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Master Sommelier Theory 2025 > Spain: Central and Southern > Flashcards

Spain: Central and Southern Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

Condado de Huelva DO

A

Andalucia, on Atlantic coast

  • Blanco rec: Zalema, auth: Palomino Fino, Listán B, Pedro Ximénez, Garrido Fino, Moscatel de Alejandría, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
  • Blanco Joven: fermentation temp. can’t exceed 20°C
  • Tinto: Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot

Blanco Tradicional: traditional fermentation

+ fortified

soils: chalky sand, best on Albariza

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2
Q

Condado do Huelva DO - fortified styles

A

Condado Pálido: Generoso style produced in a solera, biological aging

Condado Viejo: Generoso style produced in a solera, oxidative aging

Vino Generoso de Licor: Generoso style produced in solera, may be released as “pale dry”, “cream”, “pale cream”, and “medium”

predominantly from white grape Zalema

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3
Q

Granada DO

A

Andalucia, promoted to DO in 2021 (newest in Spain)

red, white, rose, sparkling
lots of varieties

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4
Q

Montilla-Moriles DO

A

Andalucia

fortified AND unfortified Vino Generoso (sherry style)
sweet fortified

Recommended: Pedro Ximénez (planted in approximately 75% of the DO vineyards)

Authorized: Layren (Airén), Baladí (Verdejo), Moscatel, Torrontés

Vino Dulce Natural (fortified)
Pedro Ximénez: min. 272 g/l residual sugar
Moscatel: min. 160 g/l residual sugar

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5
Q

List the DOs of Andalucia

A

Condado de Huelva
Granada
Jerez-Xeres-Sherry
Manzanilla Sanlucar de Barrameda
Montilla Moriles
Malaga
Sierras de malaga

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6
Q

What body of water separates southern Spain from Morocco?

A

Straight of Gibraltar

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7
Q

What is Europe’s largest demarcated wine region?

A

La Mancha DO in central Spain

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8
Q

La Mancha DO

A

extremely large winegrowing area in Castilla la Mancha, around 160,000 ha. much is used for distillation though.

blanco, rosado, tinto, VDN from dried grapes, Vino de Aguja, Espumante

Airen, Cencibel (Tempranillo)

Almansa, Méntrida, and Ribera del Júcar were once part of La Mancha, and are now their own DOs

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9
Q

describe vineyards of La Mancha

A

vines are head trained, and planted in “marco real” system- 2.5 meters between each vine, to reduce water consumption.

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10
Q

Valdepeñas DO

A

La Mancha. “valley of rocks.” gained popularity when a railway was constructed linking the region with Madrid, and the French phylloxera crisis. best grapes from Los Llanos (literally “the flats”) western sector, or in the north on the sloped plantings of Las Aberturas (meaning “the passes”).

Jabalon River

chalk bedrock with bands of red clay. The high lime content helps with good moisture retention – vital in these hot and dry conditions, where 2,500 hours of scorching sunshine a year are standard.

Airen, Cencibel (Tempranillo)

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11
Q

aloques

A

or claretes- light bodied red wines, like clairet of bordeaux. was traditional in Valdepeñs, made from predominantly Tempranillo

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12
Q

Valdepeñas soil type? Why is it relevant?

A

chalk bedrock- water retention important in the dry environment of La Mancha

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13
Q

What was the first DO Pago? Where is it?

A

Dominio de Valdepusa, Toledo, Castilla la Mancha. Marques de Griñon

Finca Elez, Castilla la Mancha. Manuel Manzaneque

both in 2002

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14
Q

List the DOs of Castilla la Mancha

A

La Mancha
Mentrida
Almansa
Manchuela
Ribera del Jucar
Valdepeñas
Uclés
Mondéjar
Vinos de Madrid

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15
Q

List the DO of the Extremadura, and its subzones

A

Ribera del Guadiana

subzones: Tierra de Barros- important

Ribera Alta de Guadiana
Ribera Baja de Guadiana
Matanegra
Cañamero
Montánchez

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16
Q

Around which latitude are the Canary Islands?

A

28 degrees N- most tropical of Europe’s wine regions. around 70 miles from the coast of Morocco

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17
Q

What is the altitude of most vineyards on the Canary Islands?

A

The islands are warm and humid, so the altitude of the stone-terrace vineyards is vital and for the majority, it ranges from 500 to 1500 meters (1640-3280ft)

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18
Q

Canary Islands- main soil type?

A

Volcanic- several active volcanoes

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19
Q

List the Canary Islands

A

Tenerife DO - largest, has 5 sub DO
Lanzarote DO
La Palma DO
La Gomera DO
El Hierro DO
Gran Canaria DO

Fuerteventura - does not have it’s own DO, covered by Islas Canarias DO

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20
Q

Important grapes of the Canary Islands?

