Glossary Flashcards
1
Q
What is Abrigo?
A
Spanish for “wall”, these are walls that surround vines planted in hoyos (holes) & serve as windbreaks.
They are found in DO Lanzarote.
2
Q
What is Albariza?
A
A water-retentive soil containing 30 to 80% chalk mixed w/ limestone, sand & clay; found in DOs Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda, & Montilla-Moriles.
3
Q
What is Albero?
A
- An absorbent sand used as flooring in sherry bodegas;
- Also, the locatl name used for Albariza soil in DO Montilla-Moriles
4
Q
What is Aloque?
A
A semi-red wine unique to DO Valdepenas. It is produced by cofermenting red & white grapes.
5
Q
What is Anada?
A
Spanish for “vintage;” a term used on sherry labels.
6
Q
What is Anejo?
A
A designation w/in DO Carinena for intensely oxidized wines of at least 15% abv that spend a min. 24 months in barrel; Anejo is Spanish for “mature.”
7
Q
What is Arenas?
A
Sand; a soil-type in DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry or DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda.
8
Q
What is Arrope?
A
A dark syrup obtained by heating grape must over a slow fire until it reduces to one-fifth its original volume.
This is added to Palomino grape must to create vinos de color (“color wine”) in the production of sherry.
9
Q
What is an Anticyclone?
A
A weather system w/ high atmospheric pressure at its center & calm rotating winds.
10
Q
What is the Azores High?
A
Also known as the Azores anticycline; an anticyclone that impacts the Iberian Peninsula & points east in summer, typically bringing blue skies, dry air, & hot temperatures.
11
Q
What is Barros?
A
Clay; a soil type in DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry or DO Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda.
12
Q
What is Bodega?
A
Spanish for “winery”
13
Q
What is Bota?
A
Spanish for “barrel”.
A term used in DOs Jerez-Xeres-Sherry & Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda.
14
Q
What is Brisats?
A
Orange wines made in Cataluna; white wines vinified w/ skin contact resulting in an “orange” hue.
15
Q
What is Cabeceo?
A
The process of blending dry & sweet sherries to produce cream sherry.
16
Q
What is Calatayud Superior?
A
A designation w/in DO Calatayud for wines made from low-yielding vines of at least 50 years in age w/ a minimum of 85% Garnacha.
17
Q
What is Call Vermell?
A
A reddish clay often mixed w/ limestone gravels or stones; found on the island of Mallorca.
18
Q
What is Carbonic Maceration?
A
An enzymatic fermentation that takes place inside whole grape berries to deliver a wine that is light in tannin & explosive in aromatics.
19
Q
What is Cava?
A
Spanish sparkling wine produced using the metodo tradicional (“tradional method”).
20
Q
What is Cava de Paraje Calificado?
A
Spanish for “Qualified Single Estate Cava;” the highest quality designation w/in DO Cava;
Among other stipulations, hand-harvested grapes must hail from a single vinyard comprised of vines at least 10 years of age;
Wines must be aged for a minimum of 36 months on their lees, be vintage dated, & be finished as Brut, Brut Nature, or Extra Brut.
21
Q
What is Cierzo?
A
A strong, dry, cooling north/northwesterly wind blowing through Rioja, Navarra, Aragon, & Cataluna in autumn & winter.
22
Q
What is Clarete?
A
A winemaking process in which red & white grapes are crushed together & vinified as a red wine to deliver a light-red or semi-red wine.
23
Q
What is Classic Penedes?
A
A cava designation w/in DO Penedes; among other stipulations, wines must be 100% organic & aged for a minimum of 15 months on their lees.
24
Q
What is Colleiteiro?
A
A boutique winery w/ an annual production under 15,850gal/60,000 l utilizing estate-grown grapes in Ribeiro, Galicia.
25
What is **Consejo Regulador**?
Spanish for "***Regulating Council***;" refers to an administrative/legislative body that regulates viticulture & winemaking practices, sets quality controls including aging regimen, & provides proof of origin for each Spanish **DOP**.
