Spain - Other DOs

Question 1

Identify on this map where Murcia and País Vasco (Basque Country) are in Spain.

Answer 1

Question 1

Describe where País Vasco (Basque Country) is located in Spain.

Answer 1

Atlantic coast of northern Spain.

Question 2

What is the climate of País Vasco?

Answer 2

Moderate maritime (a.k.a. Green Spain).

Question 3

What is the physical feature associated with País Vasco?

Answer 3

Atlantic Ocean

Question 4

Select the correct answer.

The winemaking in País Vasco is:

a. Traditional: wild ferments in large neutral botti
b. Traditional: cultured yeasts in new barrique
c. Modern: temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks

Answer 4

c. Modern: temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks

Question 5

What is the main white grape variety in País Vasco?

Answer 5

Hondarrabi Zuri

Question 6

What is the main red grape variety in País Vasco?

Answer 6

Hondarrabi Beltza

Question 7

What are the 3 Txakolina DOs of País Vasco?

Answer 7

1. Bizkaiko Txakolina DO
2. Arabako Txakolina DO
3. Getariako Txakolina DO

Question 8

What is the primary color and style of wine made in País Vasco?

Answer 8

• Dry whites that are lightly effervescent with high acidity.
• Meant for early consumption.

Question 9

Rosés (rosados) and red wines from País Vasco are common or rare?

Answer 9

Rare

Most of the wines made in País Vasco are dry whites with a slight effervescence.

Question 10

What is the traditional food pairing for Txakoli whites?

Answer 10

Txakoli whites are traditionally served with oily seafood.

Question 11

Where is the Murcia region located in Spain?

Answer 11

Mediterranean coast of southeast Spain.

Question 12

What is the climate of Murcia?

Answer 12

Warm Mediterranean

Question 13

True or False:

Historically, Monastrell vines were ungrafted due to the sandiness of the soil.

Answer 13

True

This area avoided phylloxera until the 1980s, nearly one hundred years after the bug entered Spain, and the resulting vineyard decimation allowed the region’s producers to refocus, pivoting away from generic bulk wine production to the cultivation of the drought-resistant, thick-skinned Monastrell.

Question 14

Fill in the blank.

The main red grape variety is Murcia is ______.

Answer 14

Monastrell (Mourvèdre)

Question 15

Fill in the blank.

The main DO in Murcia is ______.

Answer 15

Jumilla DO

Question 16

Fill in the blanks.

The main color and style of wine made in Jumilla DO is ______ made from ______.

Answer 16

Dry red wine focused on pure Monastrell and Monastrell-based blends.

Question 17

Name an important producer of Jumilla DO.

Answer 17

Juan Gil

Question 18

What is the concept and definition of the DO Pago.

Answer 18

• The DO Pago (Vinos de Pago) estates represent 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. In order to apply for DO Pago status, an estate should show international critical praise and a decade’s worth of quality production, although some young Pagos have sped through official channels with astonishing speed.
• Interest in Pagos is notably absent in Spain’s top quality appellations, such as Rioja and Ribera del Duero, where producers have nothing to gain from distancing themselves from a well-known brand.

Question 19

What is the primary color and style of wine made in Pagos DO, and what grapes are used?

Answer 19

Primarily international styles of red wine using international grape varieties.

Question 20

Where in Spain is the greatest concentration of Pagos DO?

Answer 20

Castilla-La Mancha

Question 21

Give 2 examples of Pagos DO.

Answer 21

1. Dehesa del Carrizal
2. Calzadilla

Question 22

In what year was Vinos de Pagos first created?

Answer 22

2003

Question 23

As of 2022, how many Vinos de Pagos are there in Spain?

Answer 23

20