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WSET 3 - Geoff > C30 - Spain (Reviewed) > Flashcards

C30 - Spain (Reviewed) Flashcards

1
Q

Describe Spain climatic zones?

A

The north and north-west coast

  • Moderate maritime climate, dominated by Atlantic weather systems
  • Rainfall and associated risks is high

East coast - From Catalunya in the north to Levante further south

  • Warm Mediterranean climate
  • Many of the vineyards are moderated by sea or altitude Climate becomes increasingly hot the further south it goes

Central Spain - The Meseta Central

  • Hot continental climate
  • Cut off by mountains from the cooling effects of the sea
  • Winter temperatures below freezing and summers are very hot and dry
  • Summer temperatures can be moderated by altitude in certain sites
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2
Q

What are the biggest challenges to grape growing in Spain? What’s the exception? What is the benefit?

A
  • Challenge: Heat and lack of water
  • Exception: North-west Spain of the exception
  • Benefit: The incidence of fungal disease is low
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3
Q

What is the main disadvantage of lack of water for grape growing in Spain?

A

It places a heavy stress on the vine, Water stress can cause:

  • vines may stop transpiration in order to preserve its resources
  • photosynthesis will stop
  • leaves wilt, causing grapes not to ripen;
  • drought can kill a vine.
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4
Q

What is the best way of managing the heat and lack of water availability in Spain? Explain

A
  • Low density - to maximize the amount of water available to each vine
  • Bush-trained vineyards - to increase shading the fruit from excessive heat
  • Wire training is slowly being introduced to facilitate machine harvesting
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5
Q

Summarise the inexpensive red wines of Spain

A
  • Often made without oak
  • Semi-carbonic maceration is used to enhance the fruity nature of these wines
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6
Q

is oak ptyically used for Spain’s best red wines?

A

Yes, they almost always see oak maturation, usually with at least a proportion of new oak

Traditionally American oak was used, but now French oak is also common

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7
Q

What is Spain’s premier red grape variety?

A

Tempranillo

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8
Q

What are the main white grapes used in Spain?

A
  • Viura (know as Macabeo in Catalunya)
  • Verdejo
  • Albarino
  • Airen
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9
Q

What are the main red grapes used in Spain?

A
  • Tempranillo
  • Garnacha Tinta (Grenache)
  • Monastrell (Mourvedre)
  • Graciano
  • Carinena (Carignan, known as Mazuelo in Rioja)
  • Mencia
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10
Q

Where in Spain is Tempranillo grown most widely?

A

Throughout northern and central Spain

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11
Q

What are Tempranillo’s key grape characteristics?

A
  • It’s thick-skinned with a medium acidity
  • Due to its medium acidity, hot growing areas without a high diurnal range can cause the wine to lack the necessary acidity for an ideal balance
  • It is at its best in areas where summer temperatures are moderated by sea and/or altitude
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12
Q

How is Joven Tempranillo wine made and taste like?

A
  • Fermented on its own
  • Semi-carbonic maceration
  • Early drinking style A fresh, strawberry scented Joven wine
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13
Q

With which grapes is Tempranillo most commonly blended in Spain?

A
  • Garnacha
  • Graciano
  • Cariñena/Mazuelo
  • International varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon
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14
Q

What is Grenache in Spanish?

A

Garnacha Tinta

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15
Q

Describe the general profile of Garnacha Tinta in Spain

A
  • High alcohol
  • Early mauration (with some exceptions)
  • Most important Rosados and Priorat
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16
Q

What are the wines of Priorat? How do they achieve this style?

A

Intense, complex, full-bodied reds from Garnacha Tinta From low-yielding, old vines

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17
Q

Describe Mourvedre in Spain

A
  • Known as Monastrell in Spain
  • It is drought tolerant and needs hot sunny conditions to ripen
  • It is most commonly grown in South-eastern DOs such as Yecla and Jumilla

Monastrell in South-eastern Spain is genreally:

  • Deeply coloured
  • Low to medium acidity
  • High tannins
  • High alcohol
  • Full-bodied
  • Flavours of ripe blackberry fruit
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18
Q

Describe Graciano

A
  • Mostly cultivated in Rioja
  • As part of the blend in many of the best wines
  • Add to a blend to add: tannins, acidity and concentrated black fruit aromas to help the wine age
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19
Q

Describe Carignan in Spain

A
  • Cariñena - also known as Mazuelo in Rioja
  • Wines that are high in tannin, colour and acidity
  • Used as a blending partner for Tempranillo
  • Blended with Garnacha Tinta in Priorat to add tannic structure
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20
Q

Describe Mencia in Spain?

