D3 - Spain 1: Galicia, Castilla y Léon, Rioja, Navarra, Aragon Flashcards
Examines the region, grapes, method of production, and styles of Galicia, Castilla y Léon, Rioja, Navarra, and Aragon. (111 cards)
1
Q
Spain is considered a warm country generally, but it does have varying climates over several regions. Describe.
A
- Northwest – more maritime (influenced by the Atlantic), has high rainfall throughout the year;
- North – more continental (mountains shelter from the Atlantic) with some maritime;
- Northeast – Mediterranean influences;
- South and east – directly faces the Mediterranean, so vineyards in close proximity have a moderated climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters;
- The meseta – continental; a large raised plateau in the center of the country, at an altitude of 600–900m covers a vast area over central Spain. Hot days and cool nights, though altitude can help moderate the heat.
2
Q
While Spain has the largest vineyard plantings under production (964,000 ha), it is only the world’s _____ largest producer of wine by volume.
A
Third
see p.323 - Spain in behind Italy and France
3
Q
Many Spanish vineyards are planted at low density with vines trained how?
A
Bush trained.
4
Q
Why is low density planting beneficial in Spain?
A
The (mostly) dry climate.
With as little as 300 mm in some parts of the country, it is helpful to reduce competition between vines for soil water.
5
Q
In what year was irrigation nationally legalized in Spain? Who oversees control of irrigation?
A
- 1996
- The Consejo Regulador for each wine region.
6
Q
Why do Toro and Rueda have some plantings of incredibly old ungrafted vines?
A
They were unaffected by phylloxera thanks to their sandy soils.
7
Q
Why is vineyard mechanization still relatively limited in Spain?
A
Spain remains a country of small vineyard holdings, with about 68% of vineyard plots being <0.5 ha in size and a further 20% between 0.5 and 3 ha.
8
Q
The two grape varieties with the largest plantings in Spain are:
A
- Airén
- Tempranillo
9
Q
What are some characteristics of Tempranillo (when does it ripen, etc.)?
A
- Early ripener;
- Able to produce medium to high yields;
- Best in warm climates where there is some cooling influence.
10
Q
It is common in Spain for wines of all quality levels to go through primary fermentation in this type of vessel.
A
Temperature controlled stainless steel.
11
Q
National aging legislation in Spain says that oak barrels have a maximum capacity of ____ L.
A
330 L
12
Q
Under the national aging legislation in Spain, what are the minimum total aging times (and time spent in barrel) for Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva REDS?
This question is asking about national legislation, NOT legislation for individual DOs, e.g. RIoja, which may be stricter than the national legislation.
A
- Crianza - min 6 mos in barrel, min 24 mos total aging;
- Reserva - min 12 mos in barrel, min 36 mos total aging;
- Gran Reserva - min 18 mos in barrel, min 60 mos total aging.
13
Q
What do roble and joven mean on a bottle of Spanish wine?
A
- Roble: wines that have been matured in oak for an unspecified duration, usually less than the requirements for Crianza.
- Joven: used to denote wines that are released young, often with no or minimal oak aging.
14
Q
What are the two Spanish wine regions that are DOCa?
A
Rioja and Priorat
15
Q
What is needed for a region to apply to become a DOCa?
A
- Region must be established for a minimum of ten years;
- All wines must be bottled at the producer’s own property;
- The denomination must have various quality regulations in place including a tasting assessment by an external panel and a process to audit these extra restrictions and regulations.
16
Q
What is Vino de Pago? Where are most located in Spain?
A
- A category that applies to a small number of single estates with high reputations;
- These wines are also within the PDO category;
- The majority are in Castilla-La Mancha, with others in Navarra, Valencia and Aragon;
- Approved estates may only use their own grapes, which must be vinified and matured on their estate.
17
Q
The Spanish equivalent of PGI is ______.
A
Vino de la Tierra (VT)
18
Q
Regulations of each denomination are generally set and controlled by their specific Consejo Regulador.
