Spain - SW of France

Question 1

Spain - Major Grapes:

Answer 1

Red: Tempranillo(Work horse), Garnacha, Mazuelo (Carignan), Graciano

White:

Question 2

Spain - Rioja Red Blending Ratios:

Answer 2

Tempranillo = main grape of red Rioja;
traditional blending partners = Mazuelo (Carignan), Graciano, + Garnacha. Together, these 4 (along with Maturana Tinta, authorized for Rioja in 2007) must comprise a minimum 85% of the red Rioja blend, or 95% if destemmed.

“Experimental” grapes such as Monastel or Cabernet Sauvignon may make up the remainder.

Question 3

Spain - White Blending Ratios:

Answer 3

Viura—known elsewhere as Macabéo—is dominant white grape, followed by Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía Riojano, + Maturana Blanca.

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, + Verdejo may be used but cannot account for a more than a combined 49% of the blend

Question 4

Spain - Rosado wine Ratios:

Answer 4

Rosado wines require a min 25% of red grapes

Question 5

Spain - Aging Requirements:

Answer 5

Rioja/Joven(young) = 1st or 2nd year, keep their primary freshness + fruitiness

Crianza =
Red) min of 1 year in casks + a few months in bottle. For White) min cask aging period is 6 months.

Reserva = Selected wines of the best vintages with an excellent potential that have been aged for a
Red) min of 3 years, with at least one year in casks.
White) min aging 2 years, at least 6 months in casks

Gran Reserva =
Selected wines from exceptional vintages which have spent at least

Red) 2 years in oak casks + 3 years in the bottle.
White) min aging 4 years, at least 1 year in casks.

As in Ribera del Duero, Rioja regulations for aging red wines supersede the standard requirements. Red crianza wines require a total two years of aging prior to release, with a minimum year in oak. Red reserva wines are aged for three years, including one year in oak. Gran Reserva red wines must age for at least two years in cask and three years in bottle. Rioja casks must be 225 liters—the size of a barrique. Rioja white wines and rosados are also eligible for these categories: crianza and reserva wines age for two years, and gran reserva wines age for four. All three categories require a minimum six months in cask. 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.

Question 6

Spain - Rivers/Mountains:

Answer 6

Rioja:
Rio Oja(Tributary NS-W) + Rio Ebro(Big NE)
sheltered by Pyrenees Mountains in the NE

Question 7

Spain - Rioja Subzones:

Answer 7

Rioja Alta - Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano, SW
Rioja Alavesa - Most N, Smallest, within Basque
Rioja Baja - Granacha, intro Tempranillo most S, Flat, Hot

Question 8

Spain - Green Spain Encompasses:

Answer 8

Green Spain: includes autonomía of Galicia, which borders Portugal in the NW corner of Spain, + autonomías of Asturias, Cantabria, + País Vasco (Basque Country) along N Costa Verde(green coast).

Question 9

Spain - Galicia Summary:

Answer 9

Galicia is a verdant region of lush vegetation + dense forests, riddled with rías (estuaries) + small rivers cutting through low mountain ranges. Cooler maritime climate of the region is ideal for the production of crisp, refreshing whites, + Galicia is emerging as 1 of Spain’s best areas for such wines. As Nickname “Green Spain” implies, Galicia is a world removed from the popular conception of an arid Spanish landscape.

Within Galicia, there are 5 DOs: Rías Baixas, Ribeiro, Valdeorras, Ribeira Sacra, + Monterrei.

Question 10

Spain - Rías Baixas DO Summary:

Answer 10

90% White grape = Albariño
Rías Baixas DO (“low estuaries”) borders Portugal on the coast + contains five subzones: Val do Salnés, Ribeira do Ulla, Soutomaior, O Rosal, + Condado do Tea.

Albariño comprises classic wines from region, + a wine labeled Rías Baixas Albariño will not contain any blending grapes. If the wine is instead labeled with one of the northern subzones (Val do Salnés or Ribeira do Ulla) it must contain a min 70% Albariño, whereas the southern subzones of O Rosal + Condado do Tea stipulate a minimum 70% of Albariño +, respectively, either Loureira or Treixadura—the favored white grapes in Portugal’s neighboring Vinho Verde—in any combination. Regardless, many of the best producers make pure varietal Albariño, sometimes subjecting the wine to malolactic fermentation + barrica aging, which is indicated on the bottle. Whether oaked or not, classic Albariño wines tend to show stone fruit + citrus flowers, w/ the suggestion of bubble gum + an undercurrent of minerality. Red wines are produced from grapes such as Caiño, Espadeiro + Mencía, but nearly 90% of the vineyard acreage in Rías Baixas is devoted to Albariño.

Question 11

Spain - Ribeiro DO summary:

Answer 11

Exports to England dating to the 17th century, Ribeiro DO is one of Spain’s oldest recognized wine regions, + the wines have always been popular with Spaniards. Located along the Miño River to E of Rías Baixas, region produces red + whites based on Galician varietals—Treixadura is the favored white grape, gradually replacing the neutral, heavier Palomino, + Caiño is preferred for reds. A dried grape wine, Viño Tostado, is a local specialty. The “sacred bank” of Ribeira Sacra DO, named for its large concentration of churches, is located further inland + upriver. Ribeira Sacra encompasses 5 subregions: Amandi, Chantada, Quiroga-Bibei, Riberas do Sil + Riberas do Miño.

Steeply terraced slopes recall the better-known regions of the N Rhône—the Romans also built these terraces, some 2000 years ago. The remote region’s better red + whites: Mencía, Treixadura, + Godello.
Valdeorras DO is Galicia’s E most zone. While some pleasant red + rosé wines are produced, the region’s best wines are clean, fruit-driven, high-acid Godello whites. Monterrei, the S most DO in Galicia, is a small region with only a handful of wineries.