Spain and Portugal Flashcards
In which Denominacion de Origen will you find wines made from Albariño grape?
Rias Biaxas DO
What are the two DOC regions of Spain
Rioja and Cava
Priorat DOQ (Denominacio d’Origen Qualificada) produces which of the following types of wine
Powerful, dry red wines
What aspects of the topography affects the climate of Ribera Del Duero?
Warm to hot summer. Strong diurnal difference. High elevation of Meseta.
The main white grape of Rueda is…
Verdejo
What does “Gran Reserva” on a label of Rioja refer to?
Aging requires for time in barrel and bottle
In which DOP (denominacion de Origen protegida) will you find wines made from Alvarinho, Trajadura, and Loureira grapes?
Vinho Verde
The Douro DOP shares the same appellation boundaries as which fortified wine?
Sherry
How would you describe white wines from Vinho Verde DOP?
Youthful, high acid, low alcohol, effervescent
Baixo Corgo is a sub-zone of which wine region?
Douro DOP
The best vineyards are planted in what kind of soil in the Douro DOP?
Schist (more dense than slate, firm but flaky rock. Retains enough heat to produce big powerful wines rich in minerality and and flavor)
What are characteristics of red wines from Duoro DOP?
Rich, intense, full-bodied
What grapes are in Spanish cava?
Cava DO (Catalonia)
Classic Method
Xarel-Io
Parellada
Macabeo
Spain produces more sparkling wine than any other countryside
What are 5 most important white grapes in Spain?
Albariño
Airén
Macabeo
Palomino
Verdejo
Characteristics of Albariño
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
Airén characteristcis
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
Macabeo characteristics
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
Palomino characteristics
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
Verdejo characteristics
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
5 most important red grape varieties in Spain
Cariñena
Garnacha
Mencía
Monastrell
Tempranillo
Characteristics of Cariñena
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
Garnacha characteristics
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
Mencía characteristics
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
Monastrell characteristics
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
Tempranillo characteristics
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
Crianza Aging Requirements
White/Rose
Min Age - 18months
Min Barrel Age - 6months
Red
Min Age - 2 years
Min barrel Age - 6 months
Reserva Aging Requirements
White / Rose
Min Age - 2 years
Min Barrel Age - 6 months
Red
Min Age - 3 years
Min barrel Age - 12 months
Gran Reserva Aging Requirements
White / Rose
Min Age - 4 years
Min Barrel Age - 6 months
Red
Min Age - 5 years
Min Barrel Age - 18 months
Noble designation
18 months in cask or bottle
Añejo designation
24 months in cask or bottle
viejo designation
36 months aging, demonstrating marked oxidative character
