Spanish and Portuguese Wine Regions Flashcards

1
Q

Toro

A

Climate: No maritime influence, surrounded by mountains. Extreme Continental - Short, hot, dry summer, very cold winters

Topography: Meseta Central. HIGH VINEYARDS -Some vines planted above 850m = cool night-time temps throughout the year helps retain acid and fresh fruity

Soils: Alluvial soils but some sandy with limestone subsoils

Grapes: Tempranillo dominate. Full-bodied, Intense fruit, High Alcohol from high daytime temps, sunny and low-yielding bush vines

Wine Style: Joven wines - blend Garanaca, Reservas/Gran Reservas - deep colour and tannic when young with ability to age. Rosés and whites are made in small quantities

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2
Q

Ribera del Duero

A

Climate: Continental Climate, tempered by altitude, High Diurnal Range. Short Growing Season. Short hot, dry summer, very cold winters. Low Rainfall

Topography: Meseta Central (flat high altitude). HIGH VINEYARDS -Some vines planted above 850m = cool night-time temps throughout the year helps retain acid and fresh fruity

Soils: Best soils have limestone contect and large stones to aid drainage

Grapes: Tempranillo dominate grape (95%) - dark red, high tannin, Garnacha, CabSav, Malbec, Merlot are permitted but rarely used.

Wine Style: 100% Tempranillo, shorter ageing than Rioja for deeper color and sweeter tannin, Black Fruit & Plum. Highlighting concentrated fruit flavors and tannins with long macerations and aging for shorter time in new Oak (more New French than American). Some Garnacha made into Rosé

Other: DO for only red and Rosé

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3
Q

Bierzo

A

Climate: Moderate Continental Climate with cooling benefits of maritime influence

Topography: In the mountains between Gallicia & Meseta, Steep stony slopes.

Soils: Quartz & slate soils in mountains

Grapes: Mencia = elegant red wines with naturally high acidity, red fruit aromas

Wine Style: Best wines from old vines. Some makers do unoaked to make keep red fruity aromas others oak for Toast aromas

Other:

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4
Q

Valencia

A

Climate: 2 types. 1. Warm Mediterranean & 2. Mild Continental inland

Topography: SE coast, low altitude on coast, higher inland. Large and spread out DO

Soils: Clay soils in coast, limestone inland

Grapes: Monastrell - dominant red grape variety for youthful & fruity wines, Merseguera - local white variety, Muscat of Alexandria = Moscatel de Valencia, a sweet fortified wine.

Wine Style: Reds are blends. Whites to be drunk young Value for Money wines

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5
Q

Rias Baixas

A

Climate: Moderate, damp climate. Humid conditions cause mildew and rot = vines trained on pergolas to encourage air circulation

Topography: Northern Atlantic Coast. 5 sub-zones with own terrior:

Soils: rocky & alluvial soils (Cambados area)

Grapes: Albariño - refreshing unoaked given high acidity, ripe stone fruit. Wines to be drunk young. Some barrel fermentation but mostly aromatic with high acidity

Wine Style: Some winemakers use some oak or lees to make it richer in style

Other: Some growers are using other trellising systems that are easier to maintain

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6
Q

Jumilla

A

Climate: Hot Mediterranean with long, hot, dry summers and mild winters

Topography: Directly west of Yecla. 50% of vineyards in La Mancha, 50% in Murcia. Vineyards 700m in hills

Terrior: Hot, dry sandy soils

Grapes: Monastrell - buds & ripens late. dominant red grape variety for youthful & fruity wines

Wine Style: Mainly strong red wines w mainly joven wines but some Crianza and Reserva production too.

Reds & Rosados must contain min 50% Monastrell. Some sweet reds made from Monastrell.

Reds are full bodied, hi in alcohol and tannins w black fruit, hints of meat and liquorice.

Other: One of the countries leading quality potential

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7
Q

Yecla

A

Climate: Mediterranean with long, hot, dry summers and mild winters

Topography: SE Coast inland from Alicante.

