Spain and Portugal Flashcards

1
Q

In which Denominacion de Origen will you find wines made from Albariño grape?

A

Rias Biaxas DO

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2
Q

What are the two DOC regions of Spain

A

Rioja and Cava

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3
Q

Priorat DOQ (Denominacio d’Origen Qualificada) produces which of the following types of wine

A

Powerful, dry red wines

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4
Q

What aspects of the topography affects the climate of Ribera Del Duero?

A

Warm to hot summer. Strong diurnal difference. High elevation of Meseta.

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5
Q

The main white grape of Rueda is…

A

Verdejo

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6
Q

What does “Gran Reserva” on a label of Rioja refer to?

A

Aging requires for time in barrel and bottle

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7
Q

In which DOP (denominacion de Origen protegida) will you find wines made from Alvarinho, Trajadura, and Loureira grapes?

A

Vinho Verde

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8
Q

The Douro DOP shares the same appellation boundaries as which fortified wine?

A

Sherry

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9
Q

How would you describe white wines from Vinho Verde DOP?

A

Youthful, high acid, low alcohol, effervescent

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10
Q

Baixo Corgo is a sub-zone of which wine region?

A

Douro DOP

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11
Q

The best vineyards are planted in what kind of soil in the Douro DOP?

A

Schist (more dense than slate, firm but flaky rock. Retains enough heat to produce big powerful wines rich in minerality and and flavor)

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12
Q

What are characteristics of red wines from Duoro DOP?

A

Rich, intense, full-bodied

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13
Q

What grapes are in Spanish cava?

A

Cava DO (Catalonia)
Classic Method
Xarel-Io
Parellada
Macabeo

Spain produces more sparkling wine than any other countryside

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14
Q

What are 5 most important white grapes in Spain?

A

Albariño
Airén
Macabeo
Palomino
Verdejo

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15
Q

Characteristics of Albariño

A

Albariño

Indigenous to northwestern Iberia, Albariño is most famously grown in Galicia’s Rías Baixas, as well as across the Portuguese border where it can contribute to Vinho Verde.

Descriptors: Ripe citrus, peach, white and yellow flowers

Structure: Elevated acidity, moderate alcohol, moderate body, phenolic bitterness

Synonyms: Galego, Alvarinho

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16
Q

Airén characteristcis

A

Despite its lack of renown, Airén is the world’s most planted white wine grape variety and the fourth most planted grape overall. It constitutes roughly one-quarter of Spain’s vineyard area, primarily in Castilla-La Mancha, and is often distilled into brandy.

Descriptors: Neutral, citrus, almond

Structure: Moderate acidity, moderate alcohol, light body

17
Q

Macabeo characteristics

A

Macabeo

Macabeo is likely indigenous to Catalonia and produces a diversity of wines across Spain. In Catalonia, Macabeo is often blended with Xarel·lo and Parellada to produce Cava, but it can also be bottled as a still wine. Macabeo also serves as the foundation for several of Rioja’s most prestigious oak-aged white wines.

Descriptors: Citrus, stone fruit, almond, white flowers

Structure: Diminished acidity, moderate alcohol, moderate body

Synonyms: Viura, Macabeu

18
Q

Palomino characteristics

A

Palomino is the most important grape in Sherry and the backbone of most wines from the region. On its own, it produces neutral table wines.

Descriptors: Neutral

Structure: Diminished acidity, low alcohol, light body

Synonym: Listán Blanco

19
Q

Verdejo characteristics

A

Verdejo is the most commonly consumed white wine among Spanish consumers and achieves its apex of expression in Castilla y León, specifically Rueda. It can be bottled as a monovarietal wine but is also often blended with Sauvignon Blanc.

Historically, Verdejo was also used to create oxidative, Sherry-like fortified wines. Verdejo should not be confused with Verdelho, the noble grape of Madeira.

