Spain Breakdown Flashcards
Spain - Overview
Climate - The north west of the country is influenced by the Atlantic, and therefore has a maritime climate with high levels of rainfall throughout the year. Many of the vineyard areas in the north and north east are sheltered somewhat from the Atlantic by mountains.
The south and east of the country faces directly onto the Mediterranean, and vineyards in close proximity to the sea have a moderated climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters.
The meseta, at an altitude of 600–900m, covers a vast area over central Spain. The climate here is continental, with hot days and cool nights, though altitude can help moderate the heat.
Spain has the largest vineyard plantings with 969,000 ha under production. 3rd largest producer.
Low density planting is favourable in many regions due to the climate.
largest plantings are Airén and Tempranillo, then Garnacha, Bobal, Macabeo, and Monastrell.
Spain - Wine law Overview
Ageing levels - Crianza, Riserva, Gran Riserva
Spain follows a PDO and PGI system for its wines.
DO and DOCa/DOQ – Denominación de Origen (DO) is the Spanish term for PDO wines. There are 70 DOs in Spain. Rioja and Priorat are the only two wine regions that have the status of Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) / Denominació d’Origen Qualificada (DOQ) (the latter term being in Catalan).
VP – Vino de Pago (VP) is a category that applies to a small number of single estates with high reputations. The majority are in Castilla-La Mancha
VT – Vino de la Tierra (VT) is the term commonly used for PGI wines. There are around 40 VTs in Spain, the largest being Castilla.
Vino – This term is used for wines without a geographical indication.
The regulations of each denomination are generally set and controlled by their specific Consejo Regulador.
The main export markets in terms of volume are France and Germany
Galicia
Rias Baixas DO - 95% Albarino. Wet 1,700mm with a maritime climate. five non-contiguous subzones - Val do Salnes, O Rosal, Condado do Teo, Ribeira do Ullo, and Soutomaior. Gets warmer and you move inland. Pergola (parral) system used for training vines. Winemaking is generally protective to retain fresh fruit flavours
Ribeiro DO - mainly white wines from Treixadura grape as single variety or in blend.
Ribeira Sacra DO- River Mino and River Sil. Mainly continental climate but has maritime influences. Stony slopes, manual labor. Mencia is most important grape for red wines.
Valdeorras DO - most easterly of Galician DOs. Still gets plenty of rain 700-1000mm. Continental climate, platend to 300m. Godello grape most planted white, and a little bit of Mencia for black.
Monterrei DO - inland and sheltered from ocean influence by the Sierra de Larouca mountains, on border with Portugal. It has a continental climate with hot summers and relatively low rainfall. Riper style Mencia and Godello wines made.
Castilla y León
Climate - high-altitude plateau (the northern part of the meseta) with mountains to the north and south. As a result, many of its wine regions have continental climates, though with some maritime influences towards the west.
There are a number of internationally recognised DOs as well as the large Castilla y León VT.
Bierzo DO - Mencia grape 75% of plantings (early ripening, can quickly accumulate sugar). Must be 70% of red blend but can be blended with Alicante Bouschet. Best sites 500-800m on poor slate soil (large diurnal shift). Bush vines common on steep slopes. many old vines here (80% over 60 years old). The region has mountains or hills on three sides but opens to the west, allowing some maritime influence. lower but adequate rain. Inexpensive wine grown on the flat plain in the middle of the DO with fertile silty loam soils. Very small plots common and work done by hand.