What are the regulations a Consejo Regulador oversees?
A
- Maximum yields;
- Permitted grape varieties;
- Vineyard practices such as irrigation;
- Winemaking regulations (including minimum aging requirements);
- Packaging regulations;
- Bottling within the region is specified for the DOCa/DOQs of Rioja and Priorat and the majority of DOs.
19
Q
In Spain, why is production dominated in many regions by co-operatives?
A
It’s a country of many producers with tiny landholdings.
20
Q
Select the correct answer.
- As of 2021, Spain is the world’s:
a. Largest exporter of wine in terms of volume
b. Smallest exporter of wine in terms of volume - What percentage of Spain’s total exports in 2018 was bulk wine?
A
- a. Largest exporter of wine in terms of volume
- 56%
21
Q
The climate of Rías Baixas is ______.
A
Maritime.
The Atlantic moderates annual temperatures, giving warm summers and mild winters.
22
Q
- How much rain does Rías Baixas get annually?
- When does it fall?
A
- 1700mm annually
- Rains throughout the year.
23
Q
Because rain falls throughout the year in Rías Baixas, what hazards are present?
A
- Fungal diseases are a constant risk;
- Rain just prior to harvest.
24
Q
Why is Albariño well suited to Galicia (and Rías Baixas more specifically)?
A
It has thick skins which makes it less prone to damage from rot.
25
Other white grapes of Rías Baixas include:
* Loureira;
* Treixadura;
* Caiño Blanco.
26
What are the 5 subzones of Rías Baixas?
1. Val do Salnés (oldest);
2. Soutomaior (smallest);
3. O Rosal (usually blends);
4. Condado do Tea (inland, warm);
5. Ribeira do Ulla (newest).
27
* The popular (and older) trellising system in Rías Baixas is \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
* What does it allow for?
* Pergola (here called parral)
* Allows for air circulation underneath it and for other crops, if desired to be planted underneath.
28
# Select the correct answer.
The winemaking style in Rías Baixas is generally:
a. protective
b. oxidative
a. Protective
## Footnote
Cool fermentation in stainless steel is typical; some producer do partial malo in cooler years.
29
Name 4 other wine regions in Galicia.
1. Ribeiro DO;
2. Ribeira Sacra DO;
3. Monterrei DO;
4. Valdeorras DO.
30
_Ribeiro DO_:
* What is its climate?
* What color wine does it mostly make and from what grape?
* **Maritime** climate (high rainfall);
* Produces mainly **white wines** made from **Treixadura**.
31
_Ribeira Sacra DO_:
* What is its climate?
* What is its most important red grape variety?
* Continental mainly but there is some maritime influence;
* Mencía
32
_Valdeorras DO_:
* What is its climate and altitude?
* How much rain does it get?
* What white grape is it known for?
* Continental, ~300m elevation;
* 700-1000mm per year;
* Godello.
33
# Select the correct answer.
*Ribeira Sacra DO* is known for its:
a) flat land and cool, clay-based soils
b) stony slopes with good drainage
c) extremely steep slopes with Portlandian soils
Stony slopes with good drainage
34
_Monterrei DO_:
* What is its climate (what shelters it)?
* What grapes is it known for?
* Continental (Sierra de Larouca mountains);
* Mencía and Godello.
35
What are the four DOs to know of Castilla y León?
1. Bierzo DO;
2. Rueda DO;
3. Toro DO;
4. Ribera del Duero DO.
36
What is the main red grape of Bierzo DO?
When does it ripen?
* Mencía;
* Early to mid-ripening grape.
37
Mencía must contribute a minimum of \_\_\_% to any red wine blend in Bierzo DO, with this grape making up the difference.
* 70%
* Alicante Bouschet
## Footnote
Only 2% of plantings in Bierzo are Alicante Bouschet, so many wines are made from 100% Mencía.
