Spain - General Flashcards
What are the aging requirements for red wine in Rioja? List the aging requirements for each designation
Red Wine
Crianza - 2 years, 1 year in oak
Reserva - 3 years, 1 year in oak, 6 months in bottle
Gran Reserva - 5 years, 2 years in oak, 2 years in bottle
What are the aging requirements for white wine in Rioja? List the aging requirements for each designation
White Wine
Crianza - 18 months, 6 months in oak
Reserva - 2 years, 6 months in oak
Gran Reserva - 4 years, 6 months in oak
What are the aging requirements Crianza wine in Rioja and Ribera del Duero? List the aging requirements for both red and white
Crianza
Red - 2 years, 1 year in oak
White - 18 months, 6 months in oak
What are the aging requirements Reserva wine in Rioja and Ribera del Duero? List the aging requirements for both red and white
Reserva Red - 3 years total 1 year in oak
+ RIOJA HAS 6 months in bottle
Reserva White - 2 years, 6 months in oak
What are the aging requirements Gran Reserva wine in Rioja and Ribera del Duero? List the aging requirements for both red and white
Gran Reserva Red
5 years, 2 years in oak
+ RIOJA has 2 years in bottle
White - 4 years, 6 months in oak
What are the aging designations and requirements for white/rosado wine in general throughout Spain?
Crianza - White/Rosado 18 months (1.5 years) of aging 6 months in bottle
Reserva - White/Rosado
2 years of aging
6 months in bottle
Gran Reserva - White/Rosado
4 years of aging
6 months in bottle
What are the aging designations and requirements for red wine in general throughout Spain?
Crianza - Red
2 years of aging
6 months in bottle
Reserva - Red
3 years of aging
1 year in bottle
Gran Reserva - Red
5 years of aging
18 months in bottle
What are the only 2 DOCa’s in Spain?
DOCa Denominación de Origen Calificada
There are only 2 wine regions recognized as DOCa: Rioja and Priorat.
What does DOCa mean in Spain?
DOCa Denominación de Origen Calificada
A step above the DO category recognizing the top quality wine regions in Spain.
What are the aging requirements for Crianza wine in general throughout Spain? List the aging requirements for both red and white
Red - 2 years of aging, 6 months in oak
White - 1.5 years of aging, 6 months in oak
Which regions have their own aging requirements?
Rioja, Ribera del Duero.
The aging requirements are the same for both except Rioja Tinto requires bottle aging:
- Rioja Reserva - 6 months
- Rioja Gran Reserva - 2 years
What are the aging requirements for Riserva wine in general throughout Spain? List the aging requirements for both red and white
Red - 3 years of aging, 1 year in oak
White - 2 years of aging, 6 months in oak
What are the aging requirements for Gran Riserva wine in general throughout Spain? List the aging requirements for both red and white
Red - 5 years of aging, 18 months in oak
White - 4 years of aging, 6 months in oak
What year were the Spanish DOP laws established?
1932
What is Tempranillo called in Ribera del Duero?
Tinto de Pais and Tinto Fino
What is Tempranillo called in Rueda and Toro?
Tinto de Toro
What is Tempranillo called in La Mancha & Valdepeñas?
Cencibel
What is Cencibel?
Tempranillo
What is Tinto de Pais?
Tempranillo
What are the differences between the aging requirements for Rioja & Ribera del Duero?
Rioja requires bottling aging.
Reserva - 6 months in bottle
Gran Riserva - 2 years in bottle
What is another name for the Viura grape?
Macabeo
What is another name for the Macabeo grape?
Viura
What is the most widely planted grape varietal in Spain? (White or Red)
Airén
Which wine regions are recognized as DOCa?
Rioja - 1991
Priorat - 2009
What region is Bodegas López de Heredia located in?
Rioja Alta in Rioja
What are the aging requirements for a DOP wine labeled Noble?
Noble: 18 months aging in a cask of less than 600 L or bottle
What are the aging requirements for a DOP wine labeled Añejo?
Añejo: 24 months aging in a cask of less than 600 L or bottle
What are the aging requirements for a DOP wine labeled Viejo?
