Spain - Pauls

Question 1

The South and East of Spain directly faces which Ocean?

Answer 1

The Mediterranean Ocean, warm/dry conditions.

Question 2

In Spain the climate is generally warm, however what influences are there in the North West and North East?

Answer 2

The North West is more maritime with high levels of rainfall throughout the year. The North East is more continental, with the Atlantic Ocean being guarded by mountains.

Question 3

What is the Meseta? What influences does it have?

Answer 3

It is a big raised plateau of land within the Iberian Peninsula (central Spain) it has an average altitude of 660m, contributing to a continentiality and diurnal range.

Question 4

Which of the following is true?
A) 88% vineyards plots are less than 3 h/a
B) 88% vineyard plots are larger than 30 h/a

Answer 4

A)

It is the land of the small vineyard.

Question 5

Where does Spain rank globally in vineyard plantings and production by volume?

Answer 5

Spain has the most area under vine (967,000 ha) in the World, but is only 3rd for production by volume. This is largely due to bush vine plantings at low densities to cope with low rainfall.

Question 6

What hazard is there for vineyards in continental climates?

Answer 6

Potential spring frosts.

Question 7

What is the most planted white and black grape variety in Spain? What percentage of plantings do the account for respectively?

Answer 7

Airen and Tempranillo. Airen accounts for over 20% of plantings in Spain, Tempranillo accounts for 20%.

Question 8

Outside of Airen and Tempranillo, what are the next most planted grape varieties?

Answer 8

Bobal, Garnacha, Macabeo and Monastrell. They all sit at around 5% of total vineyard plantings.

Question 9

Tempranillo is early ripening and has the ability to produce high yields, creating inexpensive wines. However what might premium producers do?

Answer 9

Premium producers limit the yields, to increase concentration. The use of oak (American predominantly) can also be used to create structured wines.

Question 10

Ageing requirements for reds and whites/rose in Spain are indicated by the following terms: Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. What is an easy way to remember requirements for white and rose wines?

Answer 10

Whites and Rose’s will always have a minimum of 6 months barrel ageing regardless of its category:

Crianza: 6 months in barrel, 18 month total min.
Reserva: 6 months in barrel, 24 months total min.
Gran Reserva: 6 months in barrel, 48 months total min.

Question 11

List the ageing requirements for red Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva wines.

Answer 11

Crianza: 6 months barrel / 24 months total min.
Reserva: 12 months barrel / 36 months total min.
Gran Reserva: 18 months barrel / 60 months total min.

Tip: The barrel ageing goes up 6 months min with each category.

Question 12

Which of the following statements is true about Vino de Pagos?
A) They are generic wines, mass produced.
B) They are small single estates with high reputation.
C) They are traditional old oxidative style white wines.

Answer 12

The correct answer is B. They are small with high reputation, must use their own grapes and vinify on site. Most are found in Castilla-La Mancha.

Question 13

How many regions have DOCa/DOQ level status?

Answer 13

Just 2 regions. There are 70 regions with DO status.

Question 14

There are 40 VT (Vino de la Tierra) areas in Spain. What level/category are these wines?

Answer 14

PGI level.

Question 15

Where is Galicia and what is the most widely planted grape variety there?

Answer 15

Located in the North West of Spain, Albarino is the most planted grape variety.

Question 16

Rias Baixas is within the Galician Region, why is vintage variation a factor hear?

Answer 16

Because of high rainfall. It averages 1,700mm per year causing vintage variation.

Question 17

Grab a pen and paper! Match the correct terms with each sub region in Rias Baixas: Val do Salnes, O Rosal, Condado do Tea, Ribeira do Ulla, Soutomaior

A) Smallest subzone
B) Warm, inland site with riper styles.
C) Newest Subzone, inexpensive styles.
D) Oldest and largest sub zone, coastal breezes.
E) On Portuguese border, often blended with lower acid.