A
  • Red grape variety
  • Coming to prominence in Spain - Bierzo DO
  • Requires moderate climates
  • Medium to high acidity
  • Fresh fruit flavours
  • Sometimes a hint of herbaceousness
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21
Q

How can most of Spain’s white varieties be described?

A
  • Fresh and fruity
  • Harvesting at night or early morning
  • Fermenting in temperature-controlled stainless steel
  • Some use Oak vessel for fermentation and maturation as well as lees stirring for the addition of texture and flavours
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22
Q

Describe Verdejo

A
  • White grape variaty in Spain
  • Particularly susceptible to oxidation => was used to make Sherry-like wines
  • With protective wine makeing it can be made in a light-bodied, high acid melon and peach flavour, similar to Sauvignon Blanc (often blended with SB)
  • Can be made in a richer, fuller-bodied style if undergoes skin contact and barrel fermentation
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23
Q

Describe Albariño.

A
  • It’s thick-skinned and thus able to resist fungal disease
  • Grown in North-west of Spain (which is a humid / damp climate)
  • Naturally high in acidity Citrus and stone fruit flavours
  • Can be made into a richer, fuller-bodied style
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24
Q

Describe Airén

A
  • Most widely planted variety in Spain
  • The vast majority of Airén planted in La Mancha in central Spain
  • able to cope with the extreme heat and drought conditions of the Meseta Central
  • Most of the production is used to produce of Brandy de Jerez (although it can be made in acceptable dry whtie wine)
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25
Q

Which other local varieties are planted widely in Catalunya?

A
  • Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo
  • Cava Wine
  • Macabeo is also often used for still wine production
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26
Q

How else is Macabeo known? Where?

A

Viura in Rioja

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27
Q

Describe the Viura grape variety.

A
  • White variety
  • Can be make unoaked and if so has subtle herb and spice aromas
  • Is the mainstay of heavily oaked white Riojas
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28
Q

Which international varieties are successful in Spain? Where?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Chardonnay
  • Most successful in North-east
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29
Q

What are the geographical DO regions of Spain?

A
  1. The Upper Ebro - Rioja, Navarra, Carinena, Calatayud
  2. Catalunya - Penedès, Priorat
  3. The Duero Valley - Ribera Del Duero, Toro, Rudea
  4. The North-West - Rías Baixas, Bierzo
  5. The Levante - Valencia, Jumila and Yecla
  6. Castilla-La Mancha - La Mancha, Valdepeñas - valley of sorrow
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30
Q

What is the most extensive Spanish region designated for the production of Vino de la Tierra

A

Castilla y León, located towards the north of the Meseta Central

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31
Q

Describe Rioja’s region

A

Located around city of Logroño and has 3 main sub-regions

Rioja Alta

  • West of Logroño and south of the Ebro river, planted at a range of altitudes from 500 to 800 metres

Rioja Alavesa

  • West of Logroño on the north bank of the Ebro
  • in the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains, planted at a range of altitudes from 500 to 800 metres
  • The lightest of Rioja; they often have the most finesse

Rioja Baja

  • East of Logroño, mainly on the south bank
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32
Q

Describe the climate of Rioja sub-regions ?

A

Rioja Alta & Rioja Alavesa

  • Moderated by altitude and the Atlantic Ocean
  • shielded from the worst of the Atlantic weather byThe Cantabrian Mountains

Rioja Baja

  • Less maritime
  • Hotter summers and more severe winters
  • Low annual rainfall - making Drought a potential issue
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33
Q

What is the most widely planted variety in Rioja?

A

Tempranillo, but total of 8 varieties are permitted

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34
Q

Describe the general features of Tempranillo in Rioja

A
  • it does best in the cooler western sub-regions - Alta and Alavesa
  • Medium tannins
  • Red fruit flavours
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35
Q

Describe how an red Rioja may be made. What kind of result will this have on the wines?

