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Master Sommelier Theory 2025 > Spain: Catalonia > Flashcards

Spain: Catalonia Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

What is the soil type of Priorat?

A

rocky schist soils

Llicorella- Catalan name for slate, it is a mix of decomposed black slate, quartzite, and schistose mica. nutrient poor, well draining.

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2
Q

Villages of Priorat?

A

labeled Vi de Vila “village wine” - inspired by Burgundy

important: Gratallops

also:
Vila de Poboleda
Vila de Porrera
Vila de Bellmunt
Vila de Escaladei
Vila de El Lloar
Vila de La Morera del Montsant
Vila de Torroja
Vila de la Vilella Alta
Vila de la Vilella Baixa
Masos de Falset
Solones de El Molar.

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3
Q

List the original Clos wines of Priorat

A

Rene Barbier’s Clos Mogador

Alcaro Palacios’ Clos Dofi (now Finca Dofi)

Dapnhe Glorian’ Clos Erasmus

Mariona Jarque’s Clos de l’Obac

Jose Luis Perez’s Clos Martinet

they started working together in the 1970s to make quality minded Priorat. First vintage 1989. After the 1991 vintage they moved into their own facilities.

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4
Q

What DO surrounds Priorat? Important grapes?

A

Montsant DO

Garnacha, Cariñena

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5
Q

Tarragona DO- wine styles made?

A

(on Mediterranean coast of Northern Spain)

traditionally fortified rancio or mistela

now much more white grapes for cava

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6
Q

List the DOs of Catalonia

A

Alella
Conca de Barbera
Costers del Segre
Emporda
Montsant
Penedes
Pla de Bages
Priorat
Tarragona
Terra Alta

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7
Q

What are the altitude zones of Penedes DO?

A

Alt Penedes - 500-850 m, also called Penedes Superior (closer to Montserrat Mtns)

Medio-Penedes- 250-500 m, also called Penedès Central, or Mitja- (middle) Penedès

Baix Penedes- up to 250 m, also called Penedes Maritime (closest to Mediterranean)

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8
Q

Important white grapes Penedes

A

Parellada
Xarel-lo
Macabeo
Malvasia
Chradonnay

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9
Q

Important red grapes Penedes

A

Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo)
Garnacha / Garnatxa
Monastrell (Mourvedre)

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10
Q

Where is the birthplace of Cava?

A

Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, in the Alt Penedes, Catalonia

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11
Q

List the authorized and recommended grapes for Cava

A

recommended: Macabeu, Xarel-lo, Parellada

Also: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Garnacha Tinta, Monastrell, Trepat, Malvasia (Subirat)

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12
Q

Cava lees aging requirements

A

cava / cava de guarda: 9 months

cava de guarda superior:
- reserva: 18 months (as of 21 vintage, was 15 months)
- gran reserva: 30 months - brut, extra brut, brut nature only

cava de paraje calificado: 36 months

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13
Q

What does Cava roughly translate to?

A

underground cellar (cave)

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14
Q

What is a girasol?

A

Another name for a gyropallete, invented in Catalonia in 1968

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15
Q

How long does a gyropallette take to perform remuage as opposed to hand riddling?

A

can be done in 3 days, as oppsed to 6 weeks by hand

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16
Q

What are the requirements for Cava de Paraje Calificado?

A

category introduced in 2014 in response to quality producers looking for distinction from bulk producers

must originate from a single parcel whose vines are at least 10 years old.
must be vintage dated,
unacidified, and
aged in bottle for a minimum 36 months before being disgorged.

They must also adhere to stricter yields, hand-harvesting, and quality control. The Cava de Paraje category applies exclusively to brut, extra brut, and brut nature wines.

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17
Q

What is Corpinnat?