Terrior: Limestone bedrom with subsoils high in carbonate or sandy topsoil with clay

Grapes: Monastrell - buds & ripens late. dominant red grape variety for youthful & fruity wines

Wine Style: Carbonic maceration for Joven. Predominately Monstrell with only small amount of white produced.

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8
Q

Valdepañas

A

Climate: Hot, Dry Extreme Continental

Topography: Small enclave south of La Mancha plateus surrounded by hills

Soils: Limstone based with good water retention. Some alluvial soils

Grapes: Airén most widely planted, Tempranillo (Cencibel) is main red grape.

Wine Style: Reputation for Quality (better than La Mancha). Wine from fruity to more concentrated and oak matured. Whites must be 100% Airén.

Modern winemaking w temperature controlled fermentation, stabilisation casks, modern filters, etc.

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9
Q

La Mancha

A

Climate: Hot Continental - key hazard is Drought

Topography: 500-700m plateau directly south of Madrid. Most vinerads in Ciduad real (1 of 5 sub-zones)

Soils: Dry, hard & shallow sandy clay

Grapes: Airén - most widely planted for neutral, fresh white wine. Tempranillo (known as Cencibel). CabSav, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay & SavBlanc being planted

Wine Style: Low density bush trained vines. Low training so that leaves can shade the fruit from scorching sun.

Stainless steel and cool fermentation now prominent. Mainly neutral light wines.

Vinos de Pago - top quality single estates. La Mancha has the majority

Other: Investment in tech and expertise makes La Mancha a great source for inexpensive wines

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10
Q

Rioja Alavesa

A

Climate: Cool Maritime. Some Atlantic Ocean influence

Topography: North of the Elbro River. Foothills of Cantarbrian Mountains - shield bad weather from Atlantic. Vines 500-800 meter altitude

Soils: Chalk-rich on south facing slopes

Grapes: Black - Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo (Carignan), Graciano White-Viura (Macabeo), Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca

Wine Style: Lightest wines most finesse.

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11
Q

Rioja Baja

A

Climate: Much less maritme influence. Continental to Mediteranean (in East) Warmer and Drier. . Hotter summers, more severe winters. Low Annual rainfall increases drought risk.

Topography: South of Elbro River. East of Logrono

Soils: Heavy clay soils favors Granacha

Grapes: Granancha grows best here

Wine Style: Deeply colored, High Alcohol. Low Acidity and Flavor intensity

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12
Q

Rioja Alta

A

Climate: Maritime Influence, but warmer and drier than Alavesa

Topography: West of Logrono. South of Ebro. Higher elevation (shorter growing season)

Soils: Clay/red iron rich soils

Grapes: Tempranillo (most widely planted), Granancha, Mazuelo, Graciano White - Viura (Macabeo) (does best on clay)

Wine Style: Semi-carbonic maceration. Longer term - destemmed, crused in traditional method. Oak maturation typically with American Oak. French used for spice

Other: Subdivided into 11 subregions best is Boutenac AC

8 varietals approved for Rioja

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13
Q

Rueda

A

Climate: Continental Climate - cool nights ideal for grapes (elegance)

Topography: Flat plains 600-780m high with Duero flowing west

Soils: Iron-rich soils with good drainage. Chalky soils beside Deuro in north

Grapes: Verdejo. Use Savignon Blanc to blend. Must have 50% Verdejo

Wine Style: Simple and Fruity to Rich and Barrel Fermented

Whites: night harvest, selection tables, cold maceration, temperature-controlled fermentation are now common

Other:

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14
Q

Penedès

A

Climate: 3 Climate Zones:

  1. Coastal Plains = Hottest, Low lying coastal up to 250m, (Baix Penedes - sandy soils)
  2. Inland Valleys = More Temperate. slightly cooler, but still warm 250-500m. Center of Cava Production (Mitja-Penedes - chalky clay)
  3. Hills = Cool Continental. Vines upto 800m climate is moderate = more styles and grape varieties where most Cava is produced. (Alt Penedes - limestone)

