Spain, General

Question 1

Name the Autonomías of Spain (16)

Answer 1

Andalucía
Aragón
Asturias
Balearic Islands
Basque Country/País Vasco
Canary Islands
Castilla-La Mancha
Castilla y León
Catalonia (Catalunya)
Extremadura
Galicia
La Rioja
Madrid
Murcia
Navarra
Valencia

Question 2

When phylloxera struck France in the mid 1800s, what happened in Spain?

Answer 2

• French winemakers and merchants brought in Spanish wine (particularly Rioja) to bridge the gap
• Bordeaux-trained Marqués de Riscal and Marqués de Murrieta brought back varietals and techniques
• barrique aging (although in American oak) and estate bottling

Question 3

Why do the Spanish historically use American Oak?

Answer 3

(Quercus Alba)

• Used because of Spain’s history of transatlantic colonial trade
• economic decision

Question 4

4 traditionalist Rioja wineries that started in late 19th C

Answer 4

• López de Heredia
• CVNE
• Bercero
• La Rioja Alta

Question 5

Where did Cava get it’s start?

Answer 5

San Sadurní d’Anoia

Question 6

When did phylloxera arrive in Spain?

Answer 6

early 20th C

Question 7

Which regions were governed by Consejos Reguladores in the 1930s?

Answer 7

Rioja, Jerez, Málaga

Question 8

What is the significance of Francisco Franco to wine in spain

Answer 8

Fascist leader

dark period for wine until his death in 1975

Question 9

What winemaking techniques did Miguel Torres contribute to Catalonia in 1960s?

Answer 9

Stainless steel and temp-controlled fermentation

Question 10

When was Spain’s Denominación de Origen first approved?

Answer 10

1970

Question 11

Describe the tiers of quality wines in Spain?

Answer 11

DOCa and DO - highest quality, equal to EU’s DOP
(Denominación de Origen Calificada)

VCIG (Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica) - also considered DOP in new EU scheme, but once stepping stone to DO

VdlT (Vino de la Tierra) - equal to IGP in EU

*DO Pago (Vinos de Pago) - theoretically superior to DO, estate must surpass basic DO requirements (lower yields, etc, show international praise, decade of quality production)

Question 12

What are the two DOCa regions in spain?

Answer 12

Rioja (1991)

Priorat (2009)

Question 13

Describe aging designations for all of Spain, and how are they different in Rioja and Ribero del Duero?

Answer 13

RED:
Crianza - 2 yrs // 6 mo in oak (1 yr oak for Rioja/RdD)
Reserva - 3 yrs // 1 yr in oak (same for Rioja/RdD)
Gran Reserva - 5 yrs // 1.5 yr in oak (2 yrs oak for Rioja/RdD)

White:
Crianza - 1.5 yrs // 6 mo in oak
Reserva - 2 yrs // 6 mo in oak
Gran Reserva - 4 yrs // 6 mo in oak

For whites in Rioja/RdD, Crianza and Reserva both 2 yrs with 6 mo in oak, but reserva must be aged in oak/bottle (oxidative) while Crianza white/rosado can be in stainless

Question 14

What are the three additional terms beyond crianza, reserva etc that can be found on DOP wine label?

Answer 14

Noble: 18 months in cask <600 L (or in bottle)
Añejo: 24 months in cask <600 L (or in bottle)
Viejo: 36 months in cask, demonstrates marked oxidative character