A

“the heart of Penedes” - producers association, not bottled under Cava DO

Corpinnat wines adhere to more stringent regulations than those of Cava, vinified from hand-harvested, organically grown grapes, of which at least 90% are indigenous, within a delineated zone. Minimum lees aging is 18 months prior to disgorgement. Must own vineyards or have long term contact for purchase

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18
Q

Name 3 producers bottling Corpinnat

A

founders:
1. Gramona
2. Sabate i Coca
3. Torello
4. Recaredo
5. Llopart
6. Nadal

joined later:
7. Can Feixes
8. Julia Bernet
9. Mas Candi
10. Can Descegut
11. Pardas

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19
Q

Which grapes perform best in Baix Penedes?

A

Monastrell, Garnacha, Carignan
Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada

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20
Q

Which grapes perform best in Middle Penedes?

A

Cava grapes + Tempranillo + Bordeaux varieties

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21
Q

Compare Alt Penedes to the rest of Penedes in terms of climate, grapes grown

A

increased precipitation and a more dramatic diurnal swing, Penedès Superior grows an assortment of cooler-climate international grapes, including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Gewürztramine

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22
Q

Why might Macabeo make up a large proportion of the Cava blend?

A

Macabeo vines bud relatively late in the spring, ensuring that their flowers and grapes are safe from early frosts - insurance policy!

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23
Q

What is subirat?

A

a sometimes used synonym for Malvasia, in Penedes

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24
Q

What are the Cava sweetness levels?

A

Brut Nature: 0-3
Brut: 0-12 grams per liter of residual sugar
Extra Seco (Extra Dry): 12-17
Seco (also referred to as Dry): 17-32
Semi-Seco (Semi-Dry): 32-50
Dulce (Sweet): 50+

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25
Q

What were the 2020 changes to Cava regulations?

A

Minimum time in cask for Reserva wine will increase from 15 to 18 months
Maximum yield will be lowered from 12 to 10 metric tonnes per hectare (5.35 to 4.46 US tons per acre)
All bottlings will be vintage or multi vintage dated
All Cava Reservas and Gran Reservas will have to be organically farmed from vines of at least ten years of age

all reserva and gran reserva wines must state the origin of the fruit on the label

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26
Q

In which spanish Autonomia is Cava made?

A

Aragón, Euskadi (Basque Country), Catalunya, Extremadura, La Rioja, Navarra, València

NOT in: Asturias, Balearic Islands. Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castille & Leon, Castilla la Mancha, Galicia, Madrid, Murcia

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27
Q

What are the permitted vine training methods for Cava?

A

En Vas (Bush)
En Espatllera (Trellis): Cordón (spur - simple or double) or Vara i Polze ( cane? simple or double)

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28
Q

What are the requirements for Cava de Guara Superior?

A

(Reserva and Gran Reserva styles) Vines must be at least 10 years old.
Vineyards must be farmed organically.
Max yield: 10 tons/ha
Must be vintage dated
Wine should be traceable from vine to bottle

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29
Q

What is a Marchamo?

A

“circular disk on top of Cava foils- color coded to indicate quality level:
Green: Cava de Guarda
Silver: Reserva
Gold: Gran Reseve
Antique Gold: Paraje Calificado”

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30
Q

Styles of wine made in Priorat DOQ?

A

Blanco / Rosado / Tinto
Vino Rancio / Vi Ranci: Oxidized wine
Mistela (Negre and Blanc)
Vino Dulce Natural / Vi Dolç Natural: Vi de Licor, min. must weight of 320 g/l

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31
Q

What are the authorized white grapes for Priorat?

A

Garnatxa Blanca,
Macabeu,
Xarel·lo,
Pedro Ximénez,
Chenin Blanc,
Moscatell d’Alexandria,
Moscatell de Gra Petit,
Picapoll, Viognier

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32
Q

What are the authorized and recommended red grapes for Priorat?

A

Recommended: Garnatxa Negre (Grenache), Carinyena/Samsó (Carignan)

Authorized: Garnatxa Peluda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Picapoll Negre (Puntxó Fort)

33
Q

What is the term for single vineyard Priorat?