Answer 17

A) Soutomaior
B) Condado do Tea
C) Ribeira do Ulla
D) Val do Salnes
E) O Rosal

Question 18

Outside of Rias Baixas, other Galician regions include Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras and Monterrei. What grape varieties are they known for?

Answer 18

Ribeiro: Treixadura (fresh whites)
Ribeiro Sacra: Mencia (perfurmed reds)
Valdeorras: Godello (citrus/stone whites) and Mencia (oaked)
Monterrei: Mencia and Godella, inexpensive.

Question 19

Bierzo DO, Toro DO, Ribera del Duero DO are all part of which Province?

Answer 19

Castilla Y Leon. This province has a high plateau with large continental climate. Aside from the quality DO’s listed, large Castilla y Leon VT is produced.

Question 20

80% of vineyards in Bierzo Do are estimated to be over 60 years old, what grape variety must make up 70% of the blend here?

Answer 20

Mencia. Producing a range from fruity medium bodied wines to more premium medium + bodied wines with red cherry, plum, herbal notes.

Question 21

Which Galician region is producing premium deep full bodied redsfrom the grape variety Tinta de Toro?

Answer 21

Toro DO. Commercial carbonic wines also produced.

Question 22

Which statement is true about Ribera del Duero?

A) Low altitude, producing Mencia dominated wines.
B) High altitude, producing Tempranillo dominated blends.

Answer 22

B. Diurnal range is key for slow full ripening of grapes, bush vines common, hot/dry continental climate. Full bodied wines.

Question 23

Which DO in Castilla y Leon produces crisp whites from Verdejo and Sauvignon?

Answer 23

Rueda DO.

Question 24

What are the three sub zones of Rioja?

Answer 24

Rioja Alta: Largest zone.
Rioja Alavesa: Smallest zone
Rioja Oriental: Driest zone, can have good diurnal range

Question 25

Which red and white grape dominate in Rioja?

Answer 25

Tempranillo and Viura (Macabeo).

Question 26

Rioja has slightly different ageing requirements for Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. What are they?

Answer 26

Crianza: 12 months barrel, 24 total.
Reserva: 12 months barrel, 36 total.
Grand Reserva: 24 barrel, 60 total.

(for reds).

Question 27

Which of the following statemdents is true about the Rioja wine trade?

A) 75% production is exported, with small producers accounting for 50% of total wine sales.
B) 40% production is exported, with the top 13 producers accounting for 50% of total wine sales.

Answer 27

B. Exports now at 40%, up 25% since 2008. 80% of the smallest producers account for just 11% of sales, with the top producers taking 50% of market share. Cooperatives end up buying much of the fruit from the 15,000 or so grape growers.

Question 28

Name 4 different styles of wine you might find in Navarra DO.

Answer 28

1) Single Varietal and blended Tempranillo.
2) Premiium bush vine Garnacha.
3) Unoaked Chardonnay.
4) Deep dry rose.

Question 29

Which region has Carinena DO, Campo de Borja DO and Calatayud DO?

Answer 29

Aragon DO. Dry and hot, largely red wines from Garnacha. High volume and inexpensive.

Question 30

Priorat DOC is warm and dry producing premium wines from what grape varieties?

Answer 30

Garnacha and Carinena predominantly. Cab Sav, Merlot and Syrah, some whites made.

Question 31

Penedes has 3 sub zones, Maritim, Central and Superior. Match them with the following statements:

A) plains up to 500m so cooler, merlot, cab sav, tempranillo, chardonnay.

B) Warm, low altitude coastal zone, full bodied reds from Monastrell.

C) Higher altitidue, 800m, diurnal range, aromatic whites, chardonnay, sauvignon and Riesling.

Answer 31

A) Penedes Central.

B) Penedes Maritim.

C) Penedes Superior.

Question 32

Which Catalunya DO is the flatter and warmer version of Priorat?

Answer 32

Montstant DO.

Question 33

What do Costas del Segrel DO produce outside of still wines?

Answer 33

Fizz

Question 34

What is another name for Carignan in Spain?

Answer 34

Mazuelo