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Andalucia Flashcards

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1
Q

What is known as “the meeting place of continents”?

A

British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar situated near Andalucia’s southernmost tip. This gateway has linked southern Europe to North Africa for centuries.

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2
Q

Name Spain’s most notable contributions to the world that have their roots in Andalucia.

A
  • Flamenco
  • Tapas (small portion of food served with wine)
  • Sherry
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3
Q

Why was the criaderas y soleras system developed?

A

This system was developed in order to manage a surplus of wine stemming from multiple generous harvests during the 18th century.
As it turned out, the new fractionalized blending & aging system also created a more consistent & higher-quality product.

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4
Q

Where is Andalucia located?

A

This autonomous region is the southernmost region of Spain.
It is bordered by Extremadura & Castilla-La Mancha to the north, Murcia to the east, the Mediterranean to the south & east, and Portugal & the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
It is Spain’s 2nd largest & most populated region.

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5
Q

Name the 8 provinces of Andalucia.

A
  1. Almeria
  2. Cadiz
  3. Cordoba
  4. Granada
  5. Huelva
  6. Jaen
  7. Malaga
  8. Sevilla

Each named after its capital city.

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6
Q

What is the capital of Andalucia?

A

Sevilla

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7
Q

What is the climate in Andalucia?

A

Mediterranean w/ maritime & continental influences
* rainfall is winter-dominant
* Azores High contributes hot, dry summers
* inland reaches have some of the warmest average temperatures in Spain (Sevilla & Cordoba)
* July/August are hottest months
* coastal areas less extreme temperature fluctuations
* eastern area has lowest overall temperatures (Jaen & Granada)
* impacted by both Levante & Poniente winds
* 12-21in/300-800mm annual rainfall

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8
Q

Andalucia has one of the wettest areas on the Iberian Peninsula as well as the driest area in Europe. What are they?

A

Wettest:
* Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park: borders the northern reaches of the Cadiz & Malaga provinces

Driest:
* Cabo de Gata: in the Almeria province (>6in/160mm annual rainfall)

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9
Q

Name the mountains in Andalucia.

A
  • Sierra Morena: forms a natural border between Extremadura & Castilla-La Mancha to the north
  • Sistema Betico: in the south; consists of 3 mountain chains:
    1. Cordillera Prebetica: most located in Murcia & Castilla-La Mancha
    2. Cordillera Subbetica: northern range; covers much of northeastern Andalucia
    3. Cordillera Penibetica: southern range; covers much of southeastern Andalucia
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10
Q

Which is the highest mountain range on the Iberian Peninsula?

A

Sistema Betico

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11
Q

What is the highest peak in mainland Spain?

A

Pico de Mulhacen (11,414ft/3,479m)
Located in the Sierra Nevada range (part of the Cordillera Penibetica, and hence the Sistema Betico range) in the province of Granada.
The 3rd highest in continental Europe.

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12
Q

Name the 2 prevailing winds affecting southern Spain.

A
  • Poniente: cool, humid winds from the west (Atlantic Ocean); appears as an evening sea breeze
  • Levante: hot, dry wind blowing from the east
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13
Q

What is the importance of the Poniente & Levante in regards to Sherry production?

A

The climatic conditions engendered by these 2 winds creates the ideal environment for the development of flor, a film of surface yeast that blooms atop some styles of sherry while aging in cask.

The influence of the Poniente is particularly noticeable in the Manzanillas produced in Sanlucar de Barrameda which are said to carry a distinguishable “hint of the sea.”

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14
Q

Which province in Andalucia has vines planted at some of the highest elevations in Europe?

A

Granada (3,937ft/1,200m)

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15
Q

Name the rivers of Andalucia.

A
  • Odiel River
  • Tinto River
  • Guadalete River: flows through sherry country
  • Guadalquivir River: flows through sherry country
  • Barbate River

Most of these originate in the Sierra Morena and Sistema Betico, flow across this region on their way to the Atlantic Ocean. Their courses are typically long & run through predominantly flat terrain.

The rivers that flow into the Mediterranean are shorter & descend from the Sistema Betico:
* Guadiaro River
* Guadalhorce River
* Guadalfeo River
* Andarax River
* Almanzora River

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16
Q

What soil types are found in Andalucia?

