Spain (General) Flashcards
In regards to Toro as a region, what are the follow:
- Main grape
- Main soil type
- Main style of wine
- Tempranillo (aka Tinta de Toro)
- Sandy soils
- Concentrated reds (old vines)
What is the general climate of NW Spain? (3)
- Maritime climate
- Continental with maritime influences at altitude
- Rainfall throughout the year
What is the climate and influences of Northern Spain? (3)
Warm Continental climate
Altitude moderates heat
Mountains shelter from winds and rain
What is the climate and what are the influences of NE Spain? (2)
Maritime climate with Mediterranean influences
Altitude moderates heat
What are the two DOCa/DOQ in Spain?
Rioja
Priorat
Soil type on Rias Baixas
Sand over Granite bedrock
Albariño as a variety? (4)
Early-mid ripening
High acid
Medium alcohol and body
Green fruit, stone fruit, floral
Name the three other main white varieties in Rias Baixas?
Loureira
Treixadura
Casino Blanco
Name the two main trellising systems in Rias Baixas?
Pergola
VSP
Bierzo climate?
Maritime with Continental influence from altitude and being inland
Where are the 2 main areas of Bierzo?
Fertile flat plains (inexpensive lighter styles of red).
Hillside slopes (500m+ altitude), slate soils, low yields, bush vines, higher cost of production, oak
Main grapes of Rueda?
Verdejo
Sauvignon Blanc
Both can be blended or single varietal
Soul types in Rueda?
Limestone bedrock
Sandy or rocky top soil
Rueda trellising system
VSP
Bush vines (very old pre phylloxera)
Name a top producer in Rueda?
Ossian
Rueda climate?
Extreme Continental with altitude influencing the heat
Rueda Climatic influences?
Altitude (700-900m)
Best sites in Biero?
Hillside slopes (500m+) slate/free draining soils
Why does Spain have the largest vineyard in the world but they sit 3rd in the world in terms of sales?
Large vineyards of bush vines that can be planted at low densities (less competition for water) are scattered throughout the country
Common pest in Spanish vineyards?
Grapevine Moth - managed with pheromone traps
Tempranillo grape Ripening/budding?
Early budding
Early ripening
Like Pinot Noir and Gamay
Garnacha Budding/ripening?
Early budding
Late ripening
(Like Nebb and Sangiovese)
Macabeo is also know as?
Viura in Rioja
Mac capacity for oak barrels in Spain?
330L - may differ in some DOs
Min aging for Crianza reds?
24 months
Min aging for Reserva reds?
36 months
Min aging for Gran Reserva reds
60 months
Min aging for Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva whites?
12 months less than reds in all categories
All categories 6 months oak
Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva oak aging goes up in each category in what increments?
6 months
So crianza 6, Reserva 12, gran Reserva 18
Why does the aging categories of Spanish wine give little indication of style, quality and value? (3)
- Quality and yields are not specified in the aging laws
- Age of oak and origin oak oak not specified
- Only min aging requirements are giving, lots of producers go above min aging requirements
Spanish term of oak commonly seen on labels?.
Roble. Used when a producer doesn’t want to use the min aging law labelling
Styles of Roses (rosado) in Spain? (4)
- Inexpensive bulk
- Pale Provence style
- Classic deeper colour rose with long skin contact
- Expensive, oak matured often a blend of co fermented red and white wine and aged for ext periods
What is the VP category?
Vino de Pago. Single estates with high reputation. Generally La Mancha, Navarra, Valencia and Aragon (none of the top regions)
Spanish VT category?
Vino de la Terra - commonly used for PGI wines like Castilla
Spanish ‘Vino’ category?
Wine without a geographical origin
Point of difference in Spanish wine consumption vs other EU countries? (2)
Low domestic consumption
Trend towards drinking higher quality DO wines (this isn’t a trend in most other EU countries)
Most important export market in terms of Volume for Spain?
France (21% of total volume)
Main export markets of wines by value for Spain?
Germany and UK
Albariño grape budding/ripening?
Mid budding
Early to mid ripening
Like other fleshy varietals like Arneis and Cortese
Most of Spain’s wines white wines are made in what way? (4)
- Protective (SO2 at picking, picking at night)
- Cultured yeast (for aromatics)
- Stainless steel
- Temperature controlled fermentation at 12-16 degrees Celsius