Spain Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is Vino de Pago?
- single estate with high reputation
- may use their own grapes
- must be vinified and matured on their estate
Classification
Vino de la Tierra > Vino de Calidad on Indication Geografica (VC) > Denominación de Origen (DOCa)
Vino de Pago
What is the main grape used in La Mancha
Airen
What is the majority estate in La Mancha
Vino de Pago
Describe La Mancha
- largest DO in Spain
- hot continental climate as it cut off from maritime influence
- More Cencibel+Airen is planted + international varieties
- mainly inexpensive wine
Name the sweet fortified wine in Valencia
Moscatel de Valencia
What is Rias Baixas most planted grape?
Albarino
- thick-skin = resist fungal disease
Describe Riax Baixas
- moderate maritime climate dominated by Atlantic weather system = mildew and hot = vine diseases
- vines are trained on pergolas or trellising system = encourage air circulation
- Albarino = thick-skinned = resist fungal disease
What is Graciano
- black grape
- high valued-grape
- part of the blend in Rioja (fine wine)
- concentrated black fruit aromas, acidity, tannins = give structure
Describe Grancha
- low-yield old vines
- produce intense, complex, full-bodied red
- high alcohol, used for rosados in Spain
- mature early
( > 50% Rioja entry level)
Describe Tempranillo
- thick-skinned grape, medium level of acidity
- best is summer temperature, moderated by summer altitude
- hot climate with high alcohol temperature range = wine with low acidity
Why Priorat is sold in premium price?
- steep slope = mechanization is impossible = expensive and time consuming to manage the vineyards
- best vines are in older bush vine = bring concentration to the grape but yield is small = expensive
- best soil = llicorella = low fertility = help to ripening by conserving heat = complexity of the wines
Supplementary:
1. Long, hot and dry summer with low annual rainfall and cool night temperature
2. hot continental climate (dual climate and variation)
5. mainly Grenache + Carinena
Why Priorate mainly use Grenache and Carinena to blend?
- Garnacha: low-yield old vines enable to produce an intense, complex full-bodied wine = richness and structure
- Carinena: high acidity, high tannin, deep colour when it achieves full ripeness
- Grenacha and Carinena = late ripening variety = achieve good level of ripeness in Priorat
After blending:
Carinena: deeper colour, more tannin structure, high acidity
Grenacha: more red fruit flavours and softness
which grape does Jumilla and Yecla usually use?
Monastrell
- thick-skinned, deeply coloured, full-bodied, high tannin and alcohol, low-medium acidity, ripe black fruit flavour
Name the grape that Navarra usually use.
- Tempranillo
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
Name the grape that Bierzo usually use.
Mencia
- elegant, high acidity, red fruit aromas
what is the ageing requirement of Rioja Gran Reserva
red: 60 months aging, 18 months in barrel
white: 48 months aging, 6 months in barrel
what is the ageing requirement of Rioja Reserva
red: 36 months aging, 12 months in barrels
white: 24 months aging, 6 months in barrel
Describe the grape the Toro use.
Tempranillo
- full-bodied = intense fruits flavour + high alcohol
Describe Ribera del Dureo
- best region from high-quality Tempranillo
- cut off from any maritime climate = short, hot and dry summers + cold winters
- cool night-time temperature throughout the year
- some vineyards planted over 850m = wide diurnal
- Tempranillo = deep colour + high tannins + concentrated flavours = good fresh fruit flavours and acidity
Describe the climate in Rias Baixas
- moderate maritime climate
- dominated by Altantic system
- Vine diseases such as rot are a common problem due to humid condition
Most white wine in Rias Biaxas are light, unbaked style. Name the two wine making techniques that can enhance flavour and texture
- use of oak = add extra flavour to the wine
- lees stirring = extra touch of texture to the wine
Rioja produce wide range of style. Explain how winemaking approached may affect the character of the wines from this region
Grapes:
Tempranillo offer tannin structures
Granacha offers body and alcohol
Fermentation:
Early drinking: semi-carbonic maceration = red fruit character
High quality: designed for long term maturation = destemmed and crushed. Extended extraction and different cap management produce different style of wine
Oak ageing:
French or American oak for a different period of time
New oak ageing: more spicy aroma
Eg. Gran Reserve: 60 months, 24 months in oak