A
  • Sierra Morena (northern border): shallow, limestone, clay
  • near Sistema Betico (eastern reaches): deep, slate, clay, & limestone
  • DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry/DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda: albariza
  • DO Montilla-Moriles: pockets of albero (albariza)
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17
Q

Describe albariza.

A

This soil has a white hue & is extremely rich in calcium carbonate. It ranges from 30-80% chalk w/ limestone, clay & sand comprising the balance.

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18
Q

How do vines benefit from albariza soil?

A

This soil is vital to the success of the vines as it reflects sunlight (creating a cooler mesoclimate), retains humidity, & stores water from winter rains by forming a hard crust at the surface during the hot summer months.

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19
Q

Which 3 varieties dominate the landscape in Andalucia?

A
  • Palomino Fino: primary grape in sherry production
  • Pedro Ximenez: used as sweetening agent for sherry
  • Moscatel: used as sweetening agent for sherry
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20
Q

What are the most popular white varieties in Andalucia?

A

Local:
* Pedro Ximenez
* Viririego

International:
* Chardonnay
* Sauvignon Blanc

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21
Q

What are the dominant red varieties in Andalucia?

A
  • Tempranillo
  • Garnacha Tinta
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Syrah
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22
Q

What vine training methods are used in Andalucia?

A
  • en vaso: many
  • espaldera: some
  • vara y pulgar: sherry-producing areas

Mechanization is implemented where possible, but many wineries still opt to tend vineyards by hand for quality.

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23
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Andalucia?

A

This region is best known for fortified & sweet wine production, but produces the most versatile range of wine styles in Spain:
* vinos generosos
* vinos dulces
* still
* espumosos

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24
Q

Name the DOPs of Andalucia.

