What Spanish autonomia borders Portugal in the northwestern part of the country?
Galicia
What are the 3 autonomias of Spain’s Basque Country?
Asturias, Cantabria, Pais Vasco
What is the climate of Galicia and why?
Cooler maritime because of Atlantic’s influence: High average rainfall + cool moisture + bearing winds and mists
What are the 5 DOs of Galicia?
Rias Baixas, Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras, Monterrei
What are the 5 subzones of Rias Biaxas? (North to South)
Ribeiro do Ulla, Val do Salnes, Soutomaior, Condado do Tea, O Rosal
Which subzones border Portgual?
Condado do Tea, O Rosal
What is the difference between the northern and southern subzones of Rias Biaxas?
If labeled with the northern subzones of Val do Salnes or Ribeira do Ulla, it must contain at least 70% authorized varieties (Albarino, Loureiro, Treixadura, Caino Blanco). Southern subzones Condado do Tea and O Rosal require a minimum of 70% Albarino, combined with Loureiro or Treixadura.
Are red wines allowed in Rias Biaxas?
Yes, but 90% plantings are white grapes. Red wines are made from Caino, Espadeiro, and Mencia. Rose is not authorized but sparkling wine from authorized grapes is.
What is the primary river that runs through Galicia?
Val do Salnes is the coolest and wettest, located along the coast. Condado do Tea in the south and Ribeira do Ulla are the warmest, because they are in land.
What styles of wine does Ribeiro DO produce?
Red, white, sparkling, and “vino Tostado” a dried grape wine. Treixadura is the favored white grape (+ other Galacian whites) and Caino Tinto is favored red grape.
What does Ribeiro Castes mean?
Ribeiro Castes are red and white wines, with higher minimum alcohol percentages than standard Ribeiro red/white. The category also requires 100% of the preferred grapes, and has lower maximum yields. Ribeiro sparkling and Ribeiro vino Tostado can also only be exclusively preferred grapes.
Where is the Ribeira Sacra DO and what is it known for?
Ribeira Sacra, or “sacred bank” is named for its large concentration of churches. Its located further inland and from the coast, along the Mino River.
What are the 5 subregions of Ribeira Sacra?
Amandi, Chantada, Quiroga-Bibei, Riberas do Sil, Riberas do Mino
What is the Ribeira Sacra region known for?
Dry red wines of the Mencia grape. [Brancellao Souson, + others]
How does the climate differ from the more coastal DO’s?
More continental, less Atlantic influence, lower humidity
What are Ribeira Sacra white wines made of?
Albarino, Godello, Treixadura, Loureira (etc)
What is Ribeira Sacra Summum?
Red Summum must be at least 85% preferred red grapes, white must be 100% here is Blanco Summum + Blanco Barrica (no regular Blanco) vs. Tinto Summum, Tinto Barrica, + Tinto regular.
Where are the subregions of Amandi – Chantada – Quiroga-Bibei – Ribeiras do Mino – Ribeiras do Sil?
Ribeira Sacra
What is the easternmost zone of Galicia? Known for?
Valdeorras DO, known for Godello-based white wines. It is sandwiched right between Ribeira Sacra and Castilla y Leoris Bierzo. The River Sil is its main landscape feature.
What other wines can Valdeorras produce?
Sparkling wine (85% Godello) Valdeorras Tostado (sweet wine).
What is Valdeorras “Castas Nobles”?
Red or white wines with minimum 85% recommended varieties
Wine styles of Monterrei DO:
Red and white wines – traditional Galician varieties
Where is the Tamega River?
Tributary in Duoro River basin that runs through Monterrei DO, where most wines are planted.
What are the 2 subzones of the Monterrei DO?
Ladera de Monterrei and Val de Monterrei
How does the climate of Monterrei compare to the rest of Galicia?
Very different: inland location, more similar to western Castilla y Leon. Major rain shadow effect of the Sierra de Larouca mountains.
What are the 3 subzones of the Pias Vasco autonomia?
Getariako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, Arabako Txakolina
What styles of wines are produced in Getariako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, Arabako Txakolina DOs?
All 3 DOs can produce red/white/rose
What are the grapes of the Txakolina region?
Ondarrabi Zuri, Ondarrabi Beltza (red)
What are the blending partner grapes used in Txakolina white wines?
Gros Manseng, Petit Corbu, Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc…but these cannot account for more than 20% of a producer’s total acreage.
What is “Ojo de Gallo” and where is it from/made of?
Ojo de Gallo is the traditional name for the Txakolina rose wines, made with a minimum of the red grape Ondarrabi Beltza
What is the climate of the Basque country + major landscapes features?
Maritime climate, high rainfall and mild tempuratures. Basque Mountain range runs the length of the region, most vineyards are located near the coast.
What is Basque Country’s Appellation for cider production?
Sidre de Asturias DOP
Summary of Sidre de Asturias DOP…
*5% minimum alcohol *Sweetness deignations = dry/semi-dry/sweet *Chaptalization prohibited *Addition of caramel color OK *Fermentation/aging/bottling all must take place in Asturias *Addition of CO2 from any source outside fermentation prohibited
