Spain

Question 1

3 climate zones of Spain…?

Answer 1

North and northwest coasts are moderate maritime…rainfall is high

East coast from Catalunya in the north to the Levante further south has a warm Mediterranean climate

The Meseta Central, a large plateau in the center of Spain, is mostly cut off from the influence of the sea by encircling mountains and has a hot continental climate

Question 2

What are the biggest challenges to grape growing in Spain?

Answer 2

With the notable exception of north-west Spain (green Spain), heat and lack of water are the biggest challenges.

Question 3

Why are bush trained vineyards important in Spain?

Answer 3

Maximizes the amount of water available to each vine and shading the vine from excessive heat.

Question 4

Spain’s premier black grape?

Answer 4

Tempranillo

Question 5

Describe the tempranillo grape?

Answer 5

Thick skinned, medium levels of acidity. Needs sufficient warmth to develop its flavors. Hot climates without proper diurnal shift can cause the grape to not have the necessary acidity for ideal balance. Consequently, it performs best when hot summer temps are moderated by water and/or altitude.

Question 6

What region of Spain produces garnacha where old yielding vines produce intense, complex, full-bodied reds?

Answer 6

Priorat

Question 7

Spanish thick skinned grape that is drought tolerant but needs not, sunny conditions to ripen. Grown in south-eastern DOs?

Answer 7

Monastrell

Question 8

Spainish grape that is deeply colored, full bodied, high tannin and alcohol, low to medium acidity and ripe blackberry fruit?

Answer 8

Monastrell

Question 9

Spanish grape that is challenging to grow, but valuable in blends. Mainly cultivated in Rioja. adds black fruit aromas, acidity, and tannins?

Answer 9

Graciano

Question 10

Other name for Carinena in Rioja?

Answer 10

Mazuelo

Question 11

Describe mazuelo?

Answer 11

High in acidity, tannin, and color

Question 12

Where is Carinena grown?

Answer 12

In Rioja (mixed with Tempranillo), in Priorat (mixed with Garnacha)

Question 13

Spanish grape offering fresh fruit, medium to high acidity, and sometimes a hint of herbaceousness?

Answer 13

Mencia

Question 14

How do the fresh white wines of Spain keep their delicate fruit aromas?

Answer 14

Temperature controlled vats

Picking at night

Question 15

White grape of Spain highly susceptible to oxidation?

Answer 15

Verdejo

Question 16

White grape of Spain made in a similar style to Sauvignon Blanc. Light bodied, high acid, melon and peach flavored. Also can make sherry style wines?

Answer 16

Verdejo

Question 17

Thick skinned white grape of Spain that is resistant to fungal disease (useful in the damp climate where it’s grown). Naturally high in acidity and can produce wines with citrus and stone fruit flavors?

Answer 17

Albarino

Question 18

Where is the majority of Airen planted?

Answer 18

La Mancha

Question 19

Most widely planted grape variety in Spain?

Answer 19

Airen

Question 20

White grape used in the production of Brandy de Jerez?

Answer 20

Airen

Question 21

Main grapes of Cava?

Answer 21

Paralleda, Macabeo, Xarel-lo

Question 22

White wine grape of Spain often made into unoaked style with subtle herb and spice aromas?

Answer 22

Macabeo

Question 23

Wines are labelled as this if they do not fit into a PDO or PGI category?

Answer 23

Vino

Question 24

Four categories of PDO wines?

Answer 24

DO, DOP, DOCa, VP

Question 25

How are PGI wines labelled in Spain

Answer 25

VdlT - Vino de la Tierra

Question 26

What is Vinos de Pago?

Answer 26

category of a small group of highly regarded estates

Question 27

Minimum white and red aging requirements for Joven wines?

Answer 27

0 months

Question 28

Minimum aging requirement for white Crianza? Bottle and total age?

Answer 28

6 months in barrel....18 months total

Question 29

Minimum aging requirement for red crianza? Bottle and total?