A

Vi de Finca

NOT a quality designation

34
Q

What is Vi de Paratge?

A

Priorat from a single zone - like a lieu dit

35
Q

What is Vi de Vinya Classificada?

A

Quality vineyard designation given to single parcel wines in Priorat (premier cru)

36
Q

What is Vi de Gran Vinya Classificada?

A

TOP Quality vineyard designation given to single parcel wines in Priorat (grand cru)

37
Q

When did Priorat become a DO? DOQ? DOCa?

A

1954 DO, 2000 DOQ, 2009 DOCa

38
Q

Describe the geography of Priorat- mountains? rivers?

A

the region is bordered to its northwest by the taller Serra de Montsant, protecting this inland Mediterranean area from fierce winds.

Surrounded by the mountain ranges: Montsant, Prades, Llabéria

The appellation experiences wide diurnal swings and low annual rainfall (19 in/ 50 cm)

The Siurana River cuts diagonally through the landscape before meeting the Ebro, though it mostly runs dry

39
Q

How old must Priorat vines be to be labelled Velles Vinyes?

A

75 years old

40
Q

List 3 producers of Cava de Paraje Calificado

A

Faustino
Codorniu
Segura Viudas
Cava Mestres
Alta Alella

41
Q

List 5 producers of Priorat

A

Alvaro Palacios (L’Ermite, Finca Dofi)
Clos i Terasses (Clos Erasmus)
Cellars de Scala Dei
Clos Mogador
Cellar Vall Llach
Mas Doix

42
Q

What are the grand crus / grand vinya classificada of priorat?

A

“Mas de la Rosa” by Vall Llach, “1902, Tossal d’en Bou” by Mas Doix and “L’Ermita” by Álvaro Palacios.

43
Q

Which DO is across the French border from Rousillon (Banyuls / Collioure)?

A

Emporda DO, in Catalonia. vi de licor, from Garnacha (Blanca, Negra, or Roja) or Moscatel, resembles the vins doux naturels of Banyuls and Rivesaltes

44
Q

What are the two subzones of Tarragona DO? How are they different?

A

Tarragona Campo: closer to the sea, warmer, around 200 m elevation

Ribera d’Ebre- sheltered by Serra de Montalt, greater temperature variations. On banks of Ebro.

45
Q

What is vim blanc?

A

Vi de Licor made from overripe Pansal (xarel-lo) grapes, in Tarragona

Vinebre in the Ribera de Ebro is known for this style.

Montsant DO (100% dried Pansa)
Min 15% abv

46
Q

What is subirat?

A

Synonym for Malvasia in Catalonia

47
Q

Which DO created in 2001 split Tarragona in half?

A

Monsant- DO created in 2001, splitting Taragona in half. It was previously a subzone of Tarragona, called Falset

48
Q

Where does the Ebro river start?

A

Tarragona, in NE Spain

49
Q

Describe Tarragona’s subzones

A

Campo de Tarragona is lower elevation plains bordering the Mediterranean. Warmer and drier.
Comarca Ribera d’Ebre sits inland, surrounding the mouth of the Ebro River. The climate here is more continental and there is more variation in elevation.

50
Q

What is Garrut?

A

Synonym for Monastrell in Catalonia

51
Q

What is Subirat Parent?

A

it was believed to be Malvasia in Catalonia, but DNA testing recently confirmed it is Alarije

52
Q

What DOs are between the two parts of Tarragona?

A

Montsant DO
Priorat DOQ

Conca de Barbera DO - directly between

53
Q

Where does the Ebro River start?

A

in the Comarca Ribera d’Ebre subzone of Tarragona

54
Q

What is conca?

A

a basin

Conca de Barbera is a basin formed by the combined valleys of the Francolí and Anguera rivers, above which rise various low-lying mountain ranges.

55
Q

Where does Mataro get it’s name?

