Spain & Portugal Flashcards
Describe the climate of Spain ( 3 zones )
North and NW - moderate maritime dominated by the Atlantic
East Coast from Catalunya to the Levante - warm Mediterranean
Meseta Central - Hot Continental
With the exception of the NW what are Spain’s biggest challenges in growing grapes. What configuration of vines is used to overcome this
Heat and lack of water
Low density, bush trained vines maximise available water and shield the grapes from sunburn
Describe the use of oak between inexpensive and premium wines
Inexpensive unlikely to see oak and semi carbonic maceration often used
Premium almost always sees oak and a proportion sees new oak
What is Spains premium red grape and where is it typically grown
Tempranillo is grown all over the North and Central regions
Describe the Tempranillo grape.
Thick skinned, medium acid
It requires a hot climate to ripen fully but it’s lower acidity can mean what if there isn’t a big enough diurnal swing
If the nights do not cool down sufficiently the grapes will ripen too quickly and will lose acid
What type of location does Tempranillo grow best
Hot sites moderated by elevation or by the sea
With what is Tempranillo commonly blended
Garnacha, Graciano, Carinena, Cabernet
What is the full name for Grenache and Mourvedre in Spain. What kind of wines do they produce in Spain
Garnacha Tinta - High alcohol, med tannin, low acid. Used in Roses
Monstrell - full bodied, intense, simple, high tannin, low to med acid, black berry fruit
Apart from Tempranillo, Garnacha and Monastrell what are 3 other black Spanish grapes
Carinena ( Mazuelo ), Graciano, Mencia
Why is Carinena blended with Garnacha in Priorat
To give the wine additional tannin
Why is Graciano added to Tempranillo
Adds concentrated black fruit, acid and tannin
Describe Mencia. What kind of climate does it like
Med - high acid, fresh fruit and herbaceousness. Moderate
What 2 words describe the whites of Spain
Fresh and fruity
What do they do to in the winery to preserve the fresh fruit character
Pick at night and ferment in temp controlled SS tanks
Oak fermenting and maturing still practiced
What is it about Verdejo that made it suitable for making a certain style of wine
Prone to oxidation - sherry like wines
With protective winemaking what style of wine does Verdejo make
Light high acid, melon and peach
What can be done to Verdejo to make it into a richer fuller style
skin contact and barrel fermentation
Given where Albarino is grown what feature of the grape make it particularly suited to that region
Its thick skin makes it resistant to fungal disease
What is Alvarino profile
High acid, citrus, stone fruit
Apart from Verdejo and Alvarino what are 4 other Spanish white grapes
Parellada, Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Airen
What is the most widely planted grape in Spain - where is it planted and what is most of it used for
Airen. La Mancha
Production of Brandy de Jerez
What is Spanish for PDO. What more traditional terms a are still used
Denominacion de Origen Protegida ( DOP )
Denominacion de Origen (DO)
Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOC)
What does VP stand for in Spain. What is this
Vinos de Pago. As small group of prestigious estates with high reputations. Must grow and vinify their own grapes only
What term is used for PGI wines in Spain
Vino de la Terre ( VdlT)
the term Joven means the wine spent aging and how long in oak
None
total age / oak age for Crianza red / white
24 / 6 18 / 6
total age / oak age for Reserva red / white
36 / 12 24 / 6
total age / oak age for Gran Reserva red / white
60 / 18 48 / 6
what is Macabeo called in Rioja
Viura
what international varietals are grown in Spain exp NE
Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, SB
what are the 6 principle DO regions of Spain based on climate and grape variety
Upper Ebro, Catalunya, Duero Valley, NW, the Levante and
Castilla la Mancha
what is one Spainish region designated for production of VdlT wine
Castilla y Leon
what is the principle city of the Rioja. What are the 3 sub regions
Logrono. Rioja Alavasa, Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja
Describe the regions of Rioja Alta and Alavasa
Alavasa is situated West of Logrono on the north bank of the Ebro in the foothils of the Cantabrian Mts. Alta is also west of Logrono but further south. Both area have vineyards at elevations of 500 to 800 m and are moderated by the Atlantic and shielded by the Cantabrian Mts
Describe the region of Rioja Baja
To the east of Logrono mostly on the south of the Ebro. Its climate is less maritime and it is hotter
What grapes are grown in Rioja
Tempranillo ( ( Alta and Alavasa ), Garnacha ( Baja ), Graciano, Mazuelo,
How are many early drinking Rioja wines fermented
Carbonic Maceration
How are wines meant for aging typically fermented in Rioja
Pre and Post extended maceration, Aggressive cap management
Red Rioja wines were typically aged in what sort of oak giving what typical flavor. Now what is being used more and with what additional aromas result
