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WSET 3 > Spain > Flashcards

Spain Flashcards

1
Q

Albarino

A

Grown in NW (cool) area, becoming fasionable

Thick skinned, not susceptible to fungal issues in wet area

High acid, refreshing, citrus, stone fruit

Can be made rich and full-bodied

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2
Q

Castilla-la Mancha - La Mancha

A

Largest Spanish DO

AIREN - produces neutral, fresh whites

TEMPRANILLO (Censibel) on the rise

Inernational varieties very popular here: Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc

Good source of inexpensive, well-made reds for export

Also source of top-quality VINOS de PAGO

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3
Q

Castilla-la Mancha - Aldepenas

A

South of La Mancha, identical climate but better reputation

AIREN most widely planted

Significant TEMPRANILLO

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4
Q

Spanish Labelling

A

PGI wines - Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)

PDO wines – Demoninacion de Origen Protegida (DOP)

Denominacion de Origen (DO)

Requirements on quality, varieties, viticulture, location

Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOCa)

DOs can apply after 10 years good standing

Currently 2 – Rioja and Priorat

Priorat: Catalan Denominacio d’Origen Qualificada DOQ

Vinos de Pago (VP)

Small number of estates with high reputations

Must be estate grown and estate made/mature

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5
Q

Spanish Red Grapes

A

Inexpensive reds made w/ no oak, semi-carbonic maceration

Better wines with new oak, traditionally American, but now some French oak

Tempranillo

Garnacha Tinta - Is Spanish for Grenache

Monastrell - Is Spanish for Mourvedre

Graciano

Carinena – Spanish for Carignan (Mazuelo in Rioja)

Mencia

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6
Q

Catalunya

A

NE Corner of Spain, vineyards South of Barcelona

Generic DO to enable blending from various areas for significant volumes

Where almost all CAVA is made

2 primary sub-appellations

Penedes

Priorat

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7
Q

Carinena

A

Spanish for Carignan

Called Mazuelo in Rioja

Wines high in acid, tannin, and color

Small portions blend nicely with Tempranillo in Rioja

Blended with Garnacha in Priorat to enhance tannin structure

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8
Q

Catalunya - Priorat

A

Summers are long and hot with little rain

Best (llicorella) soils red slate w/ mica reflect and conserve heat to help ripen and also retain sufficient water

Cool night temperatures provide some relief from the heat

Old Garnacha and Carinena vines, bush vines on steep slopes

Expensive and time consuming to manage these

Low nutrients and vine age = very small yield

White and rose are rarely made

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9
Q

DUERO VALLEY - RIBERA del DUERO

A

Short, hot, dry summers and very cold winters

Vinyards on the highest part of Meseta Central, over 850m

Cool nights even in summer retain acidity

Tempranillo primary and 100% in most of the best wines

Most trying to accentuate concentration of their wines with long macerations

Short aging in new barrels (as AO but now more FO)

Cab Sauv, Malbec, Merlot also permitted but rarely used

Garnacha also, but mostly for rose

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10
Q

NORTH WEST SPAIN - BIERZO

A

In the mountains, moderate climate with maritime influences

MENCIA

Elegant reds, high acid, red fruit

Best from old vines on steep stony slopes

Some unoaked to preserve perfumed red fruit

Many use new oak for toasty notes

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11
Q

DUERO VALLEY - RUEDA

A

By Toro DO, focuses on white production

Continental climate ideal for Verdejo and Sauv Blanc

Can make single varietal wines

Or blends of at least 50% Verdejo

Styles can range significantly

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12
Q

DUERO VALLEY - TORO DO

A

Similar climate to Ribera del Duero

Predominantly Tempranillo

Full-bodied, intense fruit, high alcohol

Joven wines: usually some Garnacha

Reservas: deeply colored and tannic, can age well

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13
Q

Navarra

A

Climate similar to Rioja, but cooler and wetter near mtns

Tempranillo most widely planted

Blends w/ other Rioja varieties or Cab Sauv and Merlot

Wines range from Joven to Gran Reserva

Garnacha for rose, picked early, refreshing, fruity, med alcohol

Very small amount of white made Viura, Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc

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14
Q

Graciano

A

Highly valued but hard to grow

Mostly in Rioja and blended with the finest wines

Small amounts used to add black fruit, acid, and structure

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15
Q

Monastrell

A

Spanish for Mourvedre

Thick skinned and drought tolerant, but needs heat and sun

Grown in SE regions

Full-bodied, high tannin, high alc, low-to-med acid, ripe blackberry

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16
Q

NORTH WEST SPAIN - RIAS BAIXAS

A

On the coast, a moderate damp climate

Pressure from mildew and rot are common

Vines trained on pergolas to encourage air circulation

ALBARINO

Refreshing unoaked style, high acid, ripe stone fruit

Some made in a richer style, maybe with oak and lees

Reds also, but not much

17
Q

Catalunya - Penedes

A

Large DO SW or Barcelona

3 climate zones

  • Hottest is coastal plain – Mediterranean
  • Inland valleys – warm but cooler than the coastal plain
  • Hills – vines grown up to 800m – Moderate