26
What is **Cordon trenzado**?
A grape *training method* only found in the **Canary Islands**; vines are braided as they grow to form long ropes; this allows them to be moved so other food crops can be planted during the growing season.
27
What is **Cosecha**?
Spanish for "***harvest***" or "***vintage***;" also refers to a category of wine w/ no aging requirement.
28
What is **Cosecheros**?
Grape growers in **Rioja** who produce a *red wine* via a unique combination of *carbonic maceration* & *wild yeast fermentation*.
29
What is **Costers**?
Spanish for "***banks***" [of a river]; ***steep slopes***.
30
What is **Criaderas**?
Spanish for "***nurseries***;" a term referring to a tier of *butts* w/in a *solera* that contain *sherry* of the same age.
31
What is **Criaderas y Soleras**?
1. A vertical stacking of casks respresenting one type of sherry from many vintages;
2. The bottom row of butts in a vertical stacking;
3. A dynamic aging system that allows for the partial withdrawal of older wine from a butt & the replacement of the same w/ wine from younger vintages so as to assimilate the younger wine into the old;
4. A fractional blending & again system.
32
What is **Crianza**?
An aging category; ***vinos tintos*** in this category must age for at least **24 months** in total of which a minimum of **6 months** must be spent in *barrel*;
***Vinos blancos*** & ***rosados*** must age for at least **12 months** in total of which a minimum of **6 months** must be spent in *barrel*;
Some wine regions may modify/extend these requirements (e.g. **DOCa Rioja**, **DO Ribera del Duero**).
33
What is **Denominacion de Origen** (**DO**)?
Spanish for "**Denomination of Origin**;" refers to legally defined areas of grape/wine production; also seen as **Denominacion de Origen Protegida** (**DOP**) or "**Protected Designation of Origin**" (**PDO**).
34
What is **Denominacion de Origen Calificada DOCa**?
Spanish for "**Denomination of Qualified Origin**;" refers to **DO**s that have attained the highest quality levels for at least 10 years.
35
What is **Denominacio d'Origen Qualificada**?
*Catalan* for "**Denomination of Qualified Origin**;" refers to **DO**s that have attained the highest quality levels for at least 10 years.
36
What is **Destilado**?
Spanish for "***distilled***;" also, a *distilled* wine used in sherry production typically made from **Airen**.
37
What is **Doble pasta**?
Spanish for "***double pulp***;" a unique & traditional method of vinifying grapes in **DO Utiel-Requena** & **DO Manchuela**; skins & pulp of **Bobal** *vino rosado* production are added to a fermenting **Bobal** must resulting in a "*double-macerated*," highly-extracted, tannic *vino tinto*.
38
What is **Embat**?
A soft, humid sea breeze particular to the island of **Mallorca**; blows over land during the sunniest part of the day & tapers off when the sun goes down; imparts some saline notes to many of the wines produced on the island.
39
What is **En cabeza**?
A vine training system whereby the head of the vine is trained downward in order to allow the leaf canopy to protect the fruit growing underneath.
40
What is **en rama**?
Literally translates as "***on the branch***;" a term for *biologically-aged sherries* that are very lightly filtered to remove suspended particles but do not undergo further clarification or stabilization.
41
What is **en vaso**?
A vine training system whereby the trunk is *head-pruned* & kept short so that it resembles a small bush;
In French "***gobelet***;" vines so trained are also called "***bush vines***."
42
What is **espaldera**?
A vine training system whereby the trunk is typically established **3 feet** off the ground w/ **1** or **2** permanent arms (*cordons*) resting on a support wire; this allows for ***vertical shoot positioning*** on a *trellis* system.
43
What is **Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja**?
Spanish for "***Quality Sparkling Wines of Rioja***;"
An optional designation for producers w/in **Rioja**'s **DO Cava** zone of production & the only labeling option for *sparkling* producers outside of **Rioja**'s **DO Cava** area.