Viejo: 36 months aging in a cask of less than 600 L or bottle, demonstrates marked oxidative character
What is the name of the raised plateau in the center of Spain?
Meseta Central
True or False. Producers may age white and rosado Crianza wines in a non-oxidative environment like stainless steel.
True. Producers may age white and rosado Crianza wines in a non-oxidative environment like stainless steel.
True or False. Producers may age white and rosado Riserva wines in a non-oxidative environment like stainless steel.
False. Only for Crianza.
What are the names of the mountains that create a rain shadow for the wine regions in North Central Spain?
NE Border - Pyrenees Mountains along the border with France creates a rain shadow.
NW Border - Cantabrian Mountains
SW Border - Iberian Chain Mountains
What are the names of the wine regions in North Central Spain?
LAN - La Rioja, Aragón and Navarra
What percentage of the 5 authorized red grapes are required in La Rioja red wines?
Minimum 95% of 5 authorized red grapes (if destemmed), minimum 85% of 5 authorized red grapes (if whole clusters or whole berries are used). “Experimental” grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon may make up the remainder.
What are the 5 authorized grapes are required to make up the majority of La Rioja Red wines?
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo (Carignan) Graciano, Maturana Tinta (authorized for Rioja in 2007)
What are the only white grapes permitted in white blends in La Rioja?
Viura—known elsewhere as Macabéo—is the dominant white grape. Chardonnay, Tempranillo Blanco, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo, along with Viura, are the only white grapes permitted in blends
What are the 5 white grapes permitted in white blends in La Rioja?
Viura—known elsewhere as Macabéo—is the dominant white grape. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo Blanco, and Verdejo and Viura, are the only white grapes permitted in blends.
What percentage of authorized grapes are required in La Rioja Rosado wines?
Rosado wines require a minimum 25% of the 5 previously mentioned primary red grapes of Rioja.
What percentage of authorized grapes are required in La Rioja white wines?
100% authorized white grapes
What are the 3 subzones of La Rioja?
Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental
What are the characteristics of the wines from each of the 3 subzones of La Rioja?
Rioja Alta - Acidity and structure
Rioja Alavesa - Freshness
Rioja Oriental - Extract and alcoholic warmth
What is the category called for Traditional Method Sparkling Wine in Rioja?
Vino Espumoso de Calidad
What are the vinification requirements for Vino Espumoso de Calidad?
Vino Espumoso de Calidad - The category for traditional method sparkling wine requires the following:
- Grapes must be hand-harvested
- The entire winemaking process must take place at the same facility (that is, it cannot be moved at any stage of the process).
- Brut Nature, Extra Brut, and Brut styles are allowed
- No additions, coloring or filtration at any point throughout the production
- The Transfer Method is approved for bottle sizes smaller than 750 ml and larger than 3L
What are the 3 categories for Vino Espumoso de Calidad? What are the minimum lees aging requirements?
Vino Espumoso - Minimum of 15 months lees aging
Reserve - Minimum of 24 months lees aging
Vino Espumoso Gran Añada - Minimum of 36 months lees aging. 100% from a single vintage, and state the vintage on the label.
What are the authorized grapes are required to make up the majority of La Rioja Red wines?
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano, Maturana Tinta (authorized for Rioja in 2007)
What are the 5 authorized grapes are required to make up the majority of La Rioja Rosado wines?
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano, Maturana Tinta (authorized for Rioja in 2007)
What major changes happened to Rioja’s classification system in 2018?
Vino Espumoso de Calidad - A new category for Traditional Method Sparkling Wine. Any Sparkling Blanco or Rosado must follow the same assemblage requirements as still Blanco and Rosado wines.
Viñedos Singulares Labeling - As of 2018, producers may register their Viñedos Singulares and print official single vineyard names on their labels.
Where in Spain is the ancestral home of the Carignan/Mazuelo grape? Name the region, autonomía and subzone or DO.
Region: North Central Spain
in the Cariñena DO
Spain’s long-standing delimited zones (dating to 1932), is the ancestral home of the Carignan/Mazuelo grape
Which DO is one of Spain’s longest-standing delimited zones? Name the region, autonomía and subzone or DO.
