Spain Flashcards
(7 cards)
Describe Rias Baixas DO
Spain > Galicia > Northwestern coast along the Atlantic > Cool maritime > Granite, slate, sand > Albariño > Rías Baixas DO: Dry white. Known for high-acid, fresh, aromatic Albariño. Often fermented in stainless steel. Some blending with Loureira and Treixadura is allowed, but most wines are 100% Albariño.
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This is Spain’s benchmark for crisp, coastal white wines — definitely one of the key DOs to know.
Describe Rioja
Spain > North-Central Spain > Foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains > Continental with Atlantic influence > Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Viura > Rioja DOCa: Dry red and dry white. Red blends led by Tempranillo. Traditional use of American oak. Whites mostly from Viura.
Describe Ribera del Duero
Spain > Castilla y León > High plateau along the Duero River > Continental, high elevation > Tempranillo (Tinto Fino) > Ribera del Duero DO: Dry red. Powerful, structured wines, often 100% Tempranillo, with French oak influence.
Describe Rueda
Spain > Castilla y León > South of Ribera del Duero > Continental > Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, Viura > Rueda DO: Dry white. Crisp, herbaceous wines from Verdejo, sometimes blended with Sauvignon Blanc.
Describe Toro
Spain > Castilla y León > West of Ribera del Duero > Continental, hot and dry > Tinta de Toro (local Tempranillo clone) > Toro DO: Dry red. Bold, ripe Tempranillo wines with high alcohol.
Describe Pememdez/ Cava DO
Spain > Mainly Catalonia (Penedès) > Mediterranean > Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Parellada (traditional), plus Chardonnay and Pinot Noir > Cava DO: Traditional method sparkling white or rosé. Aged a minimum of 9 months on lees.
Describe Priorat
Spain > Catalonia > Inland from the Mediterranean coast > Hot, dry Mediterranean > Llicorella (black slate with quartz) > Garnacha, Cariñena > Priorat DOCa: Dry red. Rich, concentrated blends of Garnacha and Cariñena. One of only two DOCa regions in Spain (with Rioja).
