WINES OF THE WORLD 🇪🇸 Spain Flashcards
Main sub-regions of Spain
Galicia, Castilla y León, Rioja, Navarra, Aragon, Catalunya, Valencia and Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha.
Key elements in the topography of Spain
High plateau (meseta) tilted from NE (Pyrenees) to SW (Andalucia), with lower ground formed by several major rivers. Extensive coastline (E-S). Several mountains range.
Climate of Spain
Generally warm. NW is maritime (influence by the Atlantic), high rainfall. N and NE is more continental due the shelter by mountains. Some Mediterranean in NE. S and E is Mediterranean. The meseta in the centre of Spain (600-900 m) is continental (altitude moderates the heat).
Hazards in Spain
Drought in some parts. Heavy storms and mildew in many regions. Spring frost especially in continental areas. European grape moth (combatted using pheromone traps).
Main grape varieties of Spain
Airén (mainly in Castilla-La Mancha, used for brandy), Tempranillo (top wines from Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro), Garnacha Tinta (Rioja, Navarra, Catalunya, Aragon for red and rosé), Bobal (E coast for red and rosé), Macabeo (Catalunya), Monastrell (Valencia and Murcia).
Main training systems in Spain
Many bush vines at low density (the largest vineyard plantings but the third largest producer), especially in the areas with low rainfall. Irrigation was legalised in 1996 (law regulations by Consejo Regulador). Also some old bush vines. Old ungrafted vines especially in Toro and Rueda (sandy soils). Organic practices. Low mechanisation.
Key winemaking operations for premium wines in Spain
Many use temperature control and stainless steel. Some use concrete or eggs, also amphorae.
Key winemaking operations for rosé wines in Spain
Stainless steel and bottled soon for inexpensive, while those more premium stay also in oak.
Key winemaking operations for youthful and fruity wines in Spain
Stainless steel, temperature control, inert gas, cultured yeast, fining and/or filtration. Possibility of carbonic or semi-carbonic maceration for inexpensive and mid-priced.
Key maturation practices in Spain
Oak is common for red, also top whites. Possibility of storing on the lees (more texture).
American oak is common (historical reasons and cheaper), French increased especially in Penedès, Priorat and Ribera del Duero.
Ageing categories, according to the Spanish legislation
- Generic
- Crianza
- Reserva
- Gran Reserva
Requirements about the “Generic” wine in the Spanish legislation for the ageing
No requirements.
Requirements about the “Crianza” wine in the Spanish legislation for the ageing
24+ months for reds (6+ oak) and 18+ months for whites (6+ in oak).
Requirements about the “Reserva” wine in the Spanish legislation for the ageing
36+ months for reds (12+ oak) and 24+ months for whites (6+ in oak).
Requirements about the “Gran Reserva” wine in the Spanish legislation for the ageing
60+ months for reds (18+ oak) and 48+ months for whites (6+ in oak).
Maximum capacity of the ageing vessels according to the Spanish legislation
330 L
Roble
Labelling term for Spanish wines. Oak ageing (usually less than Crianza).
Joven
Labelling term for Spanish wines. Young wine, with no or minimal oak ageing.
DO
Denominación de Origen. PDO wines, 70 DOs.
DOCa or DOQ
Denominación de Origen Calificada or Denominació d’Origen Qualificada. Only Rioja and Priorat. After 10 years of DO. All wines bottled at the producer’s own property. Denomination must have many quality regulations including tasting panel and a process to audit the extra restrictions and regulations.
VP
Vino de Pago. Category for some single estates with high reputations, mainly in Castilla-La Mancha, Navarra, Valencia and Aragon. Use of only own grapes (vinification and maturation in the estate). Wines are within PDO category.
VT
Vino de la Tierra. PGI wines, 40 VTs (Castilla the largest).
Types of wines made in Spain
In the past, there was a great interest in fortified wines (Sherry, Fondillón) and raisined wines from Malaga. Now, a large proportion of inexpensive wine. A few super-premium wines (lower prices than France and Italy). Rosé from many regions (a lot is inexpensive and sold in bulk, increase of very good wines in recent years).
Climate of Galicia
Maritime with many rainfall in Rías Baixas, while in the other parts is warmer with less rainfall.
Main grape varieties of Galicia
Albariño, Godello and Mencía.
Main appellations within Galicia
- Rías Baixas DO
- Ribeiro DO
- Ribeira Sacra DO
- Valdeorras DO
- Monterrei DO
Ribeiro DO
Appellation within Galicia. E of southern Rías Baixas, more sheltered, maritime climate, high rainfall. Mainly whites from Treixadura. Oak for premium wines.
Ribeira Sacra DO
Appellation within Galicia. Inland, following the valleys of the River Miño and River Sil, mainly continental climate, some maritime influence. Stony slopes (hard work), reds from Mencía.
Valdeorras DO
Appellation within Galicia. Up the River Sil, continental with high rainfall. Vineyards at 300 m. Slate soils but also others. Mainly Godello, premium wines in oak.