A

Listan Blanco (Palomino)*
Malvasia (di Lipari)
Marmajuelo
Listan Negro
Listan Prieto
Negramoll

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21
Q

Malvasia varieties on Canary Islands

A

Malvasia (Malvasia di Lipari)
Malvasía Rosada (pink skinned)
Malvasía Volcánica (or Malvasía de Lanzarote, Marmajuelo x Malvasia di Lipari)

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22
Q

What styles of wine are made in the Canary Islands?

A

long tradition of sweet wines, but also red, white, rose, sparkling

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23
Q

Describe the geography of Tenerife

A

the largest of the Canary Islands

Mount Teide, Spain’s tallest peak (3,718 meters) is an active volcano at the center, forms a sort of rain shadow on the southern part of the island- humidity is trapped on the north side. This allows for higher elevation plantings on the slopes.

vineyard holdings are in small parcels (suertes)

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24
Q

List the DOs on Tenerife

A

North: Tacoronte-Acentejo, Valle de la Orotava,Ycoden-Daute-Isora

South: Abona and Valle de Güímar

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25
Q

Where are Europe’s highest elevation vineyards?

A

Abona DO, on Tenerife - more than 1600 meters in elevation.

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26
Q

What is the unique vine training method on Tenerife called?

A

Cordón Trenzado is a unique vine training system found DO Valle de la Orotava and DO Tacoronte-Acentejo on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

The system grew out of the farmer’s need to cultivate additional crops within limited space.

Vines are situated approximately 2-2.5 ft/0.6-0.8 m off the ground and are literally braided as they grow. As a result, the cordons may be moved to the side to accommodate alternative crops (such as potatoes).

Trailing canes generally grow to upwards of 49 ft/15 m, but some have been found that top 82 ft/25 m

27
Q

Tenerife important grapes?

A

Listan Blanco (Palomino) - in the south
Listan Negro
Negramoll

28
Q

Describe the soil and landscape on Lanzarote

A

soil is called ceniza - it is a sandy substance derived from the ash and lava of a six-year eruption from the 1730s

29
Q

How do the vintners on Lanzarote make the harsh environment suitable for grapes?

A

vines are platned in hoyos - pits deep enough to penetrate a layer of subsoil that can carry sufficient moisture for the plants. The hoyos are quite wide, measuring as large as 10 meters in diameter to 5 meters in depth, and each hoyo houses just one or two vines. The shallow basins also help shelter the vines from fiercely hot and humid winds from the west that would shrivel their berries and coat them in the ash. To amplify protection, each hoyo is outlined by a semi-circular cairn.

zanjas - are similar, grape rows in trenches

30
Q

albariza

A

chalky soil of Andalucia

31
Q

where and when did Phylloxera enter Spain?

A

Malaga, in Andaluca in 1876

32
Q

esparto

A

grass mat used to dry grapes

Malaga- the traditional sweet wines are soleo style

33
Q

arrope

A

in Malaga, term for syrupy, boiled down must

34
Q

pantomima

A

term used in Malaga, for wines made with even more concentrated arrope (syrupy, boiled down must)

35
Q

vino borracho

A

term used in Malaga. “drunk wine,” a fortifying agent consisting of both wine and spirit.

36
Q

Malaga - un-fortified sweet wines produced from overripe grapes?

A

Vino de Uvas Sobremaduradas (not fortified)

late harvest

37
Q

Malaga soleo wines

A

grapes dried in the sun on grass mats (espartos)

un fortified: vino de uvas pasificadas dulce (sweet, raisin grape wine)

fortified: vino de licor

may be dry or sweet

38
Q

Malaga: vino naturalmente dulce

A

comes from overripe Pedro Ximénez or the Moscatels and is NOT fortified

39
Q

Malaga sweet Vino de Licor

A

Dulce Vino de Licor includes the following categories:
Vino Maestro: fresh grapes, fortified before fermentation starts

Vino Dulce Natural: fresh grapes, fortified after fermentation starts with 4-7% naturally acquired alcohol, 212 g/l min. must weight

Vino Tierno: “sunned” grapes, fortified after fermentation starts, 350 g/l min. must weight (after “soleo” drying process

40
Q

Malaga grapes

A

Recommended: Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel de Alejandría, Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Moscatel Morisco)

Authorized: Max 30% Lairén, Doradilla, Romé (Romé is the only red grape authorized.)

41
Q

Sierras de Malaga DO

A

Blanco, Rosado, Tinto, Sobremaduradas
dry wines max 12g/l RS
Sobremaduradas min 45 g/l

blanco: Chardonnay, Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel de Alejandría, Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Moscatel Morisco), Sauvignon Blanc, Macabeo

tinto: Romé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo

42
Q

list the Baleric Islands

A

Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca, Menorca

off the coast of Valencia, in the western Mediterranean- close to Catalonia in identity

43
Q

DOs on Mallorca

A

in the Balearic Islands

Binissalem DO
Pla i Llevant DO

44
Q

Binissalem DO

A

on Mallorca, in Balearic Islands. blanco, rosado, tinto, espumoso

vineyards are confined to the center of the island, northeast of the capital, Palma de Mallorca. The Serra de Tramuntana range shields Binissalem’s vines from cold northerly winds

blanco: min 50% Moll or 50% Moscatel (either de Grano Menudo or de Alejandría). Moll’s naturally low acidity similarly mandates the contributions of other grapes.

tinto: min 30% Manto Negro

DO est 1991
more heavily planted than Pla i Llevant

45
Q

Pla i Llevant

A

on Mallorca, in Balearic Islands. larger area but less planted than Binissalem DO. very fla, pla = plain

French grapes, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay, dominate the appellation, though Moll, Manto Negro, Callet, and the red native Fogoneu are also authorized.

46
Q

Who introduced viticulture to Andalucia? When?

A

Phoenicians, from 1100- 800 BCE

47
Q

what is sack?

A

a pre-cursor to Sherry. likely an inexpensive imitation of the dried-grape wines that had reemerged in Italy and Greece in the Middle Ages (such as Tuscan vin santo). While the Italian and Greek examples were highly prized and incredibly expensive, the Spanish diluted the market and likely the wines themselves, blending raisinated grapes with fresh must to yield a poorer-quality product

48
Q

Who brought viticulture to the Canary Islands?

A

French explorer Jean de Béthencourt claimed it for Castile in 1400s, “conquered” local people in 1496

49
Q

Mountains to the north of Madrid

A

Sierra de Guadarrama

50
Q

Madrid DO

A

subzones: Arganda, Navalcarnero, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, El Molar

Blanco, Rosado
Tinto: min. 85% auth: Tinto Fino, Garnacha Tinta, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

Vino Espumoso (blanco/rosado): only Albillo, Torrontés, Viura, Garnacha Tinta, Tinto Fino, Parellada, and Malvar are authorized, traditional method, min. 9 months on the lees

Sobremadre (blanco/tinto): traditional wines produced by long maceration (skin contact for up to 180 days)

51
Q

Madrid grapes by subzone

A

Arganda: Malvar, Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)

Navalcarnero: Malvar, Garnacha Tinta

San Martín de Valdeiglesias: Albillo Real, Garnacha Tinta

El Molar: Malvar, Garnacha Tinta (newest)

52
Q

Arganda

A

subzone of Madrid DO. largest in size and production. SE of the city, varied soils, some pockets of limestone

only subzone that features Tempranillo over Garnacha

53
Q

mountains to the west of Madrid

A

Sierra de Gredos

54
Q

sobremadre

A

traditional wines produced by long maceration (skin contact for up to 180 days). red and white (effectively orange)

Madrid

55
Q

Extremadura mountains

A

SW Spain

It is separated from Andalucia in the south by the Sierra Morena mountains, and from the central plateau and Castile by the Sierra de Gata range.

56
Q

Extremadura river

A

Ribera del Guadiana - also the name of the sole DO here

Alentejo is to the west

57
Q

Ribera del Guadiana DO

A

Extremadura, SW Spain

Subzones: Tierra de Barros (largest), Ribera Alta, Ribera Baja, Montánchez, Matanegra, Cañamero

blanco, rosado, tinto

Blanco: Alarije, Borba, Cayetana Blanca, Cigüente, Pardina, Viura, Chardonnay, Montúa (Chelva), Eva (Beba de los Santos), Malvar, Moscatel de Alejandría, Moscatel de grano menudo, Parellada, Perruno, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Pedro Ximénez

Tinto: Bobal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, Garnacha Tintorera, Jaen, Mazuela, Merlot, Monastrell, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Syrah

climate more mild near coast- Atlantic and Mediterranean influence. continental inland- hot summers.

58
Q

cork tree?

A

Quercus suber

59
Q

Castilla la Mancha DO Pago

A

Calzadilla
Campo de la Guardia
Casa del Blanco
Los Cerrillos
Dehesa del Carrizal
Dominio de Valdepusa
El Vicario
Finca Élez
Pago Florentino
Guijoso
La Jaraba
Vallegarcía

60
Q

Castilla la Mancha climate

A

extreme continental. very hot and dry summers, freezing winters

manxa = parched earth. name given to the region by the Morrs.

15 inches rainfall annually

61
Q

What is the cheese of Castilla la Mancha?

A

Manchego

62
Q

Vino de Aguja

A

semi sparkling wine, 1-2.5 bars of pressure
Spain

63
Q

Major river in La Mancha DO

A

Guadiana

64
Q

Dominio de Valdepusa

A

first DO Pago (in 2002, with Finca Eliz), in Castilla la Mancha.

has a nubmer of bordeaux varieties planted- Cabernet, PV, Merlot, Syrah.

on unique soil- clay over limestone

Master Sommelier Theory 2025 (57 decks)

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