Cariñena DO is one of Spain’s long-standing delimited zones (dating to 1932)
What is Spain’s largest autonomía?
Castilla y León, or Old Castile, is Spain’s largest autonomía.
How many autonomías does Green Spain have? What are they?
4 total. Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and País Vasco (Basque Country)
What are the 4 autonomías of Green Spain?
Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and País Vasco (Basque Country) along the northern Costa Verde, or green coast.
Which autonomías are located along the Costa Verde in Spain?
Asturias, Cantabria, and País Vasco (Basque Country) are located along the northern Costa Verde, or green coast.
Where is the Costa Verde located in Spain?
Along the northern coast of Spain
What are the 5 subzones of the Rías Baixas DO?
Val do Salnés Ribeira do Ulla Soutomaior O Rosal Condado do Tea
What are the names of Spain’s oldest recognized wine region? Which autonomía are they located in?
Established in 1932, Cariñena DO (Aragon) & Ribeiro DO (Galicia, Rias Baixas) are Spain’s oldest wine regions
What is the name of the river that runs along the southern border of Ribeiro DO and eastern border of Ribeira Sacra DO?
Miño River
What is the name of the raised plateau in the center of Spain?
Meseta Central - the arid central plateau of Spain
What type of wine is considered a local specialty in Ribeiro DO (Galicia)?
A dried grape wine, Viño Tostado, is a local specialty
What is the preferred white grape in Ribeiro DO?
Treixadura
What is the preferred red grape in Ribeiro DO?
Caiño
What river runs through Rioja?
The Ebro River
How did Rioja get its name?
Rioja is named after the Oja, a smaller tributary of the Ebro River.
What are the primary grapes used in the production of white and red wine in Ribeiro DO?
White - Treixadura is the favored white grape, replacing the neutral, heavier Palomino.
Red - Caiño is preferred for reds.
What are the primary grapes used in the production of white and red wine in Ribeira Sacra DO?
White - Treixadura and Godello.
Red - Mencía
Which Spanish DO can claim Viño Tostado, a dried grape wine as their local specialty?
Ribeiro DO
True or false: Asturias and Cantabria do not produce any DO wine
True! But there are 3 DO zones within
Where is Vega Sicilia located?
Ribera del Duero
Where is R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia located?
In La Rioja, within the Rioja Alta subzone
When were the first 2 DO’s in Spain Established?
Established in 1932, Cariñena DO (Aragon) & Ribeiro DO (Galicia, Rias Baixas) are Spain’s oldest wine regions
When was the Rioja DOCa established?
1991
What are the requirements for wines with “O Rosal” subzone on the label?
O Rosal: min. 70% combined Albariño and Loureira
What are the requirements for wines with “Condado do Tea” subzone on the label?
Condado do Tea: min. 70% combined Albariño and Treixadura
What are the requirements for wines with “Val do Salnés or Ribeira do Ulla” subzone on the label?
Northern Subzone (Val do Salnés & Ribeira do Ulla) - Minimum 70% of recommended varieties: Albariño, Loureiro, Treixadura, and Caiño Blanco.
What are the 5 DO’s of Galicia?
Within Galicia, there are five DOs: Rías Baixas, Ribeiro, Valdeorras, Ribeira Sacra, and Monterrei.
What are the 5 subzones of Ribeira Sacra?
Amandi Chantada Quiroga-Bibei Riberas do Sil Riberas do Miño
What types of wines are produced in Galicia’s Ribeiro DO?
Ribeiro DO is one of Spain’s oldest wine regions.
The region produces red and white wines based on Galician varietals—Treixadura is the favored white grape, gradually replacing the neutral, heavier Palomino, and Caiño is preferred for reds.
A dried grape wine, Viño Tostado, is a local specialty.
Which autonomías in Green Spain do not contain any DO’s?
Asturias and Cantabria do not produce any DO wine
What is the name of the river that runs through the Bierzo DO in Castilla y Leon?
Sil River
What are the dominant red and white grapes in the Bierzo DO in Castilla y Leon?