Toro DO - River Duero runs through the region. Continental climate, around 750m elevation. Tinta de Toro is the main grape grown (thicker skins than Tempranillo). Red blends must be 75% Tinto de Toro, remainder can be Garnacha. low rain, no irrigation, bush vines at low densities 2,700 per hectare, sandy soil, no phylloxera. Many old vines 50-100 years old. Consejo permits a maximum alcohol of 15% abv for red wines. Inexpensive wines are carbonic. The number of wineries has increased dramatically over the last 20 years
Ribera del Duero DO - similar climate to Toro and Rueda to its west, though summers are slightly hotter, winters colder and the vineyards can be even higher in altitude (750–1,000 m). Lies in the upper valley of the River Duero. Frost is an issue. Tempranillo (called Tinto fino), minimum of 75% Tempranillo grape in blend, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha. relatively low rain <600mm, irrigation allowed. The number of vineyard plantings and new wineries has exploded since 1990s. Bush vine training common and many old vines. The ageing categories of Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva are commonly used in Ribera del Duero, with Crianza by far the most produced and Gran Reserva quite rare. The majority of wine is however labelled without an ageing category specified
Rueda DO - Rueda produces almost entirely white wines. The key grape variety is Verdejo. Sauvignon Blanc is the next most important grape variety and can either be blended with Verdejo or be made as a single varietal wine (must have 85% grape in blend). The bedrock in the region is limestone, with a sandy clay sub-layer and then a topsoil of stones. Planted to 700-800m altitude, cool nights for acid retention. most inexpensive wines are generally made in a protective way, with cool fermentation in stainless-steel vessels, and are bottled to be sold soon after. Mid-priced wines tend to have undergone a period of lees ageing (from a few months up to one year), often with regular lees stirring, which brings body and texture to the wine. The most expensive Rueda in a producer’s range, which is usually still mid-priced, is fermented and/or matured in oak, potentially bringing body and texture as well as aromatic complexity from toasty, smoky notes. Malolactic conversion is generally avoided in all styles to retain acidity. The vineyard area has seen exponential growth in the last twenty years. From 2000 to 2019, production volumes have almost quadrupled
Castilla y León VT - northern part of the meseta and is protected from any Atlantic influence to the north by mountains. It has a continental climate with summer temperatures moderated by altitude. The VT permits producers located outside the DO boundaries to produce wine with a geographical indication. It also allows producers who are located within any DO boundaries to make wines in styles or from grape varieties that are not permitted in their DO. Although the VT covers a large area, the actual vineyard plantings for VT wines is relatively low at almost 9,000 ha, whereas the DO vineyards within its boundaries make up over 63,000 ha
Rioja DOCa
To the north is the Sierra de Cantabria, protecting Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather, and to the south, the Sierra de la Demanda (part of the Sistema Ibérico) shelters the vineyards from weather from the warmer centre of the country. By comparison, the valley of the Ebro river, as it flows towards the Mediterranean broadly from the higher north-west to the lower south-east of the region, is relatively open and hence, while Rioja is far from the coast, its eastern side gains some Mediterranean influence.
Sub-zones: Rioja Alta (largest zone) 700m, Rioja Oriental 500-1000m, Rioja Alavesa (smallest zone, Basque country) 700m. Soils are mostly calcareous clay and ferrous clay.
90% black grapes, Tempranillo is the main grape (88% of plantings). Blending partners include Graciano (high tannin and high acid), Mazuelo (aka Carignan, high acid). Garnacha planted in warmer sites in Bassa. White grapes Viura (aka Macabeo, fairly neutral grape) is 70% of plantings. Tempranillo Blanco is 13% of plantings.
Tempranillo is well suited to the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, where it is generally able to ripen even in cooler, high altitude sites with cool clay soils. Garnacha, which is considered to be better suited to the warm, dry conditions of the Rioja Oriental.
new legislation published in 2018 allows producers who meet the new specifications to label their wines with any of the following: Vino de Zona (zone, 15 per cent of the grapes may come from
a vineyard outside the zone), Vino de Municipo (village, per cent of the grapes may come from a vineyard outside the municipality), Vinedo Singular. (vineyard, 100% of grapes from the vineyard)
The regulations of the Rioja Consejo not only specify minimum ageing to be labelled Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva but also that only 225 L barriques can be used.