44
What is **flor**/**velo de flor**?
In sherry production, a term referring to a film of surface yeasts.
45
What is **Foehn effect**?
Warm, dry winds on the leeward side of a mountain caused by the condensation of water vapor (& the heat that generates) on the windward side.
46
What are **Foudres**?
Large wooden casks that hold 79.25 gallons/300 liters (or more) of wine.
47
What is **Garnacha del Emporda**?
*Red* wines produced in **DO Emporda** which have been aged for a minimum of **2 years** & contain a minimum of **90%** of **Garnacha Tinta** and/or **Garnacha Peluda**.
48
What is **Generico**?
Spanish for "***generic***;"
A **DOCa Rioja** category of wine w/ no minimum aging requirement;
Also, a zonal classification in **DOCa Rioja** in which a wine does not conform to a single zone, municipality, or vineyard.
49
What is **Girasol**?
1970s prototype of a mechanized *riddling* machine;
Precursor of the ***gyropalette***.
50
What is **Gran Anada**?
A designation for **Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja** that indicates extended *lees* aging (min. **36 months**) & vintage labeling.
51
What is **Gran Reserva**?
A traditional aging category; *vinos tintos* must age for a min. of **60 months** in total of which a min. **18 months** must be spent in barrel;
*Vinos blancos* & rosados must age for a min. of **48 months** in total of which a min. of **6 months** must be spent in barrel;
For **DOCa Rioja**, *vinos tintos* must age for a min. of **60 months** in total, with min. **24 months** spend in both barrel & bottle.
52
What is **Gran Reserva Cava**?
A *cava* that spends a min. of **30 months** on its *lees* & is finished as **Brut**, **Brut Nature**, or **Extra Brut**.
53
What is **Gran Vinya Classificada**?
A *single-vineyard* classification in **DOQ Priorat** (similar to Grand Cru in Burgundy); supersedes the **Vi de Finca** designation.
54
What is **hoyo**?
Spanish for "***hole***;"
In **DO Lanzarote**, a funnel-shaped hole dug approx. 10ft/3m in diameter & 7-8ft/2-2.5m deep.
55
What is **Jerez Superio**r?
A subdivision of the **Zona de Produccion** consisting of only those vineyards planted in ***albariza*** soil.
56
What is **Joven**?
Spanish for "***young***";
A designation for young wines that under minimal to no aging.
57
What is **Lapilli**?
A layer of small, porous, volcanic pebbles that blankets the topsoil in certain areas of the **Canary Islands**;
Also called **picon**.
58
What is **Levante**?
An eastely wind that is gentle & moist while over water bringing clouds & raind to the coast;
However, as it blows westward over land, it increases in intensity & becomes both hot & dry;
Also known as the **Levanter** or **Solano**.
59
What is **Leveche**?
A hot, dry, dust-laden southwest wind originating over North Africa;
Largely impacts **Valenca** & **Alicante** in springtime.
60
Whta is **Llicorella**?
A shallow, copper-colored, decomposed slate/shale of low organic content that formed during the Devonian & Carboniferous periods 416-318 mya;
Found largely in **DOQ Priorat** w/ pockets in **DO**s **Montsant** & Conca de Barbera.
61
What is **Madreo**?
A *vino rosado* winemaking technique in **DO Tierra de Leon** in which *whole clusters* are added to a vat of fermenting must to create an explosive bouquet of aromatics in the finished wine.
62
What is **Majuelo**?
A family-owned & family-farmed vineyard whose grapes are sold as a cash crop to wineries in **Castilly y Leon**.
63
What is **Malmsey**?
A sweet, *white*, unfortified wine produced from **Malvasia**; a historic wine of note produced in the **Canary Islands**.
64
What is **Marco de Jerez**?
The area encompassing the nine towns entitled to grow grapes for *sherry* production.
65
What is **Marco Real**?
A **planting methodology** used to minimize *hydric stress*; vines are planted in a chessboard-like pattern & spaced approx. 8ft/2.5m apart in all directions.