Red: Mencia
White: Palomino
Which producer is famous for its old-vine Mencía-based wines sourced from mountainside schist soils?
Descendientes de José Palacios
Founded by Alvaro Palacios, and his nephew (already a marquee name in Priorat) José Palacios in 1999.
They achieved instant recognition for Bierzo with their biodynamic “Corullón” bottlings: extracted, old-vine Mencía-based wines sourced from mountainside schist soils.
Which DO in Castilla y Leon shares a border with Portugal?
Arribes DO
Which DO is known for their lighter rosé (clarete) wines?
Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO is known for lighter clarete (rosé) wines.
Where is the Juan García red grape varietal primarily grown?
Arribes DO
How many DO’s exist in Castilla y León?
9 DO’S OF CASTILLA Y LEÓN
Bierzo DO → NW
Arribes DO → SW. Boarding Portugal
Tierra de León DO → Central
Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO → South. Next to Toro
Toro DO → South. Between Tierra VdZ and Rueda
Rueda DO → South. East of Toro
Cigales DO → Central. Above Rueda
Arlanza DO → East. East of Cigales & North of Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero DO → East. East of Cigales & South of Arlanza
What are the names of the 9 DO’s in Castilla y León?
Bierzo DO Arribes DO Tierra de León DO Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO Toro DO Rueda DO Cigales DO Arlanza DO Ribera del Duero DO
Which Galician DO shares a border with the Bierzo DO in Castilla y León?
Bierzo borders Valdeorras in Galicia.
Which Castilla y León DO shares a border with the Valdeorras DO in Galicia?
Bierzo borders Valdeorras in Galicia.
Where is bodega Dehesa la Granja located?
Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO
Where is bodega Fariña located?
Toro DO
Where is bodega Numanthia-Termes located?
Toro DO
Where is bodega Bodegas Pintia (Owned by Vega Sicilia) located?
Toro DO
Where is bodega Descendientes de José Palacios located?
Bierzo DO
What is Tempranillo called in the Cigales DO? Toro DO? Ribera del Duero DO?
Toro DO - Tinto de Toro
Cigales DO - Tinto del País
Ribera del Duero DO - Tinto Fino
When did Ribera del Duero achieve DO status?
1982
Where are the highest elevation vineyards in Spain?
In Ribera del Duero. On the high central plateau (Meseta) at 2,500 feet, these are the highest elevation vineyards in Spain.
Where in Spain are you likely to find Old Tempranillo vines, often 25+ years and older?
Old Tempranillo vines are the signature of Ribera del Duero. Vines 25 years and older represent 35% of all vines planted — meaning a significant percentage of the vines have roots deep and nourished enough to survive the harsh climate and produce even yields with minimal worries compared to younger vines.
What is the regional capital of Rioja?
Haro
What change occurred for the regional wine laws for Ribera del Duero in 2019?
As of 2019, white wines can be produced and sold under the Ribera del Duero DO. Wines must contain a minimum of 75% of Albillo Mayor.
What is the Spanish DO known for the rejuvenation of the Verdejo grape by Marqués de Riscal in the 1970’s?
Rueda DO in Castilla y León
What are the main towns in Ribera del Duero?
Aranda de Duero and Peñafiel in the Duero River Valley,
What are the different soil type in Rioja?
Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa share a similar soil structure, with a high proportion of calcareous clay, whereas Rioja Oriental, the hottest subregion, contains more alluvial soils and ferrous clay.
What are the soil types in Rioja Alavesa?
Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa share a similar soil structure, with a high proportion of calcareous clay.
True or false. White and rosado Reserva wines may be aged in a non-oxidative environment like stainless steel.
FALSE. Whereas producers may age white and rosado crianza wines in a non-oxidative environment like stainless steel, reserva wines must remain in oak or bottle for the the minimum period of aging.
True or false. White and rosado Crianza wines may be aged in a non-oxidative environment like stainless steel.
TRUE. Whereas producers may age white and rosado crianza wines in a non-oxidative environment like stainless steel, reserva wines must remain in oak or bottle for the the minimum period of aging.
Which Spanish region/subzone is carbonic maceration commonly used to produce joven wines?
