Spanish Wines Flashcards
What is the equivalent of the French AOC system in Spain?
DOP or DO; DOCa for regions with highest status (only Rioja & Priorato)
What is Vino de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica?
classification of Spanish wine; lower than DO
What is Vino de Pago?
individual estates that earn special status apart from DO zone
What is Vino de Pago Calificado?
qualified estate wine
What is Vino de la Tierra?
table wine of a demarcated area (>60% grapes from region)
What is fortified wine?
Wines that have alcohol added to them (Sherry in Spain)
What are the classifications of Sherry?
Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, Palo Cortado, and Oloroso
What is a Fino Sherry?
full flor development; pale, light body
What is Manzanilla Sherry?
Fino Sherry aged by sea at Sanlucar de Barrameda
What is Amontillado Sherry?
partial flor development; deeper color, more body compared to Fino Sherry
What is Palo Cortado Sherry?
dry
What is Oloroso Sherry?
no flor; deep color, full body
What are Cream Sherries?
Oloroso sweetened by adding aged sweet wine
How and when are the different styles of fortified wines generally served?
Temperature typically between 45-55deg; Served with tapas
What is the solera system?
fractional blending, old wine is constantly refreshed with younger wine to ensure consistency, wine taken from one criadera and blended into a cask from the next
What are the major grape varieties in Spain?
white - Albarino; red - Tempranillo, Garnacha
How does Spain’s climates influence wine styles?
Sunny, humid with low rainfall, mild winters, key influence from east/west winds; Extreme temperatures help to retain acids and fix color and tannin
How does the soil type in Albariza effect the grape growing?
best for Fino/Manzanilla; chalky with high calcium carbonate and limestone.
How does the soil type in Barros effect the grape growing?
dark brown valley soils, high clay content, best for PX and Moscatel
How does the soil type in Arenas effect the grape growing?
yellowish with chalk and high sand content; blended sweet wines
What is a Nobel wine?
Wine aged for 1 year
What is a Anejo wine?
Wine aged for 2 years
What is a Viejo wine?
Wine aged for 3 years
What is a Reserva wine in Spain?
red: 3 years total, 1 year in oak, white/rose: 2 years total, .5 year in oak
What is a Gran Reserva wine in Spain?
red: 2 years oak, 3 in bottle, white/rose: 4 years total, .5 year in oak
What is a Gran Anada wine?
sparkling wine aged on the lees for >3years
What is VOS?
very old Sherry (>20 years)
What is VORS?
very old rare Sherry (>30 years)
What is Anada?
vintage Sherry