66
What is **metodo tradicional**?
Spanish for "***traditional method***" [of sparkling wine production].
67
What is **Mistela de Moscatel**?
A sweet fortified **Moscatel de Alejandria** must which does not undergo fermentation.
68
What is **mitad y mitad**?
A **50/50** mixture of *distilled grape spirit* & *mature sherry* used to fortify *sherry*.
69
What is **Monterrei Superior**?
A designation in **DO Monterrei** which is awarded to wines made w/ a min. **85%** of any native variety.
70
What is **mosto prensa**?
In *sherry* production, a term referring to the ***press fraction*** that receives the most pressure & therefore extracts a coarser, more inelegand juice; used for *distillation*.
71
What is **mutage**?
A winemaking technique whereby ***neutral grape spirit*** is added to a *fermenting must* in order to arrest fermentation, boost alcohol, & leave residuatl sugar in the finished wine.
72
What is **Pajarete**?
Also spelled "**Paxarete**" or "**Paxarette**";
A *fortified sweet wine* primarily crafted from **Pedro Ximenez** and/or **Moscatel** grapes;
From **DO Malaga**.
73
What is **panal**?
A *limestone*-rich *silty loam* common to **DO Montsant** in **Cataluna**.
74
What is **parra**?
A ***wire trellis*** affixed atop (granite) posts to form a grape **parral**/**pergola**.
75
What is **parral**?
Spanish for ***pergola***; an *overhead trellising system* that allows for maximum air circulation w/in & around the canopy;
Promotes more even ripening & helps to prevent mildew.
76
What is **Phylloxera**?
A sap-sucking insect that feeds on the roots & leaves of grapevines leaving open wounds that lead to fungus infection plus uncontrolled cell growth that blocks the upward flow of nutrients to the vine; both scenarios result in the death of *Vitis vinifera*.
77
What is **Picon**?
A synonym for ***lapilli***; a *volcanic*, *pebbly* soil found in the **Canary Islands**.
78
What is **pie franco**?
A term referring to an ungrafted grapevine; meaning "***free-footed***."
79
What is **Poniente**?
A cool, humid westerly or northwesterly wind that opposes the easterly **Levante** in southern Spain.
80
What is **primera yema**?
Term for ***free-run juice*** in *sherry* production;
Typically used for the production of **Fino** sherries.
81
What is **rancio**?
Wines w/ an extremely oxidized character.
82
What are **ranas**?
***Terraces*** on which vines are planted.
83
What are **rayas**?
Sherries that have spent time outside baking in the sun for **1-2 years**;
Typically blended w/ sweetening agents to craft dessert sherries.
84
What is the **Reconquista**?
Spanish for "***reconquest***;"
Refers to the reclaiming of the *Iberian Peninsula* by Christian forces & the subsequent expulsion of the Moors/Islam.
85
What is **Rectified Concentrated Grape Must**?
A clear, odorless sugar solution derived from grape must; used in sherry production to add sweetness w/o altering color, aroma or flavor.
86
What is **Reserva**?
An aging category;
*Vinos tintos* must be aged min. **36 months** in total of which a min. **12 months** must be spent in *barrel*;
*Vinos blancos* & *rosados* must be aged a min. **24 months** in total of which a min. **6 months** must be in **barrel**.
This is also a designation for **DO Cava** & indicates a min. **15 months** *sur lie* aging;
It is also a designation for **Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja** & indicates a min. **24 months** *sur lie* aging.
87
What is **Reserva Cava**?
A ***cava*** that spends a min. **15 months** on its *lees* (as opposed to the 9-month min. for traditional cava).
88
What is **Ria**?
A ***submerged river valley*** that is often branched or tree-like in shape w/ irregular banks of various elevations; not formed by glacier action.
89
What is **Ribera Sacra Summum**?
