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Spain - CMS Intro Somm Flashcards

1
Q

What country has the largest planted acreage of any wine producing country?

A

Spain

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2
Q

Which countries are ahead of Spain in global wine production?

A

Italy and France

Despite having the largest vineyard area, Spain ranks third in wine production.

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3
Q

What is the geographical location of Spain?

A
  • 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
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4
Q

What geographical feature lies to the west of Spain?

A

Portugal

Portugal shares a border with Spain on the Iberian Peninsula.

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5
Q

Which ocean borders Spain to the north and northwest?

A

Atlantic Ocean

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6
Q

What sea borders Spain to the south and east?

A

Mediterranean Sea

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7
Q

What are the climates of Spain?

A

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

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8
Q

What is the name of the interior raised plateau in Spain?

A

Meseta

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9
Q

Describe the topography of Spain.

A

Very mountainous with an interior, raised plateau called the Meseta

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10
Q

What is the best known grape variety in Spain?

A

Tempranillo

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11
Q

How are Spanish wines without geographic indication labeled?

A

Vino

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12
Q

How are IGP Spanish wines (with geographic indication) labeled?

A

Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)

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13
Q

What are Vino de la Tierra (VdlT) wines in the context of Spanish wine labeling?

A

Similar to French Vin de Pays, noting a specific location yet with few requirements in terms of grape variety, yields, or aging

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14
Q

How are DOP Spanish wines (with geographic indication) labeled?

A
  • Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VCIG)
  • Denominación de Origen (DO)
  • Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa)
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15
Q

What are Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VCIG) wines in the context of Spanish wine labeling?

A

A category used as a gateway for current VdlT regions to gain DO status.

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16
Q

What are Denominación de Origen (DO) wines in the context of Spanish wine labeling?

A

Equates to the French AOC. Each DO has a regulatory body that is responsible for creating and defining wine law and regulations for it.

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17
Q

What are Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) wines in the context of Spanish wine labeling?

A

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.

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18
Q

What are Vinos de Pagos wines in the context of Spanish wine labeling?

A

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.

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19
Q

What are the main winemaking sections of Spain?

A
  • Rías Baixas DO
  • Rioja DOCa
  • Duero River Valley
  • Catalonia
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20
Q

What is the location of Rías Baixas DO?

A

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.

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21
Q

What region in Spain is known as ‘Green Spain’?

A

Northwest Spain

This area is characterized by relatively high rainfall, which contributes to its lush vegetation.

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22
Q

What type of climate is found in Rías Baixas DO, Northwest Spain?

A

Humid and maritime

This climate is influenced by the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and numerous rivers.

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23
Q

What types of soil are found in Rías Baixas DO, Northwest Spain?

A
  • Granite
  • Alluvial
  • Slate
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24
Q

What is the primary grape variety in Rías Baixas DO, Northwest Spain?

A

Albariño

Albariño accounts for 90% of plantings in this area.