Topography: Vines from Mediterranean to hills

Grapes: Granacha & Chardonnay, SavBlanc, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo (Ull de Llebre), Pinot Noir

Wine Style: Granacha can be made red or white

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15
Q

Priorat

A

Climate: Warm Continental, Summers are long, hot and dry, low rain fall, Cool nights provide relief

Topography: Bush vines & Steep slopes mean little mechanization. Planted 100-700m on terraces

Soils: Llicorella - layers of red slate with small particles of mica that sparkle in sun. Help ripen by reflecting and concerving heat. Soil is deep, so vines dig deep to get water, Retains water in summer. Poor nutrient soil = very small yields which increases complexity and intensity

Grapes: Granacha & Cariñena (not widely planted)

Wine Style:

1,800ha v very low yields due to the thick & poor soils & hot climate -> grapes are very expensive.

Mechanisation impossible. Traditionally vines planted en vaso with newer vineyards en espaldera. Key hazards: frost, hailstones

Traditional Priorat is made from low yielding Garnacha & Carinena and aged for long periods in oak, developing rancid aromas of game & mushroom. They are deep colour, highly tannic and hi in alcohol

Modern wines produced from both local & international varieties show intense bramble fruit, powerful tannins & oak characters and have long potential.

Granacha can be made red or white

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16
Q

Catalunya DO

A

Climate: Mixed of Warm Med & Continental with low rain. Dry wind “El Cierzo” keeps moisture down

Topography: Most vineyards south of Barcelona. Coastal plains and hills immediate to west

Soils: Limestone & Clay with good drainage

Grapes: Granacha & Cariñena, Viura (Macabeo)

Wine Style: Broad range of wine styles from Joven to Mistelas and Generosos. Blending wines from varios areas for volume branding.

Other: Almost all Cava made here.

17
Q

Calatayud

A

Climate: Warm Continental with low rain, Cold winters

Topography: Directly SW of Cariñena. most vineyards on south slopes 550-800, on banks of Jalón river (a tributary from Ebro)

Soils: Rocky & friable (brown limestone & loam over slate and gypsum(

Grapes: Granacha & Cariñena (not widely planted)

Wine Style: Inexpensive Fruity, Early Drinking.

Higher Quality made old Grancaha & Carinena from Old Vines, Great flavor and structure

18
Q

Cariñena & Calatayud

A

Climate: Warm Continental with low rain

Topography: South of Ebro River. Most vineyards on rocky plateau surrounded by hills that protect the from cool winds of the Pyrenees

Soils: Red/Brown limestone with rocky sub soil & high levels of calcium carbonate and slate

Grapes: Granacha & Cariñena (not widely planted)

Wine Style: Inexpensive Fruity, Early Drinking.

Higher Quality made old Grancaha & Carinena from Old Vines, Great flavor and structure

19
Q

Navarra

A

Climate: Continental climate (long, hot dry summer and cold winters) with Atlantic influences in the northern zones that moderate the heat and slow the ripening

Topography: Directly north of Rioja Baja w vineyards on the lower slopes of the Pyrenees, descending towards the basin of the Ebro river. 5 zones

Soils: Brownish grey limestone and alluvium soils in Ribera Baja.

Grapes: Reds: Tempranillo (most widely planted), Garnacha, CabSav, Merlot White: Viura, Chardonnay & SavBlanc

Wine Style: Blended with Rioja Varieties, CabSav & Merlot. Rosés - Granacha picked early for High Acid & Low sugar, Med ABV - protectively handed to create refreshing fruity. White - small production - Viura, Chardonnay & SavBlanc

Other: Most vines are trellised (≠en vaso) to maximise exposure to sunlight and facilitate mechanisation. High planting density