A special designation created by **DO Ribeira Sacra** for *red wines* that contain a min. **85%** *preferred* varieties, including a min. **60%** **Mencia**;
*White wines* must contain **100%** of *preferred* varieties.
90
What is **Rosado de Aguja**?
A ***semi-sparkling rose*** from **VC Valles de Benavente** whose effervesence is achieved through a small injection of carbon dioxide..
91
What is **ruedos**?
A soil type found in **DO Mountilla-Moriles**;
*Sandy* topsoil atop a *clay* subsoil.
92
What is **Saignee**?
French for "***bleeding the tank***" or "***sangrado***;"
A technique employed to craft *vino rosado*.
93
What is **Sangrado**?
Spanish for "***saignee***" or "***bleeding the tank***;"
A technique employed to craft *vino rosado*.
94
What is **Saulo**?
Decomposed *granitic sands* common to **DO Montsant** in **Cataluna**.
95
What is **segunda yema**?
Term referring to the juice extracted from the first gentle pressing of the must in *sherry* production;
Typically used for the production of **Oloroso** sherries.
96
What is **Sobremadre**?
Literally translates as "***with the mother***;"
A fermentation technique whereby a portion of the solids remain w/ the unfiltered wine for **90-180 days**;
These slightly effervescent wines are bottled directly from the fermentation vessel w/o clarification or filtration.
97
What is **sobretabla**?
An intermediate stage in the *sherry* classification process.
98
What is **Solano**?
Another name for the ***Levante*** wind;
An easterly wind that brings hot, dry weather to the *Andalusian Plain* in the spring & summer.
99
What is **soleo**/**asoleado**?
A process in which grapes are dried on straw mats in **DO Montilla-Moriles**;
Concentrates sugars & doubles the potential alcohol.
100
What is **Sweet PX**?
A *sweet wine* made from *sun-dried* **Pedro Ximenez** grapes;
Made in **DO Montilla-Moriles**.
101
What is **Tarragona Clasico**?
A designation w/in **DO Tarragona** for a high-alcohol *vino dulce* crafted from overripe grapes which are aged for **12 years** in large oak containers;
This wine is sometimes put into a *solera* system.
102
What are **tinaja**?
Large, earthenware jar used for fermentation & wine storage.
103
What is **Tostado do Ribeiro**?
A *sweet*, *fortified white wine* from **DO Ribeiro**, **Galicia**, whose popularity engendered a vineyard planting craze in the area in the 17th & 18th centuries.
104
What is the **Tramontana**?
A strong, cool, dry north wind that blows through **Cataluna** & **Las Islas Baleares** in the autumn, winter, & spring.
105
What is **Txakoli**?
A **Basque** wine of local tradition that was brough back into commercial production during the 1980s by a group of dedicated wine producers.
106
What is **Valdeorras Castas Nobles**?
A *designation* in **DO Valdeorras** which is awarded to wines produced w/ at least **85%** of the *preferred* varieties.
107
What is **vara y pulgar**?
Literally translated, "***Stick and thumb***;"
A *cane* & *spur* *pruning system* used in **DO**s **Jerez-Xeres-Sherry** & **Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda** & **DOCa Rioja**.
108
What is **Vi de Finca**?
Until 2019, the highest quality *designation* in **DOQ Priorat**;
This designation was superseded by the **Vinya Classificada** & **Gran Vinya Classificada** *single-vineyard designation*.
109
What is **Vi de Paratge**?
A vineyard classification in **DOQ Priorat** (similar to *Lieu-dit* in Burgundy) which delimits sites (*paratges*) according to geological & topographical features.
110
What is **Vi de Vila**?
A high-profile village designation in **DOQ Priorat** & the first of its kind to incorporate historic & social factors into its charter;
Wines are labeled as this accompanied by the name of an approved *sub-zone*.
111
What is **Vino** (**de Espana**)?
Refers to wines previously bottled as *Vino de Mesa*;
This *designation* represents the lowest rung on the Spanish wine quality pyramid.
