Spain

Question 1

Ribera del Duero - topogaphy?

Answer 1

The Meseta! (high central plateau); 2500ft, the highest elevation in Spain

Question 2

Rueda - climate?

Answer 2

Continental

Question 3

What characterizes the geography in Priorat DOCa?

Answer 3

• Rugged

- Only a few miles from Mediterranean BUT completely isolated by mountains

Question 4

What characterizes the location of Penedes DO / Cava DO?

Answer 4

Environs of Barcelona

Question 5

Rias Baixas - soil?

Answer 5

Granite, alluvial, slate

Question 6

Priorat is one of two __________ in Spain.

Answer 6

DOCa’s

Question 7

What percentage of plantings does Albarino account for in Rias Baixas?

Answer 7

90%

Question 8

Rias Baixas - what is the climate and why?

Answer 8

• Humid and Maritime

- Due to Atlantic and numerous rivers

Question 9

What are the aging requirement for a Gran Reserva?

Answer 9

• 2 years in oak and 3 years in bottle
• Generally sourced from best sites
• Only made in top vintages
• Rare and can offer outstanding value

Question 10

Define a Vinos de Pagos wine?

Answer 10

• Single estate wine noted as a great estate in Spain
• Can be within or outside of the DO system
• Wine WITHIN a DO must surpass basic DO requirements
• Wine OUTSIDE a DO must be made and bottled at that domain or estate

Question 11

Define a DOCa wine?

Answer 11

• Under DOP
• Denominacion de Origen Calificada
• Top quality wine regions in Spain
• Only two! Rioja and Priorat

Question 12

What characterizes the topography in Spain?

Answer 12

Mountains and the Meseta Plateau

Question 13

List the 4 wine classifications in Spain.

Answer 13

1. Vino
2. IGP Wines
3. DOP Wines (VCIG, DO, DOCa)
4. Vinos de Pagos

Question 14

What are the aging requirements for a Reserva?

Answer 14

• 3 years including 1 in oak

- Best sites, vintages, and grape selections

Question 15

Ribera del Duero - what characterizes the viticulture?

Answer 15

• High Elevation and Diurnal Shifts

- Allows grapes to get very ripe while preserving natural acidity

Question 16

If an Albarino is varietally labeled from Rias Baixas, what percentage must be in the bottle?

Answer 16

100%

Question 17

What is unique about Spain’s acreage under vine?

Answer 17

Largest planted acreage of any wine producing country

Question 18

What are the DOCa aging quality levels for red wines?

Answer 18

1. Crianza
2. Riserva
3. Gran Riserva

Question 19

What are the sub-classifications of DOP wines?

Answer 19

1. VCIG (Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica)
2. DO (Denominacion de Origen)
3. DOCa (Denominacion de Origen Calificada)

Question 20

Define a VCIG wine?

Answer 20

• Under DOP
• Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica
• Gateway category to become DO

Question 21

Name the 3 sub-regions of Rioja.

Answer 21

1. Rioja Alta
2. Rioja Alavesa
3. Rioja Baja

Question 22

Priorat DOCa - grape varieties?

Answer 22

• Garnacha (Grenache)

- Carinena (Carignan)

Question 23

Penedes DO / Cava DO - grape varieties?

Answer 23

• Macabeo
• Paralleda
• Xarel-lo

Question 24

What is Priorat’s DOC designation labeled in Catalan?

Answer 24

DOQ

Question 25

Toro - climate?

Answer 25

Continental (extremely hot, dry summers)

Question 26

Rioja - climate?

Answer 26

Continental

Question 27

What is another name for the Rias Baixas area and why?

Answer 27

"Green Spain"; receives a lot of rainfall, very lush

Question 28

Penedes DO / Cava DO - climate?

Answer 28

Mediterranean

Question 29

Name the 9 regions of Spain.

Answer 29

1. Penedes 2. Priorat 3. Rioja 4. Ribera del Duero 5. Rueda 6. Toro 7. Rias Baixas 8. La Mancha 9. Jerez-Xeres-Sherry

Question 30

What country does Spain border to the west?

Answer 30

Portugal

Question 31

What is Rioja DOCa named after?

Answer 31

- Oja, a small tributary of the main river, Ebro

Question 32

Where is Rioja located?

Answer 32

North-central Spain

Question 33

What are the aging requirements for a Crianza?