A

Blending partners:

  • Garnacha, it adds body and alcohol, grows best in Rioja Baja
  • Mazuelo and Graciano - less planted supporting grapes

Early-drinking style

  • Using semi-carbonic maceration
  • Wines with vibrant red-fruit flavours
  • Low levels of smooth tannins

Desgined for aging:

  • Usually destemmed and crushed
  • Undergo traditional fermentation

Oak:

  • Historically aged in American oak, giving pronounced aromas of vanilla
  • Many producers now use oak from France /EU for at least some of their wine for a more subtle, spicy aromas
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36
Q

What style of Rioja are many makers now producing?

A

More subtle, elegant styles

37
Q

What is the most widely planted white variety in Rioja?

A

Viura

38
Q

Describe traditional and modern white Rioja-making and wines

A

Traditional

  • Aged for extended periods in American oak
  • Deliberately oxidised
  • Developed a deep golden colour and nutty flavours

Modern

  • Made with minimal oxygen contact to preserve the maximum amount of fruit
  • Some also use barrel fermenation but with less oxydation
39
Q

Describe Navarra

A
  • Located in upper Ebro streching from the northern and eastern borders of Rioja into the foothills of the Pyrenees
  • Similar climate to that of Rioja, but cooler and wetter nearer the mountains
  • Mostly red wine made from Tempranillo (most planted grape), blended with other Rioja grapes (Garancha, Mazuelo, Graciano), or increasingly with Cabernet or Merlot
  • Qulity range from good value Joven wines to top quality, premium Gran Reservas
  • Very small amount of Rose and white wine (tend to be from Viura, Chardonnay and SB)
40
Q

Describe winemaking for Garnacha-based rosés in Navarra

A
  • Garnacha is picked earlier when acid levels are higher and sugar levels are lower
  • They are handled protectively to create refreshing, fruity wines with medium levels of alcohol
41
Q

Describe Cariñena and Catalyud DOs

A
  • Location: Neighbouring Rioja, the south of the Ebro
  • Climate: Warm continental with low rainfall
  • Main grape variety planted: Garnacha
  • Higher quality wines: made from old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena and have great flavour intensity and structure
  • Cariñena is NOT the most planted variety in Cariñena
42
Q

Describe Catalunya region

A
  • In the north-east corner of Spain
  • Most of the vineyards are South-west of Barcelona on the coastal plain and On hills to the west of Barcelona
  • Catalunya is the only administrative region that has a generic DO for still wines that covers the entire region - Largely to enable the blending of wines from the various areas to provide the opportunity to create significant volumes of branded wine
  • Where nearly all Cava is produced
  • Penedès and Priorat are the two main sub-regions
43
Q

Where is Penedès? Describe its climate and implications

A
  • Immediately to the south-west of Barcelona, from the Mediterranean coast up into the hills
  • Three areas
    • Coastal plain - warm Mediterranean climate
    • Inland valleys - warm climate, but slightly cooler
    • The hills - vines are grown up to 800m - moderate climate
  • As a result, there a wide variety of styles and grapes in Penedès
44
Q

What are the most widely planted varieties of Penedès?

A

Those used for Cava

45
Q

Besides Cava varieties, what are other significant plantings in Penedès?

A

International varieties, such as

  • Chardonnay
  • Gewurztraminer
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Tempranillo (Ull de Llebre - Rabbit eye)
  • Pinot Noir
46
Q

What is Tempranillo called in Penedès?

A

Ull de Llebre (Rabbit eye)

47
Q

Descrive Priorat sub-region and its climate

A
  • Priorat is in Catalunya, within the hills inland from the city of Tarragona
  • Summers are long, hot and dry
  • Annual rainfall is very low
  • Soils:
    • Llicorella: layers of red slate with small particles of mica that sparkle in the sun
    • Help ripening by reflecting and conserving heat
    • Because of their depth, they retain sufficient water throughout the growing season
    • They are cool at night
48
Q

For which grapes is the climate of Priorat ideal?

A

Garnacha and Cariñena

Mostly old vines

49
Q

Why are Priorat wines never cheap?