American - vanilla. French - subtle spice
Describe the historic trends in Rioja white wines
Trad white Rioja was made from Viura and aged for a significant period in American oak giving the wines a golden color and a nutty flavor. Modern producers are making wine protectively to yield fresh light wines. Some are also barrel fermenting but these wines are far less oxidative than the trad wines
Where is Navarra located in relation to Rioja
From the N and E borders of Rioja to the foothills of the Pyrenees
What is the most widely planted grape in Navarra. What is blended with increasingly in modern trends
Tempranillo
Cabernet and Merlot
Navarra produces Rose and White from which grapes
Rose - Garnacha ( picked early )
White - Viura, Chardonnay, SB
What are the climates of Carinena and Calatayud. What is the most common grape and style of wine
Warm continental low rainfall
Garnacha. Inexpensive garnacha based wines and higher quality wines made from old vine Garnacha and Carinena
In terms of appellation law what does Catalunya have that no other wine region in Spain has
A DO that covers still wine production that spans the entire region
Describe the 3 sub regions of Penedes
Hottest coastal plain. Inland valleys a little cooler, further inland in the hills ( upto 800m ) it is moderate
In addition to Cava grapes what is grown in Penedes
Gewurz, Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, SB, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo
Why is Priorat suited to Garnacha and Carinena
Priorat has long dry summers which is ideal for the late ripening grapes
What are the best soils in Priorat. What is it made of..what properties does it have
llicorella. Red slate with particles of mica. Reflects and conserves heat. Retains water
Is mechanization practiced in Priorat
No - steep hills and bush vines
Describe typical Priorat wine
Deeply colored, tannic, med to high alcohol, black fruit, toasty french oak, liquorish
Describe the summers and winters of RDD
Short hot summers very cold winters
Where are the vineyards of RDD and how does this affect the grapes
At significant elevation ( 850m ) which provides cooler temps esp at night so grapes retain acid and fruit flavors
Are whites made in RDD
No Red and Rose only
What is the principle grape of RDD. Describe the wines it produces
Tempranillo. Dark tannic wines
Apart from Tempranillo what other reds can be grown in RDD
Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha
what is the climate of Toro DO
Similar to RDD with high daytime temps, sunny conditions and low yielding, old bush vines
what is the primary grapes of Toro and what is the profile of the wines
Tempranillo. Full bodied, intense fruit and high alcohol
In Joven wine from Toro what is generally included in the blend with Tempranillo. Describe the Reserva and Gran Reserva
Garnacha.
Very deeply colored and tannic when young…age well
Where is Rueda. What style of wine does it focus on
Between Toro and RDD. White wine made from Verdejo
Which other white varietal is important in Verdejo. In blends of SB and Verdejo what is the minimum of Verdejo
SB. 50%
What is the climate of Rias Baixas
Moderate and damp
What training method is common in Rias Baixas and why
Pergolas to improve air circulation to avoid fungal diseases due to the damp
What is the most common style of wine in RB, what grape is used and what is the profile
Unoaked whites from Albarino. Citrus and stone fruit flavors occasionally oak is used and lees stirring
Where is Bierzo. What style of wine is made there
In the Mts between Galicia and Meseta Central. Elegant reds from Mencia with high acidity abd red fruit
What is the major city of the Levante
Valencia
What are the dominant red and white grapes of DO Valencia. What additional white grape is planted and what kind of wine is it used for
Monastrell / Merseguera
Muscat of Alexandria for sweet fortified Moscatel de Valencia
where is Monstrell principally grown in the Levante
Jumilla and Yecla
Where does almost half Spain’s wine production come from
Castilla La Mancha
What is the largest DO in Spain. What is the most widely planted grape there. What kind of wine does it produce
La Mancha. Airen
Neutral, simple fresh whites
What is causing a decline in Airen plantings in La Mancha
Authorities trying to encourage planting of Tempranillo, and other international varieties like Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, SB and Chardonnay
Where are the majority of the estates that hold Vinos De Pagos
La Mancha
What is Tempranillo known as in La Mancha
Cencibel
What DO is immediately south of La Mancha. What can be said about the quality of the wine there
Valedepenas. It is better than La Mancha
What are the principle grapes of Valedepenas
Tempranillo and Airen
Describe the climate of Portugal
Much of Portugal is maritime due to the influence of the Atlantic however inland areas are hot and continental. Elevated regions mitigate some of the hotter temps.