Monterrei DO
Appellation within Galicia. Close to Portugal, inland, continental climate. Mainly bulk wines, but started good quality with Mencía (riper fruit) and fruity Godello.
Type of soils in Rías Baixas
Free draining soils, sand over granite bedrock.
Climate of Rías Baixas
Maritime, influence by the Atlantic. High rainfall.
Hazards in Rías Baixas
Fungal diseases and rain during harvest.
Main grape varieties of Rías Baixas
95% Albariño. Loureira, Treixadura and Caiño Blanco. 1% reds (Sousón and Caiño Tinto).
Main training systems in Rías Baixas
Mainly pergola (parral), using granite stone to support. Bigger growers use VSP trellising (mechanisation).
Key winemaking operations for wines in Rías Baixas
Protective winemaking. Short maceration, cool fermentation in stainless steel, partial malo in cooler years. Oak fermentation for a few producers, large, old, or new.
Key maturation practices for wines in Rías Baixas
Ageing on the lees (sobre lias) for more expensive wines. One or two years. No stirring in order to avoid oxygen contact.
Sub-zones within Rías Baixas
- Val do Salnés
- O Rosal
- Condado do Tea
- Ribeira do Ulla
- Soutomaior
Types of wines made in Rías Baixas
Mainly Albariño as single varietal.
Types of businesses that operate in Rías Baixas
170 wineries, from small to very large. Mainly co-operatives (Bodegas Martín Códax).
Main appellations within Castilla y León
- Bierzo DO
- Toro DO
- Ribera del Duero DO
- Rueda DO
Climate of Bierzo
Similar to Galician wine regions, continental, but warmer summers, cooler winters and lower but adequate rainfalls. Maritime influence from W.
Type of soils in Bierzo
Fertile silty loam soils for the flat plain and the lower slopes. Mountain slopes at 500-850 m with good drainage, shallow, poor slate soils.
Main grape varieties of Bierzo
Mencía (75%), Godello, Alicante Bouschet (2%).
Key maturation practices for premium wines in Bierzo
Oak ageing.
Types of businesses that operate in Bierzo
Very small vineyard holdings. 50% growers are associated with one of the region’s co-operatives. 75 wineries. Descendientes de J. Palacios and Raul Perez as significant producers.
Key winemaking operations for inexpensive wines in Bierzo
Carbonic or semi-carbonic maceration. No oak.
Types of wines made in Bierzo
Inexpensive/mid- wines for early consumption. Premium and concentrated wines.
Climate of Toro
Continental, low rainfall.
Hazards in Toro
Spring frost.
Main grape varieties of Toro
Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo).
Main training systems in Toro
Low density, mainly bush vines, also ungrafted and old (100+ years).
Key winemaking operations for inexpensive wines in Toro
Carbonic or semi-carbonic maceration.
Key maturation practices for premium wines in Toro
Oak, both American and French.
Types of wines made in Toro
Mainly reds (early drinking or more concentrated style made from Tinta de Toro), also whites (Malvasia or Verdejo) and rosés (Tinta de Toro or Garnacha).
Types of businesses that operate in Toro
Many investors in recent years, so the number of wineries increased. Teso La Monja and Numanthia as significant producers.
Climate of Ribera del Duero
Similar to Toro and Rueda, continental, slightly hotter summers and colder winters. Low rainfall.
Hazards in Ribera del Duero
Frost in spring and autumn.
Main grape varieties of Ribera del Duero
Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), Albillo Mayor.
Main training systems in Ribera del Duero
50% bush vines (25% old). Trellising system for new vineyards.
Key winemaking operations for wines in Ribera del Duero
Trend in less extraction from skins post-fermentation and/or new oak.
Key maturation practices for wines in Ribera del Duero
French or American oak. Premium and super-premium use 50-100 new oak.
Types of businesses that operate in Ribera del Duero
Many investors recently. Vineyard holdings < 1 ha. Vega Sicilia, Dominio de Pingus and Bodegas Aalto as significant producers.
Types of wines made in Ribera del Duero
Mainly reds. Also rosés and whites (2019).
Type of soils in Rueda
Limestone bedrock, with sandy clay sub-layer and a topsoil of stones, free draining and poor.
Climate of Rueda
Similar to Toro and Ribera del Duero, continental.
Main grape varieties of Rueda
Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc.
Main training systems in Rueda
New plantings are VSP trellised. Also some very old bush vines (10%).
Key winemaking operations for inexpensive wines in Rueda
Protective winemaking, cool fermentation, stainless steel, no ageing, cultured yeasts.
Key winemaking operations for premium wines in Rueda
Oak fermentation.
Key maturation practices for mid-priced wines in Rueda
Lees ageing, possibility of lees stirring.
Key maturation practices for premium wines in Rueda
Oak ageing.
Types of businesses that operate in Rueda
60% local producers, significant % from companies that are based outside (Rioja and Ribera del Duero). Ossian and Bodega Belondrade y Lurton as significant producers.