A
  • Bush vine trained and steep slopes mean that mechanisation is nearly impossible in Priorat, making vineyards expensive and time-consuming to manage
  • Low nutriant soils and older vines mean very lower yield (although it contributes to the complexity and intensity)
50
Q

Describe wines of Priorat

A

Mostly red:

  • High tannins
  • Deeply coloured
  • Medium to high alcohol
  • Concentrated black fruit with toasty aromas from new French oak
51
Q

What varieties can be added to wines of Priorat (besides Garnacha and Cariñena)

A

Some international varieties, especially Cabernet Sauvignon

52
Q

What is the Portuguese name for the River Duero?

A

The Douro

53
Q

What is the climate of Ribera del Duero?

A
  • Short, hot and dry summers and very cold winters
  • Cut off from any maritime influence by a ring of mountains
54
Q

Describe the Ribera del Duero

A

Climate:

  • Short, hot and dry summers and very cold winters
  • Cut off from any maritime influence by a ring of mountains

VineyardsL

  • They are situated on the highest part of the Meseta Central Some vineyards are at over 850 metres
  • Due to altitude, night-time temperatures are cool which helps retain acidity and fresh fruit flavours
55
Q

What colours of wine are made in Ribera?

A

Red and rosé only, although vast majority is Red

56
Q

What is the grape variety of Ribera Del Duero?

A
  • Mostly Tempranillo and the only grape variety in most best red wines
  • Garnacha - only for dry rosé production
  • Also permitted: Cabernet, Merlot and Malbec
57
Q

Describe a typical red wine from Ribera del Duero

A

Dark with high levels of tannins

58
Q

What aspects of grapes are modern winemakers in Ribera Del Duero trying to accentuate? How are they doing this?

A
  • Concentrated fruit flavours and tannins
  • Long macerations and short ageing periods in new oak, increasingly from new French oak rather than American
59
Q

Describe the climate of Toro DO

A

Climate:

  • Similar to that of its neighbour, Ribera del Duero.
  • Short, hot and dry summers and very cold winters
  • Cut off from any maritime influence by a ring of mountains

Main grape variety: Tempranillo

60
Q

Describe the typical red wines of Toro DO

A
  • Full-bodied
  • Intense fruit flavours
  • Full body / high alcohol due to high daytime temperatures, sunny conditions and often low-yielding bush vines
61
Q

What is different about the Joven wines of Toro DO compared with its other wines?

A

There is often a proportion of Garnacha

62
Q

Describe Reservas and Gran Reservas of Toro

A
  • Exceptionally deeply coloured and tannic when young
  • Ability to age well
63
Q

What wines other than reds can be made in Toro?

A

Rosé and white wines in small quantities

64
Q

Describe Rueda region

A
  • Location: in-between Toro and Ribera del Duero
  • Climiate: Continental Cool summer nights
  • Wine: focuses on white wine production based on Verdejo (traditional variety) and Sauvignon Blanc
65
Q

How may wines be labelled in Rueda?

A
  • For SB and Verdejo, they may be made and labelled as single varietal wines
  • For blends: at least 50% of must be Verdejo by law
66
Q

Describe the range of styles made in Rueda

A

From simple and fruity to richer, barrel-fermented versions

67
Q

Describe north-west of Spain

A
  • Climate: cooler and wetter than the rest due to the influence of the Atlantic ocean
  • Wine: known for many of Spain’s best white wines, the most celebrated one coming from Rías Baixas made of Albariño
68
Q

Describe Rías Baixas

A
  • Location: On Spain’s Atlantic coast
  • Climate: Moderate maritime and damp, meaning that vine diseases such as mildew and rot are a common problem
  • Viticultral practices: diseases and mildew combated by training vines onto pergolas to encourage air circulation. Some producers use other training and trellising systems which are easier to maintain
  • Wine: Mostly white wines, red wine is a minority concern
69
Q

Describe the winemaking choice/style for Rías Baixas Albariño

A
  • Most are made into a refreshing unoaked style to take advantage of the grape’s naturally high acidity and ripe stone fruit flavours
  • Some wines are made in a richer style, occasionally with a touch of oak or lees-stirring
70
Q

Describe Bierzo

A
  • Location: North-west Spain, in the mountains that mark the boundary between Galicia and the Meseta Central
  • Climate: Moderate with a cooling maritime influence
  • Wine styles: Mostly red
71
Q

What is the key grape variety of Bierzo? Describe dominant wine style.

