
Min. 75% Tinta Toro
Max. 75% Garnacha
Max 15% alcohol permitted
What are the typical styles made?
High quantity; Carbonic maceration, to stay fresh and fruity
Low quantity; aged in oak, and build for the long run.
Why has the production risen in Toro since the mid 90’s? and why has Toro traditionally not been exported?
Since the prices in Ribera del Duero started rising in the mid-90’s, producers searched for new land, to replicate; Toro was close-by.
Due to the fact the Toro is quite isolated, there has never been exported much.
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Ribera del Duero
What was the first founded winery in the region?
Vega Secilia, 1864
Where is Ribera Del Duero situated?
Central-eastern part of Castilla y León, with the Duero River running through.
What is the climate like in Ribera del duero?
Similiar to Toro and Rueda; Continental, very warm summers, very cool winters, and low rainfall of 400-600 mm.
What’s the topography like?
Altitude of 750-1000 m, moderating the extreme heat.
What is the traditional trellising, and what is the modern?
Old bush-vines - newer vines are typically planted on trellis, as it is easier and faster to establish (But may also undermine the quality)
What is the principal variety?
Tinto Fino/ Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo)
What law was revised in 2019?
Before 2019, only red and Rosé was allowed, now whites can be made from the local variety Albillo Mayor.
What are the varietal requirements for red Ribera del Duero DO?
Min. 75% tempranillo (Many are 100%
Max. 25% Cab. S., Merlot, Malbev, Garnacha and/ or Albillo.
What are the Ageing requirements of Ribera Del Duero?
Crianza; min. 12 month of ageing, in cask - Can be released 2 years after harvest.
Reserva: 36 month of ageing, min. 12 months in cask, can be released 3 years after harvest.
Gran Reserva: min. 60 months of ageing, min. 24 months in cask, can be released 5 years after harvest.
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Rueda DO
What makes Rueda DO unique in Castilla Y León?
It’s a white wine region
Where is Rueda DO situated?
Just east of Toro, central in Castilly y León
What is the climate and topography like?
As in Toro; Continental, low rainfall, altitudes of 700-800 m, with a stony topsoil over sandy clay-sub-layer. limestone for bedrock.
What are the principal varieties?
Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc
What is the primary trellising-technique and why?
Due to the warm days, a trellising suited for machine-harvest is preferred, allowing producers to harvest during the night.
What is the typical style? high-quality vs high quantity
Inexpensive wines are typically made inert and restrained, high quality wines are typically aged on wood but malo is often avoided to retain acidity.
What is Rueda traditionally known for producing?
oxidative, fortified wines.
The production has quadropled from 2000-2019, why?
The demand of inexpensive, inert whites from the area has risen, and the production has become more effecient.
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Rioja DOq/a
Where is Rioja DOq/a situated?
North-eastern Spain