38
* Where are the best vineyards in Bierzo DO located (valley floor, slopes)?
* How does their location benefit the wine?
* Hillside slopes at 500–850m asl that have good drainage, and shallow, poor slate soils (limits vigor).
* Benefits: cooling influence, large diurnal range (slows sugar accumulation, retains acidity). Also, the vines are are old and bush trained (so machine harvesting rare).
39
_Toro DO_:
* What are its climate and altitude?
* What is the benefit of its altitude?
* Continental climate, 620–750m elevation;
* Benefit: large diurnal range (cool nights = acidity retention)
40
* What is the main red grape variety in Toro DO?
* What are some of its characteristics?
* Tinta de Toro;
* Thick skin (deeper color, higher tannin).
41
Toro DO red wines must be a minimum \_\_\_% of Tinta de Toro with the remainder being this grape.
* 75% Tinta de Toro;
* Garnacha.
42
* What is the rainfall in Toro DO?
* Is irrigation permitted there?
* Low rainfall;
* Irrigation is permitted but not between June and harvest.
43
The maximum abv for red wines in Toro DO is \_\_\_%.
15%
44
The first winery to be established in Ribera del Duero was \_\_\_\_\_\_ in the late 1800s.
Vega Sicilia
45
What did Alejandro Fernandez’s Pesquera inspire other winemakers to do in Ribera del Duero?
To vinify their grapes to make wines and bottle it under their own labels. He was the change-maker for the DO in the 1980s.
46
Ribera del Duero DO:
1. What is the climate and altitude?
2. What is a key weather hazard due to the altitude?
3. Is the rainfall high or low, and is irrigation allowed?
1. Continental, 750–1,000m elevation;
2. Frost in spring and autumn due to altitude;
3. Rainfall low; irrigation is allowed but NOT during ripening stage.
47
What are the 2 synonyms of Tempranillo used in Ribera del Duero DO?
* Tinto Fino;
* Tinto de País.
48
Which vineyards are prone to frost in Ribera del Duero? (valley floor, hillside, which direction they face)
**North-facing** and **flat sites** are most prone to frost in Ribera del Duero.
49
What is the trellising or vine training seen in Ribera del Duero DO?
* Bush trained (classic, for old vines - about a quarter are 40-years old and a number are >100-years old);
* Newer training is trellised (faster to establish, can be mechanized).
50
# Select the correct answer.
The average size of vineyard per grower in Ribera del Duero DO is:
a. 3 ha
b. 30 ha
c. 300 ha
a. 3 ha
51
What winemaking law was added in 2019 to Ribera del Duero DO?
Law now allows white wines to be made under the DO. Historically the vast majority of wine made was red wine with some rosado.
The grape used is Albillo Mayor and it must make up at least 75% of any blend.
52
* Red and rosé wines from Ribera del Duero must be \_\_\_% of this grape.
* Which grapes are also permitted?
* 75% Tempranillo
* Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha and Albillo
53
# Select the correct answer.
Premium and super-premium red wines from Ribera del Duero DO are:
a. Never aged in new oak
b. Commonly matured in 50–100% new French + American oak
c. Always aged in stainless steel
b. Commonly matured in 50–100% new French + American oak
54
Even though the aging categories of Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva are allowed to be used in Ribera del Duero DO, they're \_\_\_\_\_.
Rarely labeled with the aging category specified.
55
# Select the correct answer.
Rueda DO produces which style of wine:
a. Almost entirely white wines
b. Almost entirely rosé wines
c. Almost entirely red wines
a. Almost entirely white wines
56
What are the 2 white grape varieties used in Rueda DO?
1. **Verdejo** (most important, drought tolerant);
1. **Sauvignon Blanc**.
57
Describe Rueda DO's climate.
Continental – hot, dry summers, cold winters and low rainfall.