Answer 33

2 years of aging before release

Question 34

Where does Spain fall in global wine production? (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)

Answer 34

3rd

Question 35

Where is Penedes DO / Cava DO located and what is it known for?

Answer 35

- Barcelona | - Traditional method sparkling wine

Question 36

What fermentation vessels are used in Rias Baixas?

Answer 36

Stainless steel

Question 37

Ribera del Duero - grape varieties?

Answer 37

Tempranillo

Question 38

Define a DO wine?

Answer 38

- Under DOP - Denominacion de Origen - Equates to French AOC - Each DO has regulatory body

Question 39

Grape varieties in Rioja?

Answer 39

``` WHITE 1. Viura RED 1. Tempranillo 2. Garnacha ```

Question 40

Priorate DOCa - what characterizes the viticulture?

Answer 40

- Low yields due to climate | - Vines must dig deep for water due to soil

Question 41

How does the labeling of Albarino differ from that of other Spanish wines?

Answer 41

It is labeled by variety rather than geography

Question 42

What characterizes the geography in Rioja?

Answer 42

- Pyrenees Mountains (northeast) | - Cantabrian Moutnains (northwest)

Question 43

Rias Baixas - grape varieties?

Answer 43

Albarino

Question 44

What style of wine is Toro known for?

Answer 44

Rich, intense red wines

Question 45

What type of oak is used in Rioja?

Answer 45

Traditionally American; today French too

Question 46

Ribera del Duero DO - climate?

Answer 46

- Continental (very hot summers + cold winters) | - Diurnal Shifts

Question 47

Rueda - grape varieties?

Answer 47

1. Verdejo | 2. Sauvignon Blanc

Question 48

What is the most well-known grape variety in Spain?

Answer 48

Tempranillo

Question 49

Penedes DO / Cava DO - vinification?

Answer 49

Sparkling wines in the traditional method!

Question 50

Priorat DOCa - climate?

Answer 50

Hot and dry

Question 51

Aside from red wine, Ribera del Duero also produces a small amount of __________.

Answer 51

Rose

Question 52

Where is Rias Baixas DO located?

Answer 52

- Northwest corner of Spain | - Borders Portugal

Question 53

What bodies of water border Spain?

Answer 53

- Atlantic Ocean (north, northwest) | - Mediterranean Sea (south, east)

Question 54

Priorat DOCa - soils?

Answer 54

- Stony schist | - Best vineyards are located on "Ilicorella" (a mix of black slate and quartzite)

Question 55

What is "Ilicorella" and what wine region is it associated with?

Answer 55

- Mix of black slate and quartzite | - Priorate DOCa

Question 56

Name two things that make Rioja important as a Spanish wine region.

Answer 56

1. Highest profile red wine region in Spain | 2. 1 of 2 DOCa's

Question 57

What style of wine is Ruedw known for?

Answer 57

Crisp, dry white wines

Question 58

Which major wine regions are located in Northeastern Spain?

Answer 58

1. Penedes DO / Cava Do | 2. Priorat DOCa

Question 59

Which three regions comprise the Duero River Valley in Spain?

Answer 59

1. Ribera del Duero 2. Rueda 3. Toro

Question 60

What characterizes vinification in Rioja?

Answer 60

Oak aging

Question 61

Where is Spain located?

Answer 61

Eastern majority of the Iberian Peninsula

Question 62

What characterizes IGP wines? (3)

Answer 62

- Also called Vino de le Tierra (VdlT) - Similar to French "Vin de Pays" - Noting specific region yet few other requirements

Question 63

What is the local name for Tempranillo in Toro?

Answer 63

Tinto de Toro

Question 64

Rioja - primary climate moderator?

Answer 64

Rain shadow from Cantabrian (and Pyrenees?)

Question 65

Describe the wine style in Rias Baixas.

Answer 65

Crisp, dry aromatic whites

Question 66

Ribera del Duero - vinification?

Answer 66

Red wines only

Question 67

Toro - grape varieties?

Answer 67

Tempranillo

Question 68

What is the climate in Spain?

Answer 68

Cool maritime in the north to arid warm in the center and south

Question 69

What is the wine style in Priorat DOCa?

Answer 69

Intense, concentrated, dry red wines

Question 70

What is the local term for Tempranillo in Spain?

Answer 70

Tinto Fino