Spain/Portugal Flashcards
Facts about Spain’s acres under vine and exports
Largest planted acerage under vine than any wine producing country.
Where do they fall in terms of exports
Third after France and Italy.
Where is Spain
Comprises most of Iberian Penninsula with Portugal to the west.
Bodies of water that surround Spain
Atlantic Ocean to the North and Northeast. Mediterranean Sea to South and East
Climate of Spain
Diverse. Cool Maritime in North. Warm and arid in South.
Is Spain Mountainous
Yes mountainous interior with raise flat flat plateau called the Meseta
What are the two broad wine categories of quality
Wines with geographic indication and wines without geographic indication (Vino).
How are the wines with geographic indication ordered in terms of quality
IGP/Vdit wines (basic regulation), DOP/Vcig (waiting for DO status), DO (equivalent to AOC in France). DOCa (Priorat and Rioja). Separate from all of this is Vinos de Pagos (single estate wine).
Northwest Spain: Rias Biaxas DO is characterized by
Maritime climate and rivers. Borders Portugal. Alluvial soil, granite, slate. Atlantic Ocean high rainfall. Green Spain. Stainless steel fermentation. Albarinho-crisp dry aromatic white.
What percentages of grapes grown in Green Spain are Albarinho
90%
If Albarinho is varietally labeled what percentage grapes is needed
100%
What is different about this type of labeling
Only in Rias Baixas is wine varietally labeled.
Three main areas of Rioja DOCa
Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Baja
What is Rioja named after
Oja, a tribuatory off of the Ebro River
Rioja was the firs DOCa true or false
True
Topography and location of Rioja
North Central Spain with Pyranees to the Northeast and the Cantabrian Mountains to the Northwest
Overall climate of Rioja is what
Continental due to rain shadow and protection of surrounding mountains
Main white grape in Rioja
Viura
Main red grapes in Rioja
Tempranillio and Garnacha
What kind of oak is employed in Rioja style wines and why
French. Bordeaulais taught them during phylloxera in France.
Crianza
Two years aging before release
Reserva
Three years aging before release (aged in bottle).
Gran Reserva
Two years aging in oak and three years in bottle. Outstanding quality draws high prices. Made only in outstanding vintages.
What is Ribeiro del Duero known for
Termpranillo only known as Tinto Fino. Climate has major diurnal temp shifts because it is located on the Meseta.
What kinds of wines are produced in Ribeiro de Duero
Wines get very ripe but maintain acidity due to 2500 ft. elevation (highest in spain) for grape growing and cold nights. Wines are primary red. Some rosado.
Describe Toro and it’s wine
Tempranillo called Tinto de Toro. Hot dry summers. Wines are rich and intense due to hot dry climate
Describe Rudea
Verdejo and Sauv Blanc. Crisp dry whites. Region Continental
Two main wine regions in Catalunya
Priorat and Penedes
Where is Penedes DO/Cava DO located and what type wine does it produce
Near Barcelona. Border of Pyranese/France. Cava from Xarel-lo, Parallela and Macabeo. Sparkling wine in the traditonal method
Describe Priorat DOCa
Primary grapes are Garnacha and Carinena grown on licorella (Black slate and Quartzite) schisty soils. Rugged mountainous area only miles from the mediterranean. Climate is hot and dry. Vines must dig deep. Wines are intnese dry red
Where is Portugal
Southwest portion of Iberian penninsula on Atlantic Coast
Climate in northern Portugal
Cool, humid, rainfall, across from Green Spain
Moving south and into the Alentejo the climate is what
Mediterranean
The inside area of the country has what climate
Continental. Arid and dry
Landscape for viticulture
Is rugged and difficult
How many indigenous grapes does Portugal have
Over 200
What are the two broad categories on the wine Pyramid
Wines with Geographic indication (IGP and DOP) Wines without Geographic Indicaton
What is wine without Geographic Indication labeled
Vinho
Describe IGP level
85% of grapes must be from stated region. Alcohol level regulated. Various grapes allowed depending on region
Describe DOC/DOP
Smaller and specific wine regions where varietal and alcohol level is regulated. Often located within a DOP or VR
What is Vinho Verde DOP
Green youthful wine drunk young made from Loreio, Alvarinho, Traljadura. Wine is low in alcohol, bright acidicty, Often slightly effervescent with a shot of carbon dioxide injected before bottling.
Describe Douro DOP
Was the FIRST demarcated wine region in the world.
What is Douro DOP famous for
Fortified port wine which shares the same appellation
What do Douro DOP and Duero have in common
Douro and Duero both run along the Douro river Portugal and Spain respectively in the northern area of Portgual
What are the three areas of the Douro
Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, Douro Superior. They get progressively warmer as they move inland from the Atlantic.
Topography and soil of Douro
Rugged, wild, remote. Schist
Primary red grape variety
Tourgia Nacional red varietals
Land and viticulture on the Douro
Vineyards are steep and terraced. Single vineyards or Quintas. Red wines are rich, dry, and powerful