A
  • Mencía.
  • Elegant red wines
  • Naturally high acidity
  • Red fruit aromas
  • Many use new oak to add toasty aroma but some dont
  • Best wines come from old vines, grown on the region’s steep stony slopes
72
Q

Describe Levante

A
  • Location: On the Mediterranean coast south of Catalunya
  • The port of Valencia is the distribution hub for wines from the Levante and La Mancha
73
Q

Describe Valencia DO

A
  • Location: large spread-out DO that is a source for value-for-money wines
  • Wines:
    • A large number of local and international varieties
    • Main red grape variety is Monastrell
    • White grape variety domintated by Merseguera
    • Also signficant plantings of Muscat of Alexandria for the local Moscatel de Valencia, a sweet fortified wine
74
Q

Describe Jumilla and Yecla

A
  • Location: In the Levante, further inland
  • Climiate: Hot and arid
  • Wines:
    • Perfect for Monastrell
    • Majority of wine are youthful and fruity in style
75
Q

From which region does almost half of Spain’s total wine production originate?

A

Castilla-La Mancha

76
Q

Describe Castilla-La Mancha

A
  • Location: A vast central area of the Meseta Central to the south of Madrid
  • Wines: Largest DO in Spain that produces almost half of Spain’s total wine
77
Q

Describe La Mancha

A
  • Climiate: Hot continental climate
  • Wine:
    • Airén is the most widely planted grape used for neutral, fresh white wines
    • Airén is in decline, as authorities have encouraged producers to plant Tempranillo, known as Cencibel
    • Other grape varieties planted: Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Syrah Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc
  • Due to significant investment in technology and expertise, it’s an excellent source of inexpensive, well-made reds and whites for the export market
  • It is where top-quality pagos wines began and where majority of the estates that have been awarded the appelation Vinos de Pago reside
78
Q

Describe Valdepeñas

A
  • Location: Part of the Castilla-La Mancha region, Immediately to the south of La Mancha
  • Climate: Hot continental
  • Wines:
    • Better reputation for quality wine compared to La Mancha
    • Most planted grapes is Airén but there is Tempranillo (Cencibel) which is the main red grape variety (either single grape or belend with international grape varieties)
    • Wines range from fruity to more concentrated and oak matured
79
Q

Besides offering a hierarchy of PGI and PDO wines, what else can Spanish wine law define?

A

Specific ageing criteria for red and white wines

80
Q

How are wines labelled if they fall outside of Spanish PGI/PDO law?

A

Vino

81
Q

What is the Spanish for PDO?

A

Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP)

82
Q

What are the three Spanish PDO qualities in ascending order?

A

Denominación de Origen (DO)

  • They should be of a certain minimum quality
  • They must satisfy specifications covering grape varieties, viticulture and location

Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) - Must’ve been a DO for at least ten years and then can apply

Vinos de Pago (VP)

  • Only applies to a small number of single estates with high reputations
  • Estates may only use their own grapes, which must be grown, vinified and matured on their estate
83
Q

How many DOCa are there in Spain? What are they?

A

Two:

  • Priorat DOCa
  • Rioja DOCa
84
Q

What is DOCa called in Priorat?

A

Denominació d’Origen Qualificada (DOQ)

85
Q

What is the traditional Spanish term for PGI wines?

A

Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)

86
Q

What are the four age categories for wines in Spain?

A
  • Joven
  • Crianza
  • Reserva
  • Gran Reserva
    • Only wines from exceptional vintages
    • White and rosé wines are rarely made in this
87
Q

What are the ageing requirements for white wines in Spain?

A
  • Joven - no requirement
  • Crianza - 18 months total, 6 months in barrel
  • Reserve - 24 months total, 6 months in barrel
  • G Reserva - 48 months total, 6 months in barrel
88
Q

What are the ageing requirements for red wines in Spain?

A
  • Joven - no requirement
  • Crianza - 6 months in barrel, 24 months total
  • Reserve - 12 months in barrel, 36 months total
  • Gran Reserva - 18 months in barrel, 60 months total
89
Q

When in Spain are there exceptions to the general ageing requirements?

A

In some regions such as Rioja, there are even longer requirements for total ageing and barrel ageing

WSET 3 - Geoff (45 decks)

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