In the 1990s, a handful of producers launched premium wines, labelling them without an ageing category, and so fitting into the category of ‘generic wine’ which does not specify any ageing requirements. They did not focus so much on concentration and extraction and underwent long ageing (often much longer than the minimum ageing requirements) in American oak, resulting in wines with aromas of dried fruit, mushroom, cured meats, vanilla and coconut. Called these wines “vinos de autor”
There are a handful of very large producers (the top 10 producers make up over 40 per cent of sales of the region) and yet around 80 per cent (287) of producers sell small volumes, constituting just 12 per cent of the sales.
Exports made up approximately 37 per cent of sales volumes in 2018 and the key export markets were the UK, Germany and the USA.
Navarra DO
The DO has five sub-regions. In the north of the DO, the hilly sub-regions of Baja Montaña, Valdizarbe and Tierra Estella run east to west. These are the cooler and wetter areas with influences from the Atlantic in the north west (though diffused somewhat by mountains to the north of Navarra) and from the Pyrenees in the north east. Ribera Alta in the middle of the region and Ribera Baja is in the south of the region are progressively warmer, drier and flatter.
Tempranillo most planted, is often made as a single varietal wine whereas Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are usually part of a red blend with Tempranillo and sometimes Garnacha. Chardonnay is the principal white grape. The ageing categories of Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva are widely used. A number of critics and producers feel that Garnacha is the grape with the highest quality potential in Navarra, especially from old bush vine plantings.
Significant amounts of Navarra DO Rose wines must be made by a short maceration on the skins; direct pressing is not permitted. produced from Garnacha, sometimes in a blend with Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the grapes sourced mainly from the cooler, more northerly sub-regions
Aragon
There are four principal wine regions in the autonomous community of Aragon. Cariñena, Campo de Borja and Calatayud are in the west of Aragon (warm continental climates with hot dry summers; maximum annual rainfall tends to be 450–500mm. Vines planted to high altitude on the plateau with slopes. A cold wind called the cierzo blows from the north, which further moderates temperatures and leads to slower ripening. All 3 regions make red wine, mostly from old vine garnacha on rocky soil) and Somontano is to the north-east (warm continental at foot of Pyrenees. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the most planted grapes. Unusual for a Spanish wine region, there are also significant plantings of Gewürztraminer.)
Catalunya
11 DOs and one DOQ. Catalunya also has its own scheme for exceptional wines from single estates. Providing strict specifications are met, including a restriction on yields and a minimum length of time for the wine to be established in the market, these wines may be labelled Vi de Finca.
Catalunya grows a higher proportion of international varieties (generally coming from nearby France) than many other areas of Spain
Catalunya DO applies to grapes grown anywhere in Catalunya. More freedom as to where grapes can be sourced and the range of international and local grape varieties that are permitted,
Penedès DO - wide assortment of grape varieties permitted, 80% white. Cava land! - Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada. 3 climate zones - Penedès Marítim, Penedès Central, Penedès Superior (500-800m in elevation). 500mm rain, irrigation allowed. soils are generally loamy with some calcareous components, and generally can store enough water through the ripening period. Known as a source of clean, fruity wines, both aromatic white wines and fruity, early- drinking reds. Wine producers are able to label their wines with a sub- zone providing certain specifications are met, for example, 100 per cent of the grapes used must come from vineyards in the sub-zone and have been grown organically. 30% wine exported.
Priorat DOQ - warm continental climate. The region is protected from cold winds by the Serra de Montsant in the north and from much Mediterranean influence by the Serra de Llaberia
to the south. River Siurana runs through the region. Range of altitudes 100-750m. Slopes = costers up to 60% gradient. very rugged topography.
soils in the region are varied, largely poor and stony but with some outcrops of clay. The more common slate-based soils, known locally as llicorella, are thin, rocky and lacking in nutrients, with characteristic particles of mica reflecting both light and heat back onto the vines.
Average yields can be as little as 5–6 hL/ha, although the maximum permitted yield is 39 hL/ha
Traditional local grape varieties of Garnacha and Cariñena still make up the majority of plantings. well suited to the hot days and dry conditions, with Cariñena particularly suited to harsh conditions and generally grown in the warmest sites. White varieties, predominantly Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo, make up just 6 per cent of plantings. bush vines common. The red wines are typically matured in oak, often French, usually for 1 to 2 years.