Most planted grapes are whites for CAVA

Significant international varietal plantings of Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc, Gewurz, Merlot, Cab Sauv…

18
Q

Rioja Red Wine Styles

A

Early drinkers may go semi-carbonic

Wines for aging often destemmed and traditional ferment

Some producers use heavy cap mgt and extend maceration

Most are going for more elegant wines

Oak has a defining role in Rioja

Traditionally aged on AO

Now many using FO or EO for more subtle spices

19
Q

Red Priorat Wines

A

Wines know for their complexity and intensity, NOT CHEAP

Deeply colored, high tannin, med-to-high alc, black fruit

Often toasty notes from new FO

Mostly Carnacha and Carinena but some Cab Sauv

20
Q

Aging Definitions

A

red tot / red oak white tot / white oak

Joven 0 / 0 0 / 0

Crianza 24 / 6 18 / 6

Reserva 36 / 12 24 / 6

Gran Reserva 60 / 18 48 / 6

Anything falling outside is simply labelled VINO

Some regions have longer aging requirements (Rioja)

Note that Gran Reserva only produced in exceptional vintages

Whites and Roses rarely made as Gran Reserva

21
Q

Spanish Climate

A

North and NW coast MODERATE MARITIME climate – atlantic weather, rain

East coast from Catalunya to Levante is WARM MEDITERRANIAN, with sea breeze and altitude impacts

MESETA CENTRAL: large plateau in central Spain, cut off from sea influences, HOT CONTINENTAL summer temperatures moderated by altitude – cool nights

Other than NW Spain, heat and lack of water are the natural challenges

Low-density, bush-trained vines for shade and water conservation

Some wire training is happening for mechanization

22
Q

Carinena and Calatayud

A

South of Navarra, WARM CONTINENTAL

Garnacha is the main variety

Inexpensive, fruity wines for early drinking

Higher quality from old-vine Garnacha and Carinena

Note that Carinena is NOT the main varietal in DO with its name…

23
Q

Mencia

A

Spanish RED that suits moderate climates

Fresh fruit, med-to-high acid, hint of herbaceousness

24
Q

Garnacha Tinta

A

Spanish for Grenache

High alc, tendency to mature early

Used for Rosados

Also in Priorat, low-yielding vines make complex, full-bodied reds

25
Q

Upper Ebro - Rioja

A

Cantabrian Mtns shield from worst of Atlantic weather

  • Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta - cooler at 500-800m
  • Rioja Baja - Less maritime, hotter summers

Mostly red production - Tempranillo

Main player in most blends, best in cooler WEST

Med tannin, med alcohol, red fruit

Blends w/ Garnacha (body / alcohol) Mazuelo and Graciano too

26
Q

The Levante - Jumilla and Yecla

A

Situated inland with hot, dry climates

Mostly Monastrell, for youthful, fruity style

27
Q

Verdejo

A

Highly susceptible to oxidation, was for sherry production

With protective winemaking, similar to Sauv Blanc

Light-body, high acid, melon and peach

Often blended w/ Sauv Blanc

Sometimes w skin contact to make a fuller-bodied style

28
Q

Rioja Whites

A

Eight allowed varietals, most widely planted is Viura

Traditionally (not popular now)

Aged in AO for deep golden color, nutty flavor

Intentionally oxidized

Modern production

Protected style to maximize fruit

Some making less oxidized barrel-fermented whites

29
Q

Airen

A

Most widely planted grape in Spain – much in La Mancha

Can cope with extreme heat and drought in Meseta Central

Can be made into OK dry whites

Most is made into Brandy de Jerez

30
Q

Spanish White Grapes

A

Most are fresh and fruity, harvested at night or early morning

SS Fermented and controlled to retain delicate fruit aromas

Some oak aging, lees stirring used to add texture and flavors

Verdejo

Albarino

Airen

Parellada, Xarel-lo, Macebeo (is Viura in Rioja)

31
Q

The Levante - VALENCIA

A

Spread out region with value wine production

Monastrell is most planted red

White dominated by Merseguera

Lots of Muscat of Alexander used for Moscatel de Valencia, a sweet fortified wine

32
Q

Tempranillo

A

Spain’s premier black grape, widely grown

Thick-skinned and med acid, needs warmth do develop flavors

Heat without diurnal shift cause acid to drop out

At it’s best where sea breeze or altitude moderates high temps

JOVEN wine, early drinking, semi-carbonic w/ fresh strawberry

Also blended for concentrated age-worthy styles

WSET 3 (23 decks)

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