Spanish Wines Flashcards
What is the Spanish hierarchy of standards?
Vino de Mesa Vino de la Tierra (VdlT) Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VCIG) Denominación de Origen (DO) Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa)
World’s greatest/most infuential wine critic?
Robert Parker Jr.
He reviewed his first Spanish wines in 1986 and Spanish wines have captured consumers’ attention ever since.
(Pesquera and Vega Sicilia)
What is the hierarchy of Spanish wine aging?
Joven
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva
Joven
1-2 years
Little to no barrel
Crianza
2< years
1 yr barrel
1 yr bottle
Reserva
3< years
1 yr barrel
2 yrs bottle
Gran Reserva
5< years
2 yrs barrel
3 yrs bottle
What are the three current DOCas?
Rioja
Priorat
Ribera del Duero
What are the seven climates of Spain?
Northwest Green Spain Mediterranean Coast Ebro River Valley Duero River Valley Central Plateau Andalucia The Islands
What are the top ten wine regions in Spain?
Bierzo Campo de Borja Jumilla Penedes Priorat Rías Baixas Ribera del Duero Rioja Rueda Toro
Bierzo
Castilla y León Lighter red wines with heavy fragrance of red fruits Grapes Red: MENCIA and Garnacha White: Doña Blanca, Godello, Palomino
Campo de Borja
Aragón Full bodied bold reds Grapes Red: GARNACHA, Tempranillo, Mazuela White: Macabeo, Moscatel
Jumilla
Murcia Dark reds with flavors of ripe fruit Grapes Red: MONASTRELL, Tempranillo, Garnacha White: Macabeo, Malvasía
Penedès
Catalonia
Refreshing white wines are predominate, but it also produces renowned oak-aged reds
Grapes
Red: Garnacha, Cariñena, Monastrell, Tempranillo
White: Xarel-lo, Macabeo
Priorat
Catalonia
Full bodied reds with deep concentration and remarkable balance.
Newer barrels and higher alcohol levels are used here. The wines from Priorat tend to be more expensive because the grapes are grown on hills, not only making them more difficult to harvest, but also adding greater depth and character.
Grapes
Red: Garnacha, Cariñena
White: Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, P.X.