What are the 5 main wine regions of Portugal
Vinho Verde, Douro, Dao, Bairrida, Atletejo
Where is Vinho Verde and what is its climate. What particular challenges does this create for wine growers
NW corner, moderate maritime with a lot of rainfall. Leads to damp conditions, vigorous canopy grown and disease pressure.
What system of trellising was common in Vinho Verde and what is now more common and why
Pergolla to increase airflow around grapes and minimise fungal disease. More common now to see spur pruned VSP canopy management used to maximise airflow and allow for mechanisation.
Describe classic Vinho Verde white
Pale lemon, high acid, low alcohol ( 8 - 11.5% ). Lower alcohol usually off dry. Wines with a quality indicator, sub region or grape variety on the label can be up to 14% abv
What are Vinho Verde whites made from
Louiero, Arinto, Alvarinho
Where is Vinho Verde Alvarinho made. How does it differ from other VV whites
Sub Region of Moncao e Melgaco
It has slightly more ABV ( 11.5 - 14 ) and riper more tropical aromas
What is Portuguese for PDO. What is the more traditional term
Denominacao de Origem Protegida ( DOP )
Demominacao de Origem Controlada ( DOC )
What is the Portuguese for PGI. What is the more traditional term
Indicicao Geografica Protegeda ( IGP )
Vinho Regional
What are Portuguese wines without a region labelled as
Vinho
Are black grapes allowed in VV. If so what are they like
Yes. Reds are deeply colored and tannic, Roses are fresh and fruity
What is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and where is it located
Douro 80km east of Porto and stretches from the Marao Mts to the Spanish border
On what 5 grapes does Douro rely for production of port and unfortified wines
Touriga Nacional Touriga Franca Tinta Roriz ( Tempranillo ) Tinta Barocca Tinta Cao
Describe the red wines of Douro
Deeply colored, full bodied, ripe high tannin rich black fruit. Best examples show toasty new oak
Describe the whites of Douro
Whites from high elevations can show fresh varietal fruit and med to high acid
Where is Dao, what is its climate and what makes it suitable for growing grapes
80km South of Douro in a mountainous region. Cold wet winters and warm dry summers. Vineyards planted 200 - 400 m above sea level with large diurnal range
What grapes are the whites of Dao made from. Describe them
Encruzado. Range from light and fresh to richer for barrel fermented versions
What are the principle red grapes of Dao. What are the reds typically like
Touriga Nacional
Tinta Roriz
Jaen ( Mencia )
Alfrocheiro
Reds from Dao after often delicate red fruit, soft tannin and high acid. Reds made from Alfroceiro produce a deeply colored wine with aromas of blackberry and strawberry.
Where is Bairrada and what is its climate
Between Dao and the Atlantic Ocean. Maritime climate with rainy winters and warm summers
Describe the principle black grape of Bairrada and what kind of wine does it make
Baga is a late ripening small thick skinned grape giving deeply colored tannic wines with rich black fruit flavors
What can be done to soften the harsh tannins of Baga
Pick later, gentler crushing and maceration as well as blending with other black grapes
As well as Baga what other varietals are important in Bairrada.
Touriga Nacional Alfroceiro Cabernet Merlot Syrah
What are the indigenous white grapes of Bairrada
Bical Maria Gomes
Where is Alentejo and how many sub regions is it split into, What style of wines are produced in the Northern and Central Southern subregions
SE Portugal. Split into 8 subregions
Cooler and wetter N subs produce more elegant wines while the hotter central and S subs produce richer wines
What black grapes are common in Alentejo. What is the typical red wine style
Aragones Trincadeira Alicante Bouschet Touriga Nacional Syrah Deep in colour with soft high tannin, full body with rich expressive fruit
What are the white grapes of Alentejo. What style of wine do they produce
Antao Vaz
Roupeiro
Fruity and floral with med to high acid
What is the largest regional wine appellation in Portugal
Vinho Regional Alentejano based around Alentejo DOC but covering a far wider area.
Apart from Alentejano what are other areas important for Vinho regional wines
Lisboa
Peninsula de Setubal
Tejo
