Spain - CMS Intro Somm Flashcards
(80 cards)
What are the sections of Spain?
- Rioja
- Rueda
- Rías Baixas
- Toro
- Ribera del Duero
- Priorat
- Penedès
- La Mancha
- Jerez-Xéres-Sherry
What country has the largest planted acreage of any wine producing country?
Spain
Which countries are ahead of Spain in global wine production?
Italy and France
Despite having the largest vineyard area, Spain ranks third in wine production.
What is the geographical location of Spain?
- Eastern majority of the Iberian Peninsula, with Portugal on its
western border - Atlantic Ocean to the north and northwest
- Mediterranean Sea to the south and east
What geographical feature lies to the west of Spain?
Portugal
Portugal shares a border with Spain on the Iberian Peninsula.
Which ocean borders Spain to the north and northwest?
Atlantic Ocean
What sea borders Spain to the south and east?
Mediterranean Sea
What are the climates of Spain?
There are a variety of climates depending on the location, from cool maritime in the north to arid warm in the center of the country and to the south
What is the name of the interior raised plateau in Spain?
Meseta
Describe the topography of Spain.
Very mountainous with an interior, raised plateau called the Meseta
What is the best known grape variety in Spain?
Tempranillo
How are Spanish wines without geographic indication labeled?
Vino
How are IGP Spanish wines (with geographic indication) labeled?
VdlT (Vino de la Tierra)
What are VdlT (Vino de la Tierra) wines in the context of Spanish wine labeling?
Similar to French Vin de Pays, noting a specific location yet with few requirements in terms of grape variety, yields, or aging
How are DOP Spanish wines (with geographic indication) labeled?
- VCIG (Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica)
- DO (Denominación de Origen)
- DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada)
What are VCIG (Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica) wines in the context of Spanish wine labeling?
A category used as a gateway for current VdlT regions to gain DO status.
What are DO (Denominación de Origen) wines in the context of Spanish wine labeling?
Equates to the French AOC. Each DO has a regulatory body that is responsible for creating and defining wine law and regulations for it.
What Spanish PDO category equates to the French AOC?
DO (Denominación de Origen)
What are DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada) wines in the context of Spanish wine labeling?
A step above the DO category recognizing the top quality wine regions in Spain. To date there are two wine regions recognized as DOCa: Rioja and Priorat.
What are Vinos de Pagos wines in the context of Spanish wine labeling?
A single estate wine designation that can be situated outside of the DO system. The wine from a DO Pago must be made and bottled at that domain or estate. An estate within an existing DO must surpass the basic DO requirements.
What are the main winemaking sections of Spain?
- Rías Baixas DO
- Rioja DOCa
- Duero River Valley
- Catalonia
What is the location of Rías Baixas DO?
Borders Portugal in the northwest corner of Spain.
This area is called “Green Spain” because of its relatively high rainfall for Spain, which results in lush vegetation.
What region in Spain is known as ‘Green Spain’?
Northwest Spain
This area is characterized by relatively high rainfall, which contributes to its lush vegetation.
What type of climate is found in Rías Baixas DO, Northwest Spain?
Humid and maritime
This climate is influenced by the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and numerous rivers.
