Spain (General)

Question 1

In regards to Toro as a region, what are the follow:

1. Main grape
2. Main soil type
3. Main style of wine

Answer 1

1. Tempranillo (aka Tinta de Toro)
2. Sandy soils
3. Concentrated reds (old vines)

Question 2

What is the general climate of NW Spain? (3)

Answer 2

1. Maritime climate
2. Continental with maritime influences at altitude
3. Rainfall throughout the year

Question 3

What is the climate and influences of Northern Spain? (3)

Answer 3

Warm Continental climate

Altitude moderates heat

Mountains shelter from winds and rain

Question 4

What is the climate and what are the influences of NE Spain? (2)

Answer 4

Maritime climate with Mediterranean influences

Altitude moderates heat

Question 5

What are the two DOCa/DOQ in Spain?

Answer 5

Rioja

Priorat

Question 6

Soil type on Rias Baixas

Answer 6

Sand over Granite bedrock

Question 7

Albariño as a variety? (4)

Answer 7

Early-mid ripening
High acid
Medium alcohol and body
Green fruit, stone fruit, floral

Question 8

Name the three other main white varieties in Rias Baixas?

Answer 8

Loureira
Treixadura
Casino Blanco

Question 9

Name the two main trellising systems in Rias Baixas?

Answer 9

Pergola

VSP

Question 10

Bierzo climate?

Answer 10

Maritime with Continental influence from altitude and being inland

Question 11

Where are the 2 main areas of Bierzo?

Answer 11

Fertile flat plains (inexpensive lighter styles of red).

Hillside slopes (500m+ altitude), slate soils, low yields, bush vines, higher cost of production, oak

Question 12

Main grapes of Rueda?

Answer 12

Verdejo

Sauvignon Blanc

Both can be blended or single varietal

Question 13

Soul types in Rueda?

Answer 13

Limestone bedrock

Sandy or rocky top soil

Question 14

Rueda trellising system

Answer 14

VSP

Bush vines (very old pre phylloxera)

Question 15

Name a top producer in Rueda?

Answer 15

Ossian

Question 16

Rueda climate?

Answer 16

Extreme Continental with altitude influencing the heat

Question 17

Rueda Climatic influences?

Answer 17

Altitude (700-900m)

Question 18

Best sites in Biero?

Answer 18

Hillside slopes (500m+)
slate/free draining soils

Question 19

Why does Spain have the largest vineyard in the world but they sit 3rd in the world in terms of sales?

Answer 19

Large vineyards of bush vines that can be planted at low densities (less competition for water) are scattered throughout the country

Question 20

Common pest in Spanish vineyards?

Answer 20

Grapevine Moth - managed with pheromone traps

Question 21

Tempranillo grape Ripening/budding?

Answer 21

Early budding

Early ripening

Like Pinot Noir and Gamay

Question 22

Garnacha Budding/ripening?

Answer 22

Early budding

Late ripening

(Like Nebb and Sangiovese)

Question 23

Macabeo is also know as?

Answer 23

Viura in Rioja

Question 24

Mac capacity for oak barrels in Spain?

Answer 24

330L - may differ in some DOs

Question 25

Min aging for Crianza reds?

Answer 25

24 months

Question 26

Min aging for Reserva reds?

Answer 26

36 months

Question 27

Min aging for Gran Reserva reds

Answer 27

60 months

Question 28

Min aging for Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva whites?

Answer 28

12 months less than reds in all categories

All categories 6 months oak

Question 29

Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva oak aging goes up in each category in what increments?

Answer 29

6 months

So crianza 6, Reserva 12, gran Reserva 18

Question 30

Why does the aging categories of Spanish wine give little indication of style, quality and value? (3)

Answer 30

1. Quality and yields are not specified in the aging laws
2. Age of oak and origin oak oak not specified
3. Only min aging requirements are giving, lots of producers go above min aging requirements

Question 31

Spanish term of oak commonly seen on labels?.

Answer 31

Roble. Used when a producer doesn’t want to use the min aging law labelling

Question 32

Styles of Roses (rosado) in Spain? (4)

Answer 32

1. Inexpensive bulk
2. Pale Provence style
3. Classic deeper colour rose with long skin contact
4. Expensive, oak matured often a blend of co fermented red and white wine and aged for ext periods

Question 33

What is the VP category?

Answer 33

Vino de Pago. Single estates with high reputation. Generally La Mancha, Navarra, Valencia and Aragon (none of the top regions)

Question 34

Spanish VT category?

Answer 34

Vino de la Terra - commonly used for PGI wines like Castilla

Question 35

Spanish ‘Vino’ category?

Answer 35

Wine without a geographical origin

Question 36

Point of difference in Spanish wine consumption vs other EU countries? (2)

Answer 36

Low domestic consumption

Trend towards drinking higher quality DO wines (this isn’t a trend in most other EU countries)

Question 37

Most important export market in terms of Volume for Spain?

Answer 37

France (21% of total volume)

Question 38

Main export markets of wines by value for Spain?

Answer 38

Germany and UK

Question 39

Albariño grape budding/ripening?

Answer 39

Mid budding

Early to mid ripening

Like other fleshy varietals like Arneis and Cortese

Question 40

Most of Spain’s wines white wines are made in what way? (4)

Answer 40

1. Protective (SO2 at picking, picking at night)
2. Cultured yeast (for aromatics)
3. Stainless steel
4. Temperature controlled fermentation at 12-16 degrees Celsius