A
  • DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry (1933)
  • DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda (1964)
  • DO Malaga (1933)
  • DO Montilla-Moriles (1945)
  • DO Condado de Huelva (1964)
  • DO Sierras de Malaga (2001)
  • VC Granada (2009)
  • VC Lebrija (2009)
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25
Where is **DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry** located?
This wine region is in the **Cadiz** province in the western portion of the **Andalucian** coast.
26
Where does **DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry** get its name?
This wine region gets its name from the **3** areas where its popularity was historically highest: * Spain ("**Jerez**") * France ("**Xeres**") * England ("**Sherry**")
27
Where is **DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda** located?
This wine region is located w/in the geographic boundaries of **DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry**.
28
What does **DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry** & **DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda** share?
* production zone * grape varieties * production techniques * protection from the same *Consejo Regulador*
29
What is the climate in **DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry**?
**Mediterranean** * minimal threat of frost * 25in/620mm annual rainfall
30
What soil types are found in **DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry**?
* ***Albariza*** (*chalk*, *limestone*, *clay*, *sand*) * ***barros*** (*clay*) * ***arenas*** (*sand*)
31
How long has wine been produced in **Jerez**?
Nearly 3,000 years.
32
What is the "***Marco de Jerez***"?
This refers to the **9** towns in which the sherry vineyards are located. 1. Jerez de la Frontera 2. Sanlucar de Barrameda 3. El Puerto de Santa Maria 4. Trebujena 5. Chichlana 6. Puerto Real 7. Rota 8. Chipiona 9. Lebrija
33
Name the **3** distinct zones within **DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry** & **DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda**
* **Zona de Produccion** (Production Zone): incorporates the **9** towns suitable for growing grapes for the production of sherry & **Manzanilla**; soils range from the white, *chalky* ***albariza*** to the lesser-desired ***arenas*** (*sand*) & ***barros*** (*clay*) * **Jerez Superior**: a sub-division of the **Zona de Produccion** consisting of only vineyards planted in ***albariza***; **~92%** of the region's vineyards * **Zona de Crianza**/*Sherry Triangle* (Aging & Maturing Zone): the only area sherry may be labeled as **DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry** or **DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda**; includes the towns of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa Maria, & Sanlucar de Barrameda
34
What style of wine is produced in **DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry** & **DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda**?
**100% *Generoso*** (Fortified/sherry)
35
Name the grape varieties authorized for **DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry** & **DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda**.
* **Palomino Fino** * **Pedro Ximenez** * **Moscatel** (de Alejandria)
36
Where is **DO Malaga** located?
This wine region is located in the **Malaga** province in south-central **Andalucia**, along the *Mediterranean* coast.
37
What is the climate in **DO Malaga**?
**Mediterranean** * 12-28in/300-700mm annual rainfall
38
What soil types are found in **DO Malaga**?
* *Limestone* * *clay* * decomposed *slate* Note: varies by sub-zone
39
What style of wine is produced in **DO Malaga**?
**100% *Vino Dulce***
40
Name the grape varieties permitted in **DO Malaga**.
*White* (Preferred): * **Pedro Ximenez**/**Pero Ximen** * **Moscatel de Malaga**/**Moscatel de Alejandri**a * Moscatel Morisco/Moscatel de Grano Menudo *White* (Authorized): * Lairen * Doradilla Red (Authorized): * Rome Note: The indigenous grapes Rome, Doradilla, & Lairen may be incorporated w/ a combined max. of 30%.
41
How are ***vino dulce*** wines produced in **DO Malaga**?
Many styles of sweet wine are made in this wine region w/ dried or overripe grapes that can be (but are not always) fortified w/ neutral grape spirit.
42
Which of **DO Malaga** wines is most admired?
***Pajarete*** (Paxarete/Paxarette)
43
How is ***Pajarete*** produced?
This fortified sweet wine is primarily made w/ **PX** and/or **Moscatel** grapes. These grapes are fermented & then oxidatively aged for a min. 2 years in oak barrels. Many producers incorporate a *solera* system into the aging regimen. Sugar content between 4.5-14% or 45-140g/l.
44
What are the characteristics of ***Pajarete*** wine?
Generally brown in color w/ notes of dried figs & hazelnuts w/ a rich & full-bodied palate.
45
What styles of wine are being produced in the **Malaga** province, other than the traditional *vino dulce?*
* non-fortified, sweet **Moscatels**: golden in color, highly perfumed & meant to be consumed young * dry still wines from both indigenous & international varieties (produced under the DO Sierras de Malaga)
46
Which **DO** is exclusively dedicated to the production of raisins?
DO Pasas de Malaga
47
Name the **5** sub-zones of ***DO Malaga***
1. **Axarquia** 2. **Montes de Malaga** 3. **Norte** 4. **Manilva** 5. **Serrania de Ronda** NOT NTK
48
Which ***DO Malaga*** sub-zone is most important for the production of *vino dulce*?
**Axarquia**
49
Where is **Axarquia** located?
This sub-zone of **DO Malaga** is in the southeastern part of the Malaga province. Moscatel vineyards are planted on steep terraces & slopes, some of which require pack animals to lug baskets of grapes to central collection points during harvest.
50
Where is **Montes de Malaga** located?
This sub-zone of **DO Malaga** is situated just west of **Axarquia** on the southern coast of **Andalucia**. It is so-named for the mountain range w/in it, which crests at 3,379ft/1,030m.
51
Which grape varieties thrive in the **Montes de Malaga** sub-zone?