4 classifications based on where grapes are grown:
- *Vi de Vila** – Grapes must come from one of Priorat’s 12 sub-zones
- *Vi de Paratge** – This category corresponds to grapes grown within a single paratge or named site, equivalent to a lieu dit in France.
- *Vinya Classificada** – A wine from a single vineyard of particular merit within a Paratje, equivalent to a cru.
- *Gran Vinya Classificada** – A wine from a single vineyard of exceptional merit within a Paratje, equivalent to a grand cru.
Monsant DO - has a more Mediterranean influence here than in Priorat due to proximity to the coast (although the Serra de Llaberia does provide some shelter) and hence temperatures in both the summer and winter are not so extreme. Monsant’s vineyards are easier to work than those of Priorat. The topography is less extreme, particularly towards the south. Black grape varieties dominate with 94 per cent of plantings, with two-thirds of those being Garnacha and Cariñena. Unlike Priorat, Tempranillo is the next most planted grape, but there are also significant plantings of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Generally the wines, particularly from the south, tend to be ripe, fruity and full-bodied with high alcohol
Costers Del Segre DO - furthest north of the Catalunya DOs. seven not entirely contiguous sub-zones. Relatively far from the Mediterranean coast, it has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Average annual rainfall is low at 400 mm. cooler sites at the highest altitudes are used for producing grapes for Cava. A wide range of both international and local varieties are permitted including Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo (much of which is used in Cava production), Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca and Sauvignon Blanc for white wines, and Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for red and rosé wines. Single varietal wines can be found but blends, often using a combination of international and local varieties, are common. The wines are generally made in a fresh, fruity style for early drinking
Valencia and Murcia
Mediterranean or continental climates, all with hot summers and low rainfall. Given the climate, many vineyards are planted with bush vines at low density. A large proportion of inexpensive wine, often sold in bulk, comes from the area. However, there is an increasing number of producers making very good quality wines that can sell at premium prices.
Valencia DO - Largest DO in Valencia. 2 subzones. Alto Turia sub-zone is located in the southern foothills of the Sistema Ibérico mountain range in the upper valley of the River Turia. At altitudes of 700–1100 m, it is the coolest area and almost exclusively produces white wines, most notably from Moscatel de Alejandría and Merseguera. Valentino sub-zone is warmer than Alto Turia, but is cooled somewhat by sea breezes. This sub-zone grows a diverse range of local and international varieties, such as Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet), Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Monastrell for red and rosé wines, and Merseguera and Macabeo for white wines.
The vast majority of the wines are made by local cooperatives in a fruity style for immediate consumption.
Utiel-Requena DO - continental climate with hot summer days and very cold winters. The average altitude is relatively high at 750 m, and this promotes cooler summer nights, but also the risk of spring frost. Rainfall is low at around 450 mm. 70% plantings Bobal (mid- to late budding, very drought tolerant and, despite the hot climate, able to retain acidity. However, it can ripen unevenly and hence the lack of ripeness in some bunches, can mean its tannins can be a little grippy, even firm.) Made as a rose, or in a range of red styles from relatively light-bodied, medium-tannin styles, often made by semi-carbonic maceration, to concentrated wines, with medium (+) tannins.
Alicante DO - Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cold winters. The growing season is extremely dry with an average of 250 mm of rainfall per annum. The main centre of production is the zone of Vinalopó - and the main grape here is Monastrell. In the NE in Marina Alta with humid breezes and receives most rain (around 500 mm per annum), Moscatel de Alejandría is the key grape variety. Monastrell is also well suited to the hot, dry climate being late ripening, able to retain acidity and drought tolerant. It constitutes 75% of plantings in the DO. Vineyards tend to be planted at low density with bush vines. Red wines labelled Alicante DO must include at least 80 per cent of Monastrell in the blend.