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25
What must wines labeled with the grape variety Albariño contain in Rías Baixas DO, Northwest Spain?
100% Albariño
26
Most Spanish wine labels feature a geographic name, but in what area does the grape variety appear on the bottle?
Rías Baixas DO
27
What is the typical vinification method used in Rías Baixas DO, Northwest Spain?
Stainless-steel fermentation ## Footnote This method is used to produce crisp, dry, aromatic white wine.
28
Fill in the blank: Rías Baixas DO is located in the _______ corner of Spain.
northwest ## Footnote This location is adjacent to Portugal.
29
What percentage of plantings in Rías Baixas DO (Northwest Spain) does Albariño represent?
90%
30
What style of wine is typically produced in Rías Baixas DO, Northwest Spain?
Crisp, dry, aromatic white wine
31
What is Rioja known for?
Producing wines for over 2,000 years and being Spain’s highest-profile red wine region ## Footnote Rioja is named after the Oja, a small tributary of the Ebro river.
32
What was the first region in Spain to be named a DOCa?
Rioja
33
Where is the Rioja DOCa region located?
North-central Spain ## Footnote It is protected by the Pyrenees Mountains to the northeast and the Cantabrian Mountains to the northwest.
34
What geographical features protect the climate of Rioja DOCa, North Central Spain?
* The Pyrenees Mountains to the northeast * The Cantabrian Mountains to the northwest.
35
What is the climate of Rioja DOCa, North Central Spain?
Continental ## Footnote The mountains create a rain shadow, protecting the region from harsh Atlantic weather.
36
What are the three sub-regions within Rioja DOCa, North Central Spain?
* Rioja Alavesa * Rioja Alta * Rioja Baja ## Footnote Each sub-region has slightly different climates.
37
What is the primary white grape variety in Rioja DOCa, North Central Spain?
Viura
38
What are the primary red grape varieties in Rioja DOCa, North Central Spain?
* Tempranillo * Garnacha
39
What is the primary focus of quality categories in Rioja DOCa (North Central Spain) vinification?
Length and time of oak aging
40
Which type of oak was traditionally used in Rioja DOCa (North Central Spain) vinification?
American oak ## Footnote Today producers use French oak as well.
41
What are the aging quality levels for the wines of Rioja DOCa, North Central Spain?
* Crianza * Reserva * Gran Reserva
42
What is the aging requirement for Crianza wines in Rioja DOCa, North Central Spain?
A total of two years of aging before release
43
What are the aging requirements for Reserva wines in Rioja DOCa, North Central Spain?
Aged for three years, including one year in oak ## Footnote These wines are from the best sites, best vintages, and best selection of grapes.
44
What are the aging requirements for Gran Reserva wines in Rioja DOCa, North Central Spain?
Aged for at least two years in oak and three years in bottle ## Footnote These are generally sourced from the best sites and made only in top vintages. Gran Reserva wines are rare and can offer outstanding value.
45
True or False: Gran Reserva wines are commonly produced every vintage.
False
46
What are the appellations of the Duero River Valley, North Central Spain?
* Ribero del Duero DO * Toro DO * Ruedo DO
47
What is the climate of Ribera del Duero DO (Duero Valley, North Central Spain)?
Continental with very hot summers, cold winters, and extreme diurnal shifts ## Footnote This is a challenging climate.
48
What is the topography of Ribera del Duero DO (Duero Valley, North Central Spain)?
On the high central plateau (Meseta) at 2,500 feet, the highest elevation vineyards in Spain
49
What is the main red grape variety grown in Ribera del Duero DO (Duero Valley, North Central Spain)?
Tempranillo ## Footnote Known locally as "Tinto Fino"
50
How does the climate affect viticulture in Ribera del Duero DO (Duero Valley, North Central Spain)?
The high elevation and intense diurnal shifts allow grapes to get very ripe while preserving natural acidity in spite of the hot summers
51
What types of wines are produced in Ribera del Duero DO (Duero Valley, North Central Spain)?
Red wines only, with a small production of rosé
52
What is the climate of Toro DO (Duero Valley, North Central Spain)?
Continental, with extremely hot, dry summers
53
What is the main red grape variety grown in Toro DO (Duero Valley, North Central Spain)?
Tempranillo ## Footnote Known locally as "Tinto de Toro"
54
What is Toro DO (Duero Valley, North Central Spain) known for in terms of wine production?
Rich, intense red wines ## Footnote Made from the Tempranillo grape
55
What type of climate is found in Rueda DO (Duero Valley, North Central Spain)?
Continental
56
What are the main white grape varieties used in Rueda DO (Duero Valley, North Central Spain)?
* Verdejo * Sauvignon Blanc
57
What style of wine is Rueda DO (Duero Valley, North Central Spain) best known for?
Crisp, dry white wines ## Footnote Made from the Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc grapes
58
What are the appellations of Catalonia, Northeastern Spain?
* Penedès DO/Cava DO * Priorat DOCa
59
What is the Penedès DO (Catalonia, Northeastern Spain) most widely known for?
Cava country, producing an immense amount of traditional method sparkling wine
60
What is the geographical location of Penedès DO?
Environs of Barcelona reaching up into the Pyrenees Mountains at the French border ## Footnote Catalonia, Northeastern Spain
61
What is the climate of Penedès DO (Catalonia, Northeastern Spain)?
Mediterranean
62
What are the main grape varieties used in Penedès DO (Catalonia, Northeastern Spain)?
* Macabeo * Xarel-lo * Parellada ## Footnote White grapes
63
What vinification method is used for sparkling wines in Penedès DO (Catalonia, Northeastern Spain)?
Traditional method
64
What is Priorat DOCa?
One of two DOCa wines of Spain (DOQ in Catalan)
65
Describe the geography of Priorat DOCa.
A very rugged area just a few miles from the Mediterranean Sea, but completely isolated and surrounded by mountains ## Footnote Catalonia, Northeastern Spain
66
What type of climate does Priorat DOCa (Catalonia, Northeastern Spain) have?
Hot and dry
67
What is the main type of soil found in Priorat DOCa (Catalonia, Northeastern Spain) vineyards?
Stony schist soils, with the best vineyards situated on llicorella, a mix of black slate and quartzite
68
List the main red grape varieties grown in Priorat DOCa (Catalonia, Northeastern Spain).
* Garnacha (Grenache) * Cariñena (Carignan)
69
What are the characteristics of viticulture in Priorat DOCa (Catalonia, Northeastern Spain)?
* Low yields due to the climate * Vines must dig deep for water due to the nature of the soil
70
What is the typical style of wine produced in Priorat DOCa (Catalonia, Northeastern Spain)?
Intense, concentrated, dry red wines

CMS - Intro Somm (16 decks)

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