58
# Select the correct answer.
Malolactic conversion in Rueda DO is generally:
a. Avoided in all styles to retain acidity
b. Used across all styles to tamp down the acidity
a. Avoided in all styles to retain acidity
59
How are the most inexpensive wines from Rueda DO made (protectively, oxidatively, in oak, etc.)?
Protectively in stainless steel.
60
To be labeled as either Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc, the wines of Rueda DO must contain at least \_\_\_% of the named grape variety.
85%
## Footnote
It is common to bottle the wines as monovarietals, though.
61
Red and rosé wines made under the Rueda DO are made mainly from this grape.
Tempranillo
62
Production volume and sales of Rueda wines has increased significantly in the last 20-30 years.
What's been driving that increase and who has been making all this wine?
Driven by increased sales in the domestic market and sales in export markets;
60% is made by local producers but wineries owned by companies based outside the region have a Rueda as a white wine in their portfolio.
63
What is the Castilla y Léon VT appellation used for?
The VT permits producers located outside the DO boundaries to produce wine with a geographical indication. It also allows producers who are located within any DO boundaries to make wines in styles or from grape varieties that are not permitted in their DO.
64
Which DO borders Rioja DOCa to the east?
Navarra DO.
65
What is the name of the river that runs through Rioja DOCa?
Ebro River.
66
What are the geographical features that shelter Rioja DOCa?
* **Sierra de Cantabria to the north** – protects Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather;
* **Sierra de la Demanda to the south** (part of the Sistema Ibérico, the mountain range on the north-east edge of the *meseta*) -- shelters the vineyards from weather from the warmer center of the country.
67
How is it that the eastern side of Rioja DOCa gains some Mediterranean influence?
The southeast portion of the Ebro valley is lower and opens up without any sheltering aspects from mountains.
68
What are the three zones of Rioja DOCa and what are their altitudes?
1. **Rioja Alta** (largest, low altitudes near the Ebro and up to ~700m at the highest points in the southern part of the zone);
2. **Rioja Alavesa** (smallest, up to ~700m);
3. **Rioja Oriental** (warmest and driest; northern part of zone is lower in altitude, southern part of zone is 500-1000m).
69
Describe the soils of Rioja Alta.
* Near the Ebro River: alluvial;
* Northwestern part: calcareous clay (it's cooler and wetter here);
* Southern part: ferrous clay.
70
What are the soils of Rioja Alavesa?
Calcareous clay.
71
What are the soils of Rioja Oriental?
Mixture of calcareous clay and ferrous clay.
72
Why is Rioja Oriental considered to be most at risk of climate change?
It's already warm and suffers from drought.
73
How is vintage variation marked in Rioja DOCa?
By either Atlantic (cooler, wetter weather) or Mediterranean influence (warmer, drier weather)
## Footnote
Some producers aim to produce consistent products year over year -- blending can be an important part of attaining such consistency -- and other producers look to make wines that represent the vintage.
74
As in most other areas in Spain, Rioja DOCa has what types of vine training?
Older vines are bush trained and newer vineyards are trellised with VSP, making mechanization more viable.
75
The dominant grape variety in Rioja DOCa is \_\_\_\_\_, which makes up 88% of the total plantings of red grape varieties.
Tempranillo
76
Why is Garnacha considered to be better suited for Rioja Oriental and Tempranillo better suited for Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta?
* Garnacha is suited to warm, dry conditions and is drought resistant;
* Tempranillo is early ripening and is able to ripen in cooler, high altitude sites with cool clay soils.
77
Besides Tempranillo, what are the other grape varieties allowed in red Rioja DOCa?
* Garnacha;
* Graciano;
* Mazuelo;
* Maturana Tinta.
## Footnote
Cabernet Sauvignon is also permitted but plantings are very small.
78
What are the six permissible grape varieties for white Rioja DOCa? Which one is the **most planted**?
1. **Viura** (most planted);
2. Tempranillo Blanco;
3. Malvasía;
4. Garnacha Blanca;
5. Verdejo;
6. Sauvignon Blanc.
79
Why is Viura suited to Rioja DOCa?
