What is the lowest run on the Spanish wine quality ladder?
Vino de Mesa
What are the Spanish wine levels?
Vino de Mesa
Vine de la Tierra (VT or VdLT)
Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geographica (VCIG)
Denominacion de Origen (DO)
Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOC)
DO Pago (VP or Vino de Pago)
What is Vino de la Tierra (VdLT) the equivalent to in France?
Vin de Pays
What purpose does VCIG (Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geographica) serve in Spain?
Gateway between VdLT (Vino de la Tierra) and DO status
How long after being a VCIG (Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geographica) can one apply to be DO (Denominacion de Origen)?
5 yrs
When was VCIG (Vino de Calidad con Indicacion Geographica) created?
2003
How many DO’s are there in Spain?
69
When was the DOC (Denominacion de Calificada) Created in Spain?
1988
What was the first DOC wine region?
Rioja
How many DOC regions are there today?
2
What are the 2 DOC regions in Spain?
Rioja DOC (1988) Priorato DOC (2003)
Name one criteria that has to do with pricing for DOC wines?
The average price of wines must be double the national average for DO wines
What are the general aging requirements in Spain (w/exceptions) for Crianza wines? Red and White.
Red - 2 yrs (6 months cask)
White - 18 months (6 months in cask)
What are the general aging requirements in Spain (w/exceptions) for Reserva wines? Red and White.
Red - 3 yrs (1 yr cask)
White - 2 yrs (6 month cask)
What are the general aging requirements in Spain (w/exceptions) for Gran Reserva wines? Red and White.
Red - 5 yrs (18 month cask)
White - 4 yrs (6 month cask)
In Spain if it says “Noble” on bottle, how long must it be aged for?
18 months in cask of 600 L or less or Bottle
In Spain if it says “Anejo” on the bottle, how long must it be aged for?
24 months in cask of 600 L or less or bottle
In Spain if it says “Viejo” on the bottle how long must it be aged for?
36 months and must demonstrate marked oxidative character
What is “Cosecha”?
Harvest (Vintage)
What is “Criadera”?
Collection of vintage wines in barrels making up the younger part of a Solera
What is “Joven”?
Young wine
What is “Orujo”?
Similar to Grappa or Marc (distillate made from grape pomace)
What does “Roble” mean?
“oak” usually meaning the wine has spent a little time in barrel (usually under 6 months)
What is “Vendimia”?
Harvest (Vintage)
What is “Rama”?
Unfiltered wine
What are the DO’s in Galicia?
Rias Biaxas DO Ribeiro DO Valdeorras DO Ribeira Sacra DO Monterrei DO
What are the 5 subzones of Rias Biaxas DO?
Riberia do Ulla Val do Salnes Soutomaoir Condado do Tea O Rosal
What is the primary grape in Rias Biaxas DO?
Albarino (90% vineyard area)
What is the most important Rias Biaxas subzone?
Val do Salnes
What is the typical training system in Rias Biaxas DO?
Pergola
What river separates Spain from Portugal?
Mihno
What types of soil are typical for Rias Biaxas DO?
Granite
What are the allowed styles in Rias Biaxas DO?
Albarino (100%)
Blanco and Blanco Barrico
Blanco with Subzone
Tinto
What % of Albarino is required in the blanco of subzones: Riberia do Ulla, Val do Salnes?
70%
What 2 grapes must constitute 70% of the blend in Condado do Tea subzone of Rias Biaxas DO?
Albarino
Treixadura
What 2 grapes must constitute 70% of the blend in the O Rosal subzone of Rias Biaxas DO?
Albarino
Loureira
What 4 grapes are recommended in the Blanco wines of Rias Biaxas DO?
Albarino
Treixadura
Loureira
Caina Blanca
What is the favored white grape of Ribeiro DO?
Treixadura
What is the favored red grape of Ribeiro DO?
Caino Tinto
What non-dry wine will you find in Ribeiro DO?
Vino Tostado (dried grape wine)
6 months oak or cherry cask
3 month drying min
What is the reasoning behind the name “Sacred Bank”?
Along the Mihno River where there is a high concentration of churches
What is another name for Ribeira Sacra DO?
Sacred Bank
What is the most important red grape in Ribeira Sacra DO?
Mencia
What white grapes make the top wines in Ribeira Sacra DO
Treixadura
Godello
What are the 5 subregions of Ribeira Sacra DO?
Chantada Ribeiras do Mino Amandi Quiroga-Bibei Ribeiras do Sil
What is the terrain of Ribeira Sacra DO?
Steep Steep Terraces
What is the Eastern-most DO in Galicia?
Valdeorras DO
What is the most prominent grape in Valdeorras DO?
