Spain COPY Flashcards
Toro wine is produced in the autonomía of:
Castilla y Leon
In which 2 autonomiás is Airen widely planted?
What style of wine does it make?
La Mancha and Valdepeñas
Makes hugely bland wine!
Used in the production of Brandy de Jerez
What is Tempranillo known as in Catalunya?
What does it translate to in English?
Ull de Llebre / Eye of the Rabbit
What are the 5 best vintages for Ribera del Duero between 2000 and 2015?
2001 / 2004 / 2005 / 2009 / 2010
In which Spanish region is Prieto Picudo one of the major grapes?
Terra de Leon DO / Castilla y Leon
In Spain, what do the terms “Noble”, “Añejo” and “Viejo” indicate on a wine label?
Noble: 18 months aging in a cask of less than 600 L or bottle
Añejo: 24 months aging in a cask of less than 600 L or bottle
Viejo: 36 months aging, demonstrates marked oxidative character
Where would you usually find Monastrell?
What is the grape called in France?
What are the characteristics, aromas and flavours of the grape?
In the autonomías of Valencia and Murcia (Jumilla and Yecla)
In France the grape is called Mourvèdre
Deep colour, full body, high tannin and alcohol with flavours of ripe blackberry fruit
Where does Bodegas Lopez de Heredia produce wine?
What is the name of their most famous bottling?
Rioja DOCa
Viña Tondonia
What are the different mountain ranges that surround the Meseta Central in Spain?
Cantabrian Mountains to the north.
Sierra de la Demanda to the northeast.
Sierra de Guadamarra to the southeast.
Sierra de Gredos to the south.
What is Spanish sparkling wine commonly known as?
Cava
What were the 5 original Clos wines of Priorat?
How were they originally classified?
René Barbier’s Clos Mogador
Alvaro Palacios’ Clos Dofi,
Clos Erasmus,
Clos de l’Obac,
Clos Martinet,
What are the characteristics of Garnacha Tinta?
In which 5 regions is it used extensively?
What is it called in France?
Thin-skinned, high alcohol with concentrated spiced red fruit.
Used extensively in Rioja, Navarra, Carineña and Calatayud and old vine Garnacha is key in Priorat. Also extensively used to make Rosados.
Called Grenache in France
Who produces “L’Ermita?”
What DO does it come from?
What is significant about this wine / producer?
Alvaro Palacios
Priorat DO
- One of the original producers to rekindle the Priorat DOQ in the 90’s.
- Biodynamic leader in Spain.
- The wines showcase the concentration possible from old vines in the Priorat with expressive aromatics and beautiful elegance.
- Alvaro has been instrumental in delinating the differences between the villages in the Priorat and helped to make Gratallops the first sub-DO
Where is Jumilla and Yecla located, what is the climate like, and what the dominant grape?
South of Valencia in the autonomia of Murcia.
Hot and arid
Monastrell (Mourvèdre)
Mostly youthful and fruity
What are the 3 distinct climatic zones in Penedes, and what is grown on each?
Alt-Penedes: up to 800m, ideal for growing Parellada.
Medio-Penedes: mid-slopes ideal for growing Tempranillio.
Baix-Penedes: lowest elevation, coastal plain w/Mediterranean climate. Great for growing Garnacha and Monastrell.
Describe a ‘typical’ Ribera del Duero red wine
Dark in colour, concentrated fruit flavours with high tannin
What is the climate and soil of Rioja Alta and Alavesa? At what altitude are most vineyards?
- Maritime, Alavesa is coolest, and Rioja Alta is slightly warmer.
- High proportion of calcareous clay
- 500~800m
Indicate the style(s) of wine allowed to be produced in Ribera del Duero.
Still Red / Rosé
What are the 5 sub-zones of Rias Baixas?
Which 2 are located along a river and what is the name of that river?
Val do Salnés
Ribeira do Ulla
Soutomaior
O Rosal (Miño River)
Condado do Tea (Miño River)
Where is Bierzo, what autonomiá is it located in, what is the climate like and what wines does it mainly produce?
East of Rias Baixas, in the mountains between Galicia and the Meseta Central.
Castilla y Léon.