It is **suited for warm, dry sites** and is **late budding and late ripening**.
80
Tempranillo Blanco is a relative newcomer to Rioja DOCa. What are some of its characteristics?
* High acid;
* Flavors of lemon, grapefruit, and pineapple.
81
What are some of the climatic influences in Navarra DO?
1. Atlantic Ocean;
2. Mediterranean Sea;
3. Pyrenées.
82
What are the 5 subzones of Navarra DO?
1. Baja Montaña;
2. Valdizarbe;
3. Tierra Estella;
4. Ribera Alta;
5. Ribera Baja.
83
Which two of Navarra DO's subzones are warmer, drier, and flatter?
1. Ribera Alta;
2. Ribera Baja.
84
Which three of Navarra DO's subzones are hillier, cooler and wetter?
1. Baja Montaña;
2. Valdizarbe;
3. Tierra Estella.
85
What are the 4 permissible red grape varieties in Navarra DO?
1. Tempranillo (most planted, often made as a monovarietal wine);
1. Garnacha;
1. Cabernet Sauvignon;
1. Merlot.
86
Stylistically, which oak is used for which red grape varieties in Navarra DO?
* American oak usually used for Tempranillo;
* French oak usually used for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends.
87
What are the 5 white grape varieties planted in Navarra DO?
1. Chardonnay (principal white grape);
1. Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains);
1. Sauvignon Blanc;
1. Viura;
1. Malvasía.
88
* Rosé from Navarra DO must be made using this winemaking technique.
* What rosé winemaking technique is NOT allowed in Navarra DO?
* Must be made by a short maceration on the skins;
* Direct pressing is not permitted.
89
How long are skins macerated when making rosé from Navarra DO?
3–4 hours for paler wines and 6–12 hours for more deeply colored wines.
90
# Select the correct answer.
Navarra DO plantings are:
a. Small, and many wine growers sell their grapes to co-ops
b. Large, and many wine growers make estate wines
a. Small, and many wine growers sell their grapes to co-ops
91
What are the four principal wine regions of Aragon?
Which one is **not like the others**, and why?
1. Cariñena DO;
2. Campo de Borja DO;
3. Calatayud DO;
4. **Somontano DO** – close to the Catalunya border with a very different climate.
92
* The climate of Cariñena DO, Campo de Borja DO, and Calatayud DO is \_\_\_\_\_.
* What is the average rainfall across these DOs?
* Continental with hot, dry summers;
* 450-500mm.
93
What helps to slow down ripening in the warm DOs of Cariñena, Campo de Borja, and Calatayud?
* Altitude (high diurnal range);
* Cool northerly wind, the cierzo.
94
Cariñena, Campo de Borja, and Calatayud – describe the soils, which grape is predominantly planted, and hazards.
1. Rocky and free-draining soils;
2. Lots of bush vine Garnacha planted at low densities;
3. Spring frosts can be a problem;
4. Dry and windy conditions mean pests and diseases are rarely problematic.
95
Somontano DO is located at the foot of which mountain range?
Pyrenées.
96
_Somontano DO_:
* What is the climate?
* What is the rainfall?
* What is the elevation where most vineyards are planted?
* Warm continental;
* Rainfall slightly higher than the other DOs of Aragon and it falls throughout the year;
* 350-650m asl.
97
What are the most planted grape varieties (of both colors) in Somontano DO?
* Chardonnay;
* Cabernet Sauvignon.
## Footnote
Oddly, there are also significant plantings of Gewürztraminer.
98
What are the techniques used to make the many styles of red wine coming out of Rioja DOCa?
* Blending of different grape varieties;
* Selection of different vineyards;
* Using various winemaking techniques, such as extraction and maturation (vessels and length of aging).
99
What is the only size of oak barrels permitted in Rioja DOCa?