Wines are produced w/o any specific geographic indication outside of country of origin;
Grape variety & harvest year may appear on the label.
112
What is **vino blanco**?
Spanish for "***white wine***."
113
What is **Vino de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica** (**VC**)?
A wine categorty that designates wines produced w/in a particular region using grapes grown in the same area whose quality & reputation are due to that specific geographic environment;
And intermediary category between **VT** & **DO**.
114
What is **Vino de Indicacion Geografica Protegida** (**IGP**)?
Spanish for "**Protected Geographical Indication**" (**PGI**): an EU wine category w/ less strict production guidelines than **DO**/**DOCa**;
Wines are expected to reflect the region or specific place where they are produced.
Spain's **Vino de la Tierra** (**VT**) designation falls under this category.
115
What is **Vino de a Tierra** (**VT**)?
Spanish for "***country wines***;"
Wines in this **IGP** quality category hail from a particular area & possess identifiable local characteristics;
They are made w/ more relaxed viticultural & vinicultural standards than those of the **DO**/**DOCa** regions.
116
What is **Vino de Licor**?
Spanish for "***fortified wine***"
117
What is **Vino de Mesa**?
The lowest category on the Spanish wine quality pyramid;
Now labeled as **Vino** (**de Espana**).
118
What is **Vino de Pago** (**VP**)?
A Spanish wine category for highly regarded *single-estate* wines that have unique soils and/or mesoclimates;
Many lie outside established **DO** areas.
119
What is **Vino de Tea**?
*White*, *rose*, & *red* wines aged for a max. **6 months** in **Canary Island** *pine* ("*tea*") *barrels*.
120
What is **vino dulce**?
Spanish for "***sweet wine***"
121
What is **vino espumoso**?
Spanish for "***sparkling wine***"
122
What is **vino generoso**?
A *dry*, ***fortified wine***.
123
What is **vino generoso de licor**?
A *sweet*, ***fortified wine***.
124
What is **Vino Naranja**?
An ***aromatized sweet wine*** made w/ the rinds of *bitter oranges*;
Made in **DO Condado de Huelva**.
125
What is **vino rosado**?
Spanish for "***rose wine***."
126
What is **vino tinto**?
Spanish for "**red wine**."
127
What is **vino tostado**?
***Sweet, fortified, white wine*** made from *sun-dried* grapes in **DO Ribeiro**.
128
What is **vinos de color**?
Wines used to deepen the color of *sherry*.
129
What is **Vinos de Municipio**?
Spanish for "***village wines***;"
A wine category in **DOCa Rioja** designating wine made from a *single villag*e.
130
What is **Vinos de Zona**?
A *sub-regional designation* w/in **DOCa Rioja**;
Mostly used by producers in **Rioja Alavesa** & **Rioja Alta**.
131
What is **Vinya Classificada**?
A *single-vineyard* *classification* in **DOQ Priorat** (similar to Premier Cru in Burgundy);
Supercedes the **Vi de Finca** designation.
132
What is **Vinyes Velles**?
Catalan for "***old vines***;"
A *designation* allowed in **DOQ Priora**t for vines at least **75 years old** or planted prior to **1945**.
133
What is **Vinedo Singular**?
Spanish for "***single vineyard***;"
A *single-vineyard* label *designation* in **DOCa Rioja** w/ specific quality parameters including *lower yields*, & *hand-harvested* fruit from vines that are at least **35 years** of age.
134
What is **Zona de Crianza**?
Literally translates as "***Aging & Maturing Zone***;"
The area encompassing the towns of **Jerez de la Frontera**, **El Puerto de Santa Maria**, & **San Lucar de Barrameda** where *sherry* may be aged;
Also known as the "***Sherry Triangle***."
135
What is **Zona de Produccion**?
Literally translates as "***Production Zone***;"
Refers to the **9** towns which the *Consejo Regulador* considers suitable for growing grapes to be used in the production of *sherry* & *Manzanilla*;
Soils include *albariza*, *arenas*, & *barros*.