Fondillón is a historic wine style, protected by the DO, and still made by a few producers. It is a medium-sweet red wine, with a maximum of 40 g/L residual sugar, made from late- harvested Monastrell; this is possible due to low rainfall, even in autumn. The minimum alcohol level is 16% abv and this should come solely from the grapes with no fortification allowed.
It must be matured for a minimum of 10 years in oak, often in traditional old oak vessels of 1,200 L. Wines can either be añada, the product of one year, or, more typically, made by asolerasystem, blending younger and older wines. The wines tend to beoxidised in character, showing flavours of dried fruit and nuts.
Jumilla DO - 250mm rain, 400-800m in elevation which provides cooling. Monastrell, making up around 80 per cent of plantings, is also well suited to low rainfall and extreme heat. soil, generally sand over a layer of limestone, which aids the retention of ground water, makes grape growing viable and many vineyards are not equipped with irrigation. Red wines from Monastrell are generally full-bodied with high alcohol and flavours of ripe blackberry and cherry fruit and spice from maturation in oak. High volumes of inexpensive wines form the majority of production in the DO.
Yelca - low 300mm rain. Altitude a cooling influence 500–900 m. soils are mixture of sand with limestone, helping to retain water. Monastrell the dominant variety planted. Making both bulk and bottled wines, one co-operative is responsible for around 60 per cent of the DO’s total output. Approximately 95 per cent of the Yelca’s production is exported.
Castilla La Mancha
located on southern part of Spain’s meseta (plateau) giving an extreme continental climate.
La Mancha DO - La Mancha is the largest DO in Spain, and largest PDO in Europe. relatively flat meseta at 500–700 m altitude. The climate is continental with extremely hot summers and maximum temperatures up to 45°C (113°F). Winters are very cold and can reach down to –20°C (–4°F). Rainfall is low at 300–400 mm. Limestone and chalk within the soils can help in the retention of water but drip irrigation is relatively common, with an estimated 40 per cent of vineyards being irrigated. The grape variety with the largest vineyard area is Airén. Tempranillo, here called Cencibel, is the most planted black grape variety. Cooperatives make up the majority of production. The wine produced is sold as bulk or bottled, with approximately 40 per cent exported.
Valdepenas DO - In the south of La Mancha. Mainly known as a source of red wines from Cencibel (Tempranillo)
Castilla-La Mancha is home to nine of Spain’s 18 Vinos de Pago (VP).
Castilla VT - This Vino de la Tierra covers a vast area of the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha. It encompasses both La Mancha DO and Valdepeñas DO as well as some others. A large range of local and international grapes are permitted, wider than allowed in the DOs.
Other Spanish regions
Basque Country - In the relatively sheltered conditions to the south are the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa. In the north, around Bilbao and San Sebastián, are the three DOs that make Txakoli. Moderate maritime climate and rainfall can be as high as 1600 mm here. The main white grape variety for dry wines is Hondarrabi Zuri
Sierra de Gredos is the mountain range to the west of Madrid. No DO, wines may be labelled as Vinos de Madrid DO, Mentrida DO (within Castilla-La Mancha), Cebreros DO or Castilla y León VT. The wines are mostly made from old vine Garnacha in a light style. Grown at altitudes of 600–1200 m. The area used to produce inexpensive, high volume wines until relatively recently. The most common white grape variety is Albillo Real, producing full-bodied wines with citrus and floral notes and medium to medium (+) acidity
The Islands - Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) are located around 60 miles (95 km) from the eastern coast of Spain. The key local grapes include Manto Negro (light coloured, high alcohol, red fruit flavours) and Callet (medium to medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol, red fruit flavours). Monastrell, Tempranillo and Malvasía are also commonly found. Canary Islands are located off the coast of Morocco, and around 500 km south of the island of Madeira. At a latitude of 28°N, there is a tropical influence on the climate, with hot and humid conditions in the growing season. Each island has its own DO and Tenerife, the largest island, has five. Here, the most common grapes are Listan Negro, Malvasía and Listan Blanco (Palomino), though a wide variety of Iberian grapes is grown and field blends are common.