Rioja Alavesa is the smallest, northernmost zone (it is located within Basque country) and Tempranillo here often produces vino joven wines for early consumption. Carbonic maceration may be employed for such wines
What are the soil types in Rioja Alta?
Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa share a similar soil structure, with a high proportion of calcareous clay, whereas Rioja Oriental, the hottest subregion, contains more alluvial soils and ferrous clay.
What are the names of the 3 most recent DO Pagos in Navarro?
Señorio de Arínzano and Prado Irache in Tierra Estella, and Bodegas Otazu in Valdizarbe
What are the soil types in Rioja Oriental?
Rioja Oriental, the hottest subregion, contains more alluvial soils and ferrous clay.
What are the main grape varietals in Navarra?
Garnacha and Tempranillo are the major red varieties. Chardonnay plantings have spiked in the last two decades, making it Navarra’s most prominent white variety, but white grapes account for only about 7% of vineyard acreage. Red grapes of French origin, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir, are on the rise.
What is Navarra known for?
Navarro has historically been famous for their rosado bottlings. Today, however, red wine accounts for approximately 60% of Navarra’s production, with rosado wines representing only 30% of the region’s output.
What is the significance of the following producers?
- Señorio de Arínzano in Tierra Estella
- Prado Irache in Tierra Estella
- Bodegas Otazu in Valdizarbe
They recently recieved DO Pago status in Navarra
What are the main red and white grape varietals in Navarra?
Garnacha and Tempranillo are the major red varieties. Chardonnay plantings have spiked in the last two decades, making it Navarra’s most prominent white variety, but white grapes account for only about 7% of vineyard acreage. Red grapes of French origin, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir, are on the rise.
What are the main red and white grape varietals in Campo de Borja in Aragon?
Campo de Borja
Garnacha is 2/3 of the vineyard acreage.
Red / Rosado Wines - Garnacha and Tempranillo
White Wines - Viura.
What are the main red and white grape varietals in Cariñena DO in Aragon?
Garnacha also dominates but it is also the ancestral home of the Carignan/Mazuelo grape, but today the grape is a secondary player in the region’s blends.
What are the 4 DO’s of Aragon?
Aragon, to the east of Rioja and Navarra, contains four DOs: Campo de Borja, Calatayud, Cariñena, and Somontano.
What are the main red and white grape varietals in Somontano DO in Aragon?
Somontano DO (“beneath the mountain”) lies in the foothills of the Pyrenees near Catalonia, producing wines from local grapes such as the white Alcañón and red Parraleta, as well as a larger compliment of Spanish and international varietals.
Which Spanish DO is known for old vine Mencia?
Ribera del Duero
Within CASTILLA Y LEÓN: Describe where the 9 DO’s are located.
Bierzo DO
→ NW corner
Arribes DO
→ SW corner. Boarding Portugal
Tierra de León DO
→ North Central
Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO
→ South. West of Toro
Toro DO
→ South. Between Tierra VdZ and Rueda
Rueda DO
→ South. East of Toro
Cigales DO
→ Central. NE of Rueda and west of Ribera del Duero
Arlanza DO
→ NE corner. NE of Cigales & North of Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero DO
→ SE corner. East of Cigales & South of Arlanza
What is the most common trio of grapes used for Cava production?
Monastrell, Garnacha, Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Parellada, Macabeo, Xarel-lo (Your Answer)
Select the style(s) of wine produced in Ribera del Duero.
Sparkling
White (Missed)
Rosé (Missed)
Red (Your Answer)
Select the DOCa region(s) of Spain.
Rioja (Your Answer)
Montsant (Your Answer)
Ribera del Duero (Your Answer)
Priorat (Missed)
Jumilla (Your Answer)
Cava is produced in multiple regions of Spain.
True
What is the most widely planted red grape in Spain?
Tempranillo
The Llicorella black slate soil is most notably found in which region?
- Rioja
- Ribera del Duero
- Priorat
Priorat
Which body of water most influences Rioja?
Ebro River
Which sub-region of Rioja has the coolest climate?
Rioja Alavesa
Gran Reserva is an aging designation for red wines only. True or False.
False