Moderate climate with a cooling maritime influence. Mainly produces elegant red wines from Mencia with natural high acidity and red fruit aromas. Best wines come from old vines grown on steep slopes.
Where is most (95%) Cava produced?
Centered on the city of:
Catalunya, around Penedes. Centered on Sant Sadurni d’Anoia
What dominated plantings in Rioja Baja until the mid 1980s and is now back in resurgence?
Garnacha
The Ribera del Duero wine region is in the automonía of:
Castilla y Leon
Bodega Otazu, Prado de Irache, and Señorio de Arinzano all produce wines under what designation?
Where do they produce wines?
DO Pago
Navarra
Identify the sub-region that corresponds with the following towns of Rioja:
A. Haro
B. Labastida
C. Alfaro
D. Logroño
A. Rioja Alta
B. Rioja Alavesa
C. Rioja Oriental
D. Rioja Alta
What is the grape Cariñena called in Rioja?
In France?
In Italy?
Mazuelo in Rioja
Carignan in France
Carignano
In which appellation does Emilio Moro produce wine?
Ribera del Duero
What does DOCa stand for?
Denominación de Origen Calificada
What is the correct order (youngest to oldest) for Gran Reserva, Reserva, Joven, Crianza
Joven, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva
What is the capacity of traditional barrels used in aging red wines in Rioja?
225 L
What are the 5 sub-zones of Navarra?
3 to the north, 1 central, 1 to the south.
North: Tierra Estella, Valdizarbe, Baja Montaña.
Central: Ribera Alta
South: Ribera Baja
Verdejo is mainly found in which DO of Spain?
What is one of its cons?
What kind of wines were tradtionally / are currently made with it?
Verdejo
- Highly susceptible to oxidation
- Traditionally made into oxidized, Sherry-like wines. With protective winemaking can make light bodied, high acidity, wine with flavours of peach and melon.
What is the dominant black grape variety in Ribera del Duero?
What are the 2 local synonyms for it?
Tempranillo
-Tinto del País and Tinto Fino
What is the driest form of sherry called?
Fino or Manzanilla
Who produces “Bosconia,” “Tondonia,” and “Gravonia?”
Bodegas López de Heredia
Which Cava House produces over 60% of all Cava?
Who is their rival?
Freixenet
Codorniú
The River Ebro runs through which Spanish wine region?
Rioja
What are PGI wines called in Spain?
Vino de la Tierra (VdlT) /
Vino con Indicación Geográfica Protegida
Whilst others are used what are the 2 grapes commonly used in Priorat?
Old vine Garnacha, old vine Carineña.
In making sherry, what is the system of topping off casks with older sherry called?
The Solera System
What do the different sub-zones of Rioja contribute to a blended Rioja Tinto wine?
- Freshness from Rioja Alavesa
- Extract and alcoholic warmth of Rioja Oriental
- Acidity and structure of Rioja Alta.
What is the minimum ageing for Gran Reserva wines in Rioja - In oak / in bottle / in total.
60 months (5 years) total
min. 2 years in barrel
min. 2 years in bottle
Where is Bodegas Numanthia located?
Toro DO
What is considered the “traditional” style of Rioja Tinto?
What changes are taking place more recently?
- Soft, with muted red fruit, firm acidity and the unmistakable oak aromas of dill, vanilla and cedar from American oak.
- Many contemporary producers are emphasizing French oak, more extraction, and riper, darker fruit.
The grape variety Grenache is known by a different name in Spain. What is it?
Garnacha
What are the 4 recommended red grapes of Rias Baixas?
Caiño Tinto, Espadeiro, Loureira Tinta, Sousón
What is the climate of Carineña and Calatayud, what styles of wine are commonly made and from which grapes?
Warm Continental with low rainfall
- Fruity inexpensive wines from Garnacha and Cariñena (Mazuelo)
- Higher quality wines from old vine Garnacha and Cariñena giving greater flavour intensity and structure
Mas Martinet produces wine in which region?
What is significant about this producer’s wines?
Priorat DOQ
They represent real value for money in a region that normally commands extremely high prices.
Spain’s best known wine family, Torres, is based in which wine region?
Penedes
What is Tempranillo called in La Mancha and Valdepeñas?
