Spain and Portugal Flashcards
How many climatic zones does Spain have? And where are they?
Three (North and NW Coast, East Coast, the Meseta Central)
What is the climate of North and NW Spain?
Moderate Maritime climate
What it the climate of the East Coast of Spain?
Warm Mediterannean climate
What is the biggest hazard in NW spain?
Rainfall from Atlantic weather systems
What is the climate of the Meseta Central in Spain?
Hot continental climate
What are Spain’s key black varietals?
Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache) and Monastrell (Mouvedre)
What are Spain’s four secondary black varietals?
Graciano, Carinena, Mazuelo and Mencia
Describe the tempranillo grape?
Thick-skinned grape with only medium acidity
Since the tempranillo only has medium acid, what is important in grape growing?
Although its thick-skin requires adequate warmth to ripen, hot climates without diurnal range will not create the acidity it needs for balance. So diurnal range is important to tempranillo OR areas that are moderated by sea/and or altitude
What is the tempranillo wine called that is made using semi-carbonic maceration?
Joven
What is the style of a Joven wine?
fresh strawberry flavors, popular easy drinking style
Where is a very important region in Spain for Garnacha?
Priorat
What are two characteristics of Garnacha( Grenache)
High in alcohol and matures early
What are some characteristics of the Monastrell (Mouvedre) grape?
Thick-skinned, drough tolerant, needs hot sunny conditions to ripen. Deep-colored, full-bodied, high tannin, high alcohol, low/med acidity and ripe blackberry fruit
What are the two main white grape varieties in Spain?
Verdejo and Albarino
What is the style of Spain’s white wines?
Most are fresh and fruity, most in stainless steel and harvested at night but some in Spain are using oak fermentation and using lees
What is special about Albarino?
thick-skinned and resistant to fungal disease
What is the most widely planted grape in Spain? And where is it mostly planted?
Airen planted in La Mancha
Where is most of the Airen grape used?
In the production of Brandy de Jerez
What are the PDO (DOP) wines of Spain?
DO and DOCa
What are the only two DOCa wines in Spain?
Rioja and Priorat
What is the Vinos de Pago (VP) in Spain?
small number of single estates, grow own grapes and make wine onsite
What are the four levels of Spanish wines?
Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva
What are the minimum ageing requirements and minimum barrel ageing requirements for each level of Spanish wine?
Joven (0,0) Crianza (24,6) Reserva (36,12) and Gran Reserva (60,18)
What are the six geographical regions of Spain?
Upper Ebro, Catalunya, Duero Valley, North West, Levante and Castilla -La Mancha
What geographical region is Rioja located in?
The Upper Ebro
What are the three sub-regions of Rioja? And what is their style?
Rioja Alavesa (lightest), Rioja Alta and Rioja Baja
Which of the three Rioja sub-regions is less maritime and hotter summers and more severe winters?
Rioja Baja