A

Town of Mataro in Alello DO, Catalonia

56
Q

What are “sauló”?

A

Sandy granitic soils typical to the Alella DO on Catalonia’s coast

57
Q

What regions in spain traditionally used Trepat?

A

Conca de Barbera DO, Costers del Segre DO
*traditionally associated with the rosés and light bodied reds of the regions

Now used in cava rose (not allowed in white cava)

58
Q

What is the most historic and important subzone of the Costers del Segre DO?

A

Raimat, named for the property founded by Manuel Raventos of Codorniu

others: Urgell, Garrigues, Pallars Jussà, Artesa de Segre, Segrià, Valls del Riucorb

59
Q

What is El Cierzo?

A

Dry wind in Catalonia, specifically in Terra Alta- cooling in the summer

60
Q

When was Montsant DO established? What was it before?

A

2001

the area of Montsant was previously a subzone of Tarragona DO, called “Falset”

61
Q

Where is Alello DO? How many hectares under vine?

A

on the coast between the Penedes and Emporda

314 ha under vine in 2023 - urban sprawl is biggest threat - close to Barcelona

62
Q

Spanish synonym for Carignan?

A

Mazuelo
Carinyena
Samso

63
Q

Describe the soil and climate of Conca de Barbera

A

climate is Mediterannean, but at 400 m of elevation, warm temperatures are slightly tempered

limestone, some llicorela at higher elevations

64
Q

Which spanish regions have introduced Vi de Vila categories?

A

Priorat
Rioja (Vino de Municipio)
Rueda
Bierzo

65
Q

What grapes are allowed in Priorat Vi de Vila and Vi de Finca?

A

wines must include a min. 60% recommended varieties, or a min. 50% recommended varieties if only one is present

recommended: Garnatxa Negre (Grenache), Carinyena/Samsó (Carignan)

66
Q

What is the minimum alcohol for priorat wines? Aging requirements?

A

Blanc: 13%
Rosat: 13%
Negre: 13.5%

Wines labelled Vi de Guarda: red only, aged 12 months in oak

otherwise regular Spanish aging

67
Q

Around how many hectares are planted in Priorat?

A

Around 2000

for comparison, Rioja has 65,000 + hectares planted

68
Q

Where does Montsant DO get it’s name?

A

the Montsant massif (“holy mountain”) that define’s the region’s landscape

69
Q

What is “Classic Penedes?”

A

Sparkling wines made in Penedes DO - made by traditional or ancestral method from organic grapes, min. 3.5 bars of pressure

can label “Reserva3” for 3 years on the less, i.e.

70
Q

What is Vino Aguja / Vi d’Agulla?

A

In Penedes DO, semi-sparkling, 1-2.5 bars of pressure

71
Q

What are the zones of Cava approved in 2020?

A

Comtats de Barcelona - 95% of production
Valle del Ebro
Viñedos de Almendralejo
Zona de Levante (Cava de Requena)

72
Q

What are the subzones of Comtats de Barcelona?

A

(a zone of Cava production- around 95% of production)

Serra de Mar - near the coast, by Barcenlona

Valls d’Anoia
Conca del Gaia
Serra de Prades
Pla del Ponent

73
Q

What is Vino Brisado?

A

In Tarragona DO - Orange Wine (Authorized white grapes plus Xarello Rosado)

74
Q

Penedes DO - hectares under vine?

A

19,242 (2023)

75
Q

Tarragona DO - hectares under vine?

A

4,500 (2023)

76
Q

Terra Alta DO - hectares under vine?

A

5,820 (2023)

77
Q

What are the two most sought after wines produced by Alvaro Palacios today and the grapes in each?

A

Finca Dofí made from a blend of Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah

L’Ermita which is made of 100% Garnacha

78
Q

Vins Brisats

A

skin contact wine from Terre Alta DO- in effect in 2021 but not in the official documents.

Garnacha Blanca

Master Sommelier Theory 2025 (58 decks)

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