225L
100
What are *vinos de autor?*
Think of it like the original Super Tuscans.
A handful of producers launched premium wines in the 1990s, labeling them without an aging category, and so fitting into the category of ‘generic wine’ which does not specify any aging requirements. Low yields and selected parcels of vines were used to make very ripe-fruited, concentrated and structured wines that had been aged in new French oak.
101
Blending parcels of grapes from various parts of the Rioja DOCa has long been a feature of winemaking there.
Why?
* Lots of small growers with small land holdings;
* Large number of co-ops who use those small growers' fruit;
* Blending of grapes or wine from different zones is desirable to create a certain style and quality.
102
Briefly describe the style of inexpensive white Rioja.
Simple, unoaked, made for early drinking.
## Footnote
Protective winemaking techniques are used, the wine is fermented to dryness at cool temperatures in stainless steel, and it is then bottled soon after.
103
Briefly describe mid-priced and premium white Rioja.
* Many are in an oxidative, oaked style;
* In recent years they've begun to exhibit more freshness of fruit flavors.
104
What are the three most recent specifications (2018) that Rioja DOCa producers can add to their wine labels?
1. Vino de Zona;
2. Vino de Municipio;
3. Viñedo Singular (single vineyard).
105
What are the details that must be adhered to in order to use the term Vino de Zona on a wine label?
* Grapes must be sourced from the single zone named (Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa or Rioja Oriental);
* Vinification, aging and bottling of the wine must take place within the zone;
* EXCEPTION: 15% of the grapes may come from
a vineyard outside the zone providing that vineyard borders the zone mentioned AND the producer can provide evidence that they have been sourcing grapes from the vineyard for 10 consecutive years.
106
What are the details that must be adhered to in order to use the term Vino de Municipio on a wine label?
* All grapes must be sourced from the municipality (such as a village or group of villages) named;
* 15% of the grapes can be sourced from a municipality that borders the named municipality IF grapes have been sourced from there for 10 consecutive years;
* Vinification, aging and bottling of the wine must take place within the named municipality (a producer must have a winery in that municipality for wines to be labelled in this way).
107
What are the details that must be adhered to in order to use the term Viñedo Singular on a wine label?
* All grapes must be sourced from the named vineyard;
* Vinification, aging, storage and bottling must take place within the same winery;
* The producer must have owned the vineyard for a minimum of 10 years;
* The vineyard must be a minimum of 35 years old;
* Yields must respect specified maximum levels;
* The vineyard must be hand harvested and treated in a sustainable way.
108
What are the minimum total aging times (and time spent in barrel) for Rioja DOCa Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva REDS?
* Crianza – 12 mos minimum in barrel, 24 mos minimum total aging from Oct 1 the year of harvest;
* Reserva – 12 mos minimum in barrel, 36 mos minimum total aging;
* Gran Reserva – 24 mos minimum in barrel, 60 mos minimum total aging.
109
What are the minimum total aging times (and time spent in barrel) for Rioja DOCa Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva WHITES and ROSÉS?
* Crianza – 6 mos minimum in barrel, 24 mos minimum total aging from Oct 1 the year of harvest;
* Reserva – 6 mos minimum in barrel, 24 mos minimum total aging;
* Gran Reserva – 6 mos minimum in barrel, 48 mos minimum total aging.
## Footnote
See p.348 for this chart. The chart on p.326 is for generic DOs, NOT for Rioja DOCa.
110
What does the Consejo Regulador of Rioja DOCa most often emphasize in their marketing materials?
Rioja’s value for money as well as its diversity.
111
Under the national aging legislation in Spain, what are the minimum total aging times (and time spent in barrel) for Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva WHITES and ROSÉS?
* Crianza – 6 mos minimum in barrel, 18 mos minimum total aging;
* Reserva – 6 mos minimum in barrel, 24 mos minimum total aging;
* Gran Reserva – 6 mos minimum in barrel, 48 mos minimum total aging.