Answer 29

6 months in barrel....24 total

Question 30

Aging requirements for white reserva?

Answer 30

6 months in barrel, 24 total

Question 31

Aging requirements for red criaza?

Answer 31

12 months in barrel...36 total

Question 32

Aging requirements for white gran reserva?

Answer 32

6 months in barrel...48 months total

Question 33

Aging requirements for red gran reserva?

Answer 33

18 months in barrel...60 months total

Question 34

Largest region for Vino de la Tierra wines?

Answer 34

Castilla y Leon

Question 35

3 sub regions of Rioja? Describe the wines?

Answer 35

Rioja Alavesa - lightest of Rioja, have the most finesse Rioja Baja Rioja Alta

Question 36

Climate of Rioja?

Answer 36

Alavesa and Alta are maritime. Baja is less Maritime with hotter summers and severe winters. Drought is an issue.

Question 37

Where in Rioja does Tempranillo best grow?

Answer 37

Alta and Alavesa

Question 38

Where in Rioja does Garnacha best grow?

Answer 38

Baja

Question 39

Most widely planted white grape of Rioja?

Answer 39

Viura

Question 40

Where is Navarra DO?

Answer 40

Borders Rioja to northeast

Question 41

Main red grape of Navarro?

Answer 41

Tempranillo

Question 42

Rose grape of Navarro?

Answer 42

Garnacha

Question 43

River that runs through Rioja and part of Navarro?

Answer 43

Ebro

Question 44

Climate of Carinena and Calatayud

Answer 44

Warm continental with low rainfall

Question 45

Where is Catalunya?

Answer 45

NE Spain / Barcelona is in Catalunya

Question 46

Where is Penedes DO?

Answer 46

Inside of Catalunya, NE Spain

Question 47

Main climate of Penedes?

Answer 47

Mediterranean getting more moderate at you move inward towards the West

Question 48

Where is Priorat?

Answer 48

NE Spain in Catalunya

Question 49

Why is Priorat prime real estate for Grenache?

Answer 49

Summers are long, hot and dry, annual rainfall is low

Question 50

Why are Priorat's wines never cheap?

Answer 50

Bush vines, steep slopes - no mechanisation. Old vines, low nutrients - low yields

Question 51

Red Spanish grape that produces wines with high tannins, medium to high alcohol and concentrated fruit, with toasty French oak aromas?

Answer 51

Priorat

Question 52

What is the Duero River?

Answer 52

same as the Duoro in Portugal. Starts south of Rioja, flows into Portugal

Question 53

Climate of Ribero del Duero?

Answer 53

Short, hot, and dry summers. Very cold winters. Shut off from any Maritime influence by mountains.

Question 54

Ribero del Duero DO is for red and rose wines only...T or F?

Answer 54

True

Question 55

Region of Spain producing red wines high in tannin and concentrated fruit flavors, aging their wines for a relatively short period of time in French oak?

Answer 55

Ribero del Duero

Question 56

Main grape of Toro?

Answer 56

Tempranillo

Question 57

Where is Toro and what is the climate?

Answer 57

West of Ribero del Duero, and northwest of Rueda. Sunny, hot

Question 58

Rueda concentrates on red wines....T or F?

Answer 58

False

Question 59

Main white grape of Rueda?

Answer 59

Verdejo

Question 60

Other white grape of Rueda?

Answer 60

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 61

Climate of Rias Biaxas?

Answer 61

moderate, damp - risk of mildew and rot

Question 62

Where is the Levante?

Answer 62

South of Catalunya, east of La Mancha

Question 63

Valencia, Jumilla, and Yecia are in what larger region?

Answer 63

Levante

Question 64

Main grape of Jumilla and Yecia?

Answer 64

Monastrell

Question 65

What is cencibel?

Answer 65

Tempranillo in La Mancha

Question 66

Where is Valepenas?

Answer 66

South of La Mancha