* **PX** * **Moscatel**
52
Which sub-zone of **DO Malaga** has the most extreme temperatures?
**Norte**
53
Where is **Norte** located?
This **DO Malaga** sub-zone is located in the northern region of the **Malaga** province. **Axarquia** is situated to the south-east, and **Montes de Malaga** sits directly to the south.
54
What is the main variety grown in the **Norte** sub-zone?
**PX** This grape naturally ripens to high sugar levels but, here the grapes are typically allowed to over-mature in order to concentrate those sugars & maximize phenolic development. This results in a deeply pigmented sweet wine for which this area is known.
55
Where is **Manilva** located?
This sub-zone of **DO Malaga** is located at the southwestern tip of the **Malaga** province & borders the *Mediterranean Sea*.
56
How does the terroir of **Manilva** contribute to grape clusters & berries growing quite large?
* more humidity * more fertile soils For this reason, these vineyards are primarily used for raisin production under DO Pasas de Malaga.
57
What grape variety is grown in the **Manilva** sub-zone?
**Moscatel** It ripens to high sugar levels.
58
Where is **Serrania de Ronda** located?
This **DO Malaga** sub-zone is in the western part of the region.
59
What style wines are primaily produced in the **Serrania de Ronda** sub-zone?
Still wines produced under DO Sierras de Malaga.
60
Where is **DO Montilla-Moriles** located?
This **DOP** is in the near center of **Andalucia** just south of the city of Cordoba. It is named for 2 of the 17 towns in which it encompasses.
61
**DO Montilla-Moriles** is delineated by which **2** rivers?
* ***Guadajoz River***: to the northeast * ***Genil River***: to the southwest
62
What is the climate in **DO Montilla-Moriles**?
**Mediterranean** w/ **continental** influences * high elevation tempers heat spikes * extreme heat in summer * *albero* (***albarizo***) soil is cooling * irregular rainfall * 20-39in/500-1,000mm annual rainfall
63
What soil types are found in **DO Montilla-Moriles**?
* ***albero*** (*albariza*): vineyards of **Sierra de Montilla** & **Moriles** * ***ruedos*** (*sand* over *clay*): other vineyards throughout **DO** (vines planted here experience more heat & hydric stress)
64
What styles of wine are produced in **DO Montilla-Moriles**?
* ***Blanco*** (54%) * Other (46%): ***Generoso***/***Dulce***)
65
Name the authorized varieties in **DO Montilla-Moriles**.
*White* only: * **Pedro Ximenez** * Layren (Lairen) * Baladi Verdejo (Jaen Blanco, Cayetana Blanca) * Moscatel de Grano Menudo * Moscatel de Alejandria * Torrentes * Chardonnay * Sauvignon Blanc * Macabeo
66
Which variety reigns supreme in **DO Montilla-Moriles**?
**Pedro Ximenez**
67
What purposes is the **PX** grape variety used for in **DO Montilla-Moriles**?
This variety produces: * still wine * vinos generosos * vinos dulces It is also used as a sweetening agent in **Pedro Ximenez**-based wines in **DOs Jerez-Xeres-Sherry** & **Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda**.
68
Why is the **PX** grape better suited in **DO Montilla-Moriles** than closer to the coast?
This grape thrives in heat & reaches sugar levels & phenolic maturity not achieved closer to the coast.
69
How does wine produced from **PX** grapes grown in *clay* soils compare to those grown on ***albariza***?
Wines crafted from grapes grown in *clay* soils tend to have a more accelerated aging/oxidative track than those grown on *albariza*.
70
How does the production method in **DO Montilla-Moriles** compare to that of sherry?
* The process in this **DO** is similar to sherry, but *Pedro Ximenez* is used to craft the base wines instead of **Palomino**. * **PX** naturaly ripens to **15%**, so the wines are not fortified * *flor* bloom is generally weaker/thinner due to lower humidity (resulting in deeper color wines)
71
Which sherry terms can be seen on **DO Montilla-Moriles** labels?
* **Fino** * **Amontillado** (a term that originated in "Montilla") * **Oloroso** However, wines from this wine region may **NOT** be labeled "sherry."
72
What vessels are used for vinification in **DO Montilla-Moriles**?
* Traditionally, vinification took place in ***tinajas*** (large earthenware vessels 6,000-10,000L * Today, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for fermentation prior to moving them to ***tinajas*** for aging.
73
Describe the process of ***soleo***/***asoleado***.
This is a grape-drying process used in **DO Montilla-Moriles** to produce **Sweet PX**. **PX** grapes are typically hand-harvested in August & dried on *straw mats* outside for **4-10 days**. The clusters are turned regularly to ensure an even dehydration of the grapes. This concentrates the grape sugars & doubles the level of potential alcohol.
74
What is the minimum sugar level in the **PX** juice for the production of **Sweet PX** in **DO Montilla-Moriles**?
**400g/l**
75
What is used to extract juices from dried **PX** grapes in **DO Montilla-Moriles**?
Special basket presses are used to extract the thick juice from these dried grapes.
76
Why do the ***Sweet PX*** wines of **DO Montilla-Moriles** need to be fortified?
These sweet wines are made from dried **PX** grapes. The sugar levels in the juice are so high, the yeast struggles to ferment to more than **3-4%** abv and needs to be fortified w/ neutral grain spirit to **15%** abv.
77
How are the ***Sweet PX*** wines of **DO Montilla-Moriles** aged?
***Criaderas y soleras***: * casks are filled to max. capacity to maximize oxidation * min. 2 years in wood * typically consumed young **Vintage** versions: * typically never topped-off * become increasingly concentrated over time
78
What are the characteristics of **Vintage** ***Sweet PX*** wines produced in **DO Montilla-Moriles**?
These wines are opaque black w/ notes of raisins, dried figs, chocolate, & caramel. They have a highly viscous texture & are extremely sweet (some w/ more than **50%** or **500g/l** residual sugar) They can age for decades.

Spanish Wine Scholar (31 decks)

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