White Grapes of Spain Flashcards
Describe the style of most Spanish white wine
Fresh and Fruity
What processes are generally used to preserve delicate fruit aromas in Spain?
Harvesting at night or early morning.
Fermenting in stainless at controlled temperatures.
What methods are sometimes used in Spain to add texture and introduce flavour to wines?
Oak fermentation or maturation.
Lees stirring
Which white Spanish grape is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc?
Verdejo
What is Verdejo highly susceptible to? What style of wine was it used for in the past?
Oxidisation.
Sherry-like wines.
With protective wine-making, what characteristics does Verdejo display? (flavour, body, acid)
Melon and peach, light-bodied, high-acid
What processes may increase body and richness in Verdejo?
Skin contact and barrel fermentation
Which grape from north-west Spain is increasingly popular?
Albarino
What region and climate is Albarino grown in?
What grape characteristic protects it from it’s climate? What vine training system is commonly used?
Rias Baixis. Moderate, damp, maritime climate.
Thick skins which protect it from fungal disease.
Pergola.
Albarino flavour and acid characteristics?
Citrus and stonefruit. High acid
What is the most planted white grape variety in Spain?
Airen
What is Airen particularly good at coping with?
Extreme heat and drought
Meseta Central
What can be made from Airen?
acceptable still white wine but mostly for Brandy de Jerez.
Viura is the name used in Rioja for which grape? What was it used for traditionally?
Macabeo.
Traditionally heavily oaked white Rioja.
What are the characteristics of modern still wines made from Viura? (maturation, 2 aromas)
Where is it from?
Viura (Macabeo). Unoaked, subtle herb and spice aromas.
Rioja.