Descriptors: Citrus, white flowers, herbal, fennel

Structure: Elevated acidity, moderate alcohol, light to moderate body

20
Q

5 most important red grape varieties in Spain

A

Cariñena
Garnacha
Mencía
Monastrell
Tempranillo

21
Q

Characteristics of Cariñena

A

Spain is home to many old Cariñena vines, and the grape is believed to be indigenous to Aragon. Confusingly, the appellation of Cariñena is more heavily planted to Garnacha today. Cariñena is an important variety in Priorat, where it is called Carinyena or Samsó, and some wines from the appellation may choose to use Cariñena as the dominant grape. Cariñena also serves as a blending variety in Rioja, where it is more commonly known as Mazuelo.

Descriptors: Cherry, currant, licorice

Structure: Elevated acidity, elevated alcohol, elevated tannin, full body

Synonyms: Carignan, Mazuelo, Mazuela, Carinyena, Samsó

22
Q

Garnacha characteristics

A

While most famously cultivated in France’s Southern Rhône Valley, where it is called Grenache, Garnacha originates in the province of Aragon. Winemakers in Aragon and the neighboring Catalonia are rediscovering old-vine Garnacha vineyards as one of Spain’s greatest viticultural treasures. Spain’s most coveted Garnacha wines come from Priorat, but a number of appellations exist for the grape, including Montsant, Terra Alta, Campo de Borja, Calatayud, Somontano, and Cariñena.

Garnacha is also an important blending variety in Rioja, particularly in the area of Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja). In addition to its red version, Garnacha also comes in white (blanca) and grey/pink (roja) color mutations.

Descriptors: Jammy, strawberry, spicy, dried flowers

Structure: Diminished acidity, elevated alcohol, moderate tannin, moderate to full body

Synonyms: Grenache, Garnacha Tinta, Garnatxa, Lledoner, Tinto Aragonés

23
Q

Mencía characteristics

A

While once confused for Cabernet Franc, Mencía is a light-bodied and lightly pigmented red wine of increasing popularity. The grape is cultivated in the northwest of Spain, most famously in the DOs of Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra.

Descriptors: Plum, black cherry, almond, red flowers, herbal, soil

Structure: Moderate acidity, moderate tannin, elevated alcohol, light body

24
Q

Monastrell characteristics

A

Known in France as Mourvèdre, Monastrell is indigenous to Spain and is frequently cultivated in the provinces of Murcia and Valencia. It is the dominant grape in the celebrated wines of Jumilla, Alicante, and Yecla. Monastrell’s name likely derives from the Latin word for “monastery.”

Descriptors: Dark fruit, spicy, purple flowers, earthy

Structure: Elevated acidity, elevated alcohol, elevated tannin, full body

Synonyms: Mourvèdre, Mataro

25
Q

Tempranillo characteristics

A

Tempranillo is Spain’s most celebrated grape and the world’s third most planted variety overall. It forms the foundation of the prestigious red wines of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, as well as a smattering of other appellations across the country. The name derives from temprano, meaning “early,” referencing its early ripening in comparison to its common blending partners.

Depending on where it is grown, Tempranillo can yield wines ranging from medium to full bodied. Many wines have a noteworthy signature of American oak, which can impart notes of coconut and dill. While commonly complemented by accessory grapes, Tempranillo-based wines are some of the longest lived in Spain, thanks to their tannic structure.

Descriptors: Red fruit, dusty earth, spicy, leather, tobacco

Structure: Moderate acidity, moderate alcohol, elevated tannin, moderate body

Synonyms: Cencibel, Tinto Fino, Tinto del País, Tinta de Toro, Ull de Llebre, Tinta Roriz

26
Q

Crianza Aging Requirements

A

White/Rose
Min Age - 18months
Min Barrel Age - 6months

Red
Min Age - 2 years
Min barrel Age - 6 months

27
Q

Reserva Aging Requirements

A

White / Rose
Min Age - 2 years
Min Barrel Age - 6 months

Red
Min Age - 3 years
Min barrel Age - 12 months

28
Q

Gran Reserva Aging Requirements

A

White / Rose
Min Age - 4 years
Min Barrel Age - 6 months

Red
Min Age - 5 years
Min Barrel Age - 18 months

29
Q

Noble designation

A

18 months in cask or bottle

30
Q

Añejo designation

A

24 months in cask or bottle

31
Q

viejo designation

A

36 months aging, demonstrating marked oxidative character

32
Q
A