Cencibel
What are the four main white ‘Spanish’ grapes?
Verdejo
Albariño
Airén
Macabeo (Viura in Rioja)
What is the soil in Priorat called, what is its make up and what does it do?
Llicorella
Black slate with small particles of Quartzite / Mica which reflects heat in to the vines, conserves heat over night and helps retain water
What are the 16 wine-making regions (autonomías) of Spain?
Ebro: La Rioja, Navarra, Aragón
Catalunya
The North West: Galicia, Asturias, Pais Vasco (Basque Country)
The Levante: Valencia, Murcia
Central: Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Madrid, Extremadura
The Islands: Balaeric Islands (Mallorca), Canary Islands
The South: Andalucia
Where does Bodegas AGE produce wine?
Which sub-region are they located in?
What is the name of their bottling?
Rioja DOCa
Rioja Alta
Siglo
Describe a typical red wine from Priorat:
Based on Garnacha and Cariñena (though French varietals are sometimes included), produces Spain’s richest, most densely concentrated red wines. Deeply coloured with high tannins, med to high alc with concentrated black fruit and toasty French oak.
What sub-region of Rías Baixas has the highest production of total wine and is known as the historical birthplace of the albariño grape?
Val do Sanés
Where would you most likely encounter wines labeled “Súmmum?”
What does this labeling term indicate?
Ribeira Sacra DO, Galicia, Spain
Red: min. 85% principal red grapes, min. 60% Mencía (Súmmum may be varietally labeled with a min. 85% Mencía)
White: 100% principal white grapes
What region does Marqués de Murrieta produce wine?
What is their top bottling?
Rioja DOCa
Castilla Ygay Gran Reserva Especial
In Spanish wine law, what does VCIG stand for, and where does it fall in the hierarchy?
Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geografica
This falls within the PDO status, a step above VdlT but below DO. A basic quality wine with geographic indication.
What is the minimum ageing for Red Reserva wines in Rioja total - In oak - in bottle
36 months total
min. 12 months in barrel
min. 6 months in bottle
Tinta de Toro is a synonym of:
Tempranillo
Where is Navarra located?
North and east of Rioja running into the foothills of the Pyrenees
Identify the autonomía and river to the following appellations:
A. Rioja
B. Extramadura
C. Toro
D. Valdeorras
E. Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
A. La Rioja / Ebro
B. n/a / Tagus
C. Castilla y León / Duero
D. Galicia / Sil
E. Andalucía / Guadalquivir
What are the 6 most planted black ‘Spanish’ grapes?
Tempranillo
Garnacha Tinto (Grenache)
Monastrell (Mourvèdre)
Graciano
Carineña (Carignan) - Mazuelo in Rioja
Mencia
The Spanish sub-region of Murcia is made up of which 3 DOs?
80% of the area’s vineyards are planted with ___
- Jumilla DO, Yecla DO, Bullas DO
- Monastrell
Where are the vineyards of Priorat located, what’s the climate like and what black grapes are predominate?
Inland hills.
Long hot, dry, summers with low annual rainfall.
Garnacha and Carineña. Cab Sauv is also grown and added to blends.
What 5 black grapes are permitted in Red Rioja DOCa wines, and in what %?
Tinto: min. 95% Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Maturana Tinta (if destemmed)
min. 85% same varieties (if whole clusters or whole berries are used)
Why are vineyards in Priorat expensive and time consuming to manage?
Bush vines are managed on steep slopes meaning Mechanical harvesting is impossible.
Poor soils mean vines have to dig extra deep and yields are extremely low.
What are the 3 types of the Listán grape, what are their synonyms and where are they found?
All 3 grapes are found on the Canary Islands of Spain.
Listán Bianco (Palomino): also used to make Sherry in Jerez.
Listán Negro / Listán Prieto (Mission) used for red wines.
With the exception of NW Spain, heat and lack of water are the biggest challenges to growing grapes in Spain. If you were managing a vineyard how and why would you manage density and pruning? What is one potential major drawback?
Low density bush trained vines = maximise the water available to each vine and shading the fruit from excessive heat.
The drawback is bush vines cannot be mechanically harvested. I might consider ‘modified’ VSP so the shoots are allowed to flop over the grapes giving them shade and allowing mechanical harvesting.
What is the main white grape of Rias Baixas?
What are the 3 other recommended grapes?
Albariño
-Loureiro, Treixadura, Caiña Blanca
What styles of wine are made in Toro DO and what are the grapes used?
Blanco = min. 85% Malvasia or min. 100% Verdejo
Rosado = min. 75% Tinta de Toro or 100% Grenache
Tinto = min. 75% Tinta de Toro
When was Spain’s first DO Pago status granted and to whom?
What region is it located in?
Marqués de Griñon’s Dominio de Valdepusa in 2003
La Mancha DO
What is Spain’s smallest wine region called?
Priorat
What are the ideal growing conditions for Tempranillo?
Tempranillo is an early ripening variety that tends to thrive in chalky vineyard soils such as those of the Ribera del Duero.
Needs heat to develop flavour but moderating sea breezes and/or altitude to provide a diurnal range to maintain acidity.
Which well-known Spanish cities are closest to the wine region of Priorat?
Barcelona or Tarragona
DOs are located on which 6 of the Canary Islands?
Tenerife.
Lanzarote.
Gran Canaria.
La Gomera.
El Hierro
La Palma
What does C.V.N.E stand for?
Where do they produce wine (winery location/sub-region/region)?
Two significant facts about this winery:
Compañias Vinicola de Norte de España
- Haro / Rioja Alta / Rioja DOCa
- The estate was the first in Rioja to use concrete tanks.
- Their Monopole wine is the oldest registered white wine in Spain, with its inaugural vintage in 1915.
Which body of water most influences Rioja?
The Ebro River
What is the name of Spain’s largest wine region?
La Mancha
What is the French grape Mourvèdre called in Spain?
Monastrell
What are the 5 DOs of Galicia?
Monterrei DO
Rías Baixas DO
Ribeira Sacra DO
Ribeiro DO
Valdeorras DO
What is the climate of Rioja Oriental (Baja) compared to the other 2 sub-zones of Rioja, and what is one potential risk?
Warmer and more continental with potential risk of drought.
Listán is a French synonym for which Spanish grape?
Palomino
What is the climate and soil of Rioja Oriental (Baja)?
- Warmest of the 3 sub-zones
- Soils composed of alluvial soil and ferrous clay.
What are the main red and white grape varieties grown in Valdepeñas?
What does Valdepeñas translate to in English?
Red = Cencibel (Tempranillo)
White = Airen
-Valley of Rocks
Broadly, what are the three climate zones in Spain and where are they?
- North and North West including Rioja Alta and Alavesa - Moderate Maritime with rain
- North East from Catalunya, down Mediterranean coast, to Valencia - Warm Mediterranean moderated by sea breezes or altitude cooling in places.
- On The Meseta Central - Cut off from Maritime influence by a ring of mountains giving a hot Continental climate
The Valencia DO focuses on what kind of wine made mainly from which grape?
-White wines made from Merseguera
What is the Vinos de Pago denomination?
A theoretically superior appellation to the basic DO. An estate within an existing DO must surpass the basic DO requirements in DO Pago legislation, typically through lowered yields and other measures suggestive of quality winemaking.
Single estates of high reputation who grow the grapes, vinify and mature the wines on the estate
How come there’s no Maritime influence in Ribera del Duero?
It’s cut off from direct Maritime influence by a ring of mountains
What are the 11 DOs that make up the autonomía of Catalunya?
Alella DO
Catalunya DO
Cava DO
Conca de Barberà DO
Costers del Segre DO
Empordà DO
Montsant DO
Penedès DO
Pla de Bages DO
Tarragona DO
Terra Alta DO
What are the 3 sub-regions of Rioja?
Rioja Alta, Rioja Alvesa, Rioja Oriental (Baja)
Which are the only 2 regions holding DOCa status?
Rioja and Priorat
Celler Scala Dei produces wine in which region?
In contrast to most wines produced in this region, how would you describe this wine stylistically?
Priorat DOQ
The wines from Scala Dei depart from the region’s traditional dark, intense, alcoholic wines to show a more approachable, balanced and elegant style of Priorat wine. Scala Dei wines have the structure and intensity expected of Priorat with a surprising balance and elegance that is rare for the region.
In which autonomia is Cariñena and Calatayud located?
Directly south of which DO?
Aragón.
South of Campo de Borja
What is the minimum ageing for Red Reserva wines in Spain (general) total - In oak - in bottle
3 years total
min. 1 year in barrel
no requirement for bottle-aging
What is the Meseta Central and what is the climate like?
A huge plateau, in the centre of Spain, cut off from maritime influence due to being encircled by mountains.
It has a hot continental climate with low rainfall.
Extreme highs and lows: Below freezing temps are common in Winter. In Summer temps can be moderated by the cool nights of altitude sites.
Albariño and Godello are planted in which parts of Galicia?
Albariño = closer to the coast.
Godello = more inland within Galicia
In which Autonomía is Toro DOC located, what is it west and northwest of?
What is the climate like?
What is the typical flavor profile of wines produced here?
Castilla y Leòn. West of Ribera del Duero, NW of Rueda.
Continental, High daytime temps.
Reds are full flavoured with intense fruit flavours, high tannin and high alcohol
What is the primary red grape of Manchuela DO?
In which autonomía is it located?
Bobal
Castilla - La Mancha
Which international black grapes are grown in Spain alongside native varietals?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, some Pinot Noir.
In which autonomia is Rias Baixas located and what is the climate like?
What is the dominant grape and what styles of wine are produced?
Galicia in NW Spain on the Atlantic coast. Maritime climate, bloody wet!
Mainly Albariño producing high acidity wines with ripe stone fruit flavours. Occasionally richer from oak or lees aging.
What is significant about the Cava DO?
What regions are allowed to produce it?
- It is the only Spanish appellation that covers a style rather than a geographic area.
- Aragón, Euskadi (Basque Country), Catalunya, Extremadura, La Rioja, Navarra, València
What is significant about Rueda and what is the climate?
What type of wine predominates here?
Continental climate with cool Summer nights
Mainly white wines produced from Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc
In which region does Vega Sicilia produce wine?
What is the name of his top bottling?
What grapes are used and how is the wine aged?
Ribera del Duero
“Unico”
Tinto del País (Tempranillo), Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot and aged, often for a decade or more in American and French oak barrels.
What is the principal grape used to make red Rioja?
Tempranillo
What specific body of water is directly to the north of País Vasco?
Bay of Biscay
In which appellation does Dominio de Pingus produce wine?
What are the 4 wines produced?
Ribera del Duero
“Pingus” / “Flor de Pingus” / “Amelia” / “PSI” (Old vine Tempranillo)
Which was the first bodega in Rioja to plant Cabernet Sauvignon and employ Bordelaise winemaking techniques?
Marques de Riscal
In which appellation does Aalto produce wine?
Are they considered traditional or modern?
What are the 2 wines made, and what are the differences between them?
Ribera del Duero
Modern
Aalto: Standard bottling, 100% Tinto Fino from v. old vines (40-80 yrs.) made every year, aged 17 months in 50/50 American and French Oak
Aalto “PS” (Pagos Seleccionados): Prestige bottling, 100% Tinto Fino from oldest vines (60-90 yrs.), only made in great vintages, ages 20 months entirely in new French oak.
What is the climate in Navarra and what style of wines come from there?
Similar climate to Rioja but cooler and wetter near the mountains.
Red wines made from Tempranillo and Garnacha, very similar to Rioja.
Additionally fresh rosados made from Garnacha which has been picked earlier to maintain some acidity. Fermented protectively to fruity rosado.
Where is almost half of Spain’s wine produced, what is the dominant red and white grape?
La Mancha, vast area of the Meseta Central south of Madrid
Red: Tempranillo known locally as Cencibel
White = Airen
Cab Sav, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc also
What is the traditional white grape of Rioja?
What 2 styles are mainly produced?
Viura.
Can be unoaked, clean, fruity, modern, or Traditionally heavily oaked, oxidised.
For which white wine is the Rueda region well-known?
Verdejo
Is a wine labelled Tinto red or white?
Red
Bodegas Pesquera produces wine in which appellation?
What is the name of the premier wine produced?
Ribera del Duero
Pesquera Janus Gran Reserva
Why would you use some Graciano making Rioja?
Use a small % in the finest wines to add concentrated black fruit flavours, acidity and tannins.
deep red color, strong aroma and agibility.
What geographical feature separates La Rioja from País Vasco?
The Cantabrian Mountains
What is the minimum ageing for Red Reserva wines in Ribera del Duero total - In oak - in bottle
3 years total
min. 1 year in barrel
no requirement for bottle-aging
What is the minimum ageing for Red Crianza wines in Rioja and Ribera del Duero total - In oak - in bottle
What is the 1 difference for Spain (general)
24 months total
min. 1 year in barrel
no bottle-aging requirements.
Spain (general): 6 months in barrel.
Name 5 villages in Priorat:
- Escaladei
- La Morera de Monstant
- La Viella Baixa
- La Viella Alta
- Torroja del Priorat
- Poboleda
- El Lloar
- Gratallops
- Porrera
- Solanes del Molar
- Bellmunt del Priorat
- Masos del Falset
What is the minimum ageing for Gran Reserva wines in Spain (general) - In oak / in bottle / in total.
60 months (5 years) total
min. 18 months in barrel
no bottle aging requirement
What is the minimum ageing for Gran Reserva wines in Ribera del Duero - In oak / in bottle / in total.
60 months (5 years) total
min. 2 years in barrel
min. 3 years in bottle
Where are the vineyards of the Ribera del Duero located?
On the highest part of the Meseta Central with vineyards btw/ 850 and 900m.
Where is The Levante wine region?
What autonomias / DOs make it up?
On the Mediterranean coast of Spain.
Valencia: Valencia DO, Utiel Requena DO, Alicante DO.
Murcia: Jumilla DO, Yecla DO, Bullas DO
What is the minimum ageing for Joven wines - In oak - in bottle
Joven wines are fresh and youthful so there is no ageing requirement, they’re drunk young
Mencia isn’t used widely but which DO does focus on it?
What climate does it prefer?
What aromas and flavors does it bring?
Used extensively in Bierzo
Likes a moderate climate
Brings fresh fruit, medium~high acidity and sometimes slight herbaceous
What term does Priorat use instead of DOCa?
What dialect is this in?
DOQ = Denominació d’Originen Qualificada
-Catalan
Which region is best known for producing Albarino?
Galicia (Rias Baixas)
Val Llach is located in which region?
What are the 3 wines produced?
Priorat DOQ
Val Llach Priorat (flagship wine)
“Idus”
“Embruix”
What is the climate in Ribera del Duero?
What is Tempranillo known as?
Short, hot, dry Summers with very cold Winters
Tinto del País
What are the aging requirements for the different levels of BLANCO / ROSADO Rioja?
Crianza: min. 2 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder may be in bottle, oak or stainless steel)
Reserva: min. 2 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)
Gran Reserva: min. 4 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)
What are the main grapes are used to make Cava? White/Black
White - Macebao (Viura), Xarel-lo, Parellada and Chardonnay, Malvasia (Subirat)
Black - Garnacha, Monastrell, Pinot Noir, Trepat (only for rosés),
What is the most common red and white grape used for producing Txakolina?
White: Ondarrabi Zuri (Hondarribi Zuri)
Red: Ondarrabi Beltza (Hondarribi Beltza)
What is considered to be the national grape of Spain and in which regions is it extensively used?
Tempranillo
Rioja, Navarra, Ribera del Duero, Toro, La Mancha and Valdepeñas.
What does Cariñena / Carignan add to a Spanish wine blend?
- Acidity, tannin and colour.
- Ideal blended with Tempranillo or with Garnacha in Priorat
What are the 3 wineries under the C.V.N.E label?
Imperial
Viña Real
Contino
Terra de León is found in which autonomía?
What are the 2 recommended grapes?
Castilla y Leon
Prieto Picudo / Mencia
Describe an ‘average’ Cava
Dry, medium acidity with some autolytic character
Identify the correct autonomía for the following DOs:
A. Montilla-Moriles
B. Ribeira Sacra
C. Rueda
D. Arabako Txakolina
E. Costers del Segre
A. Montilla-Moriles
B. Galicia
C. Castilla y León
D. Pais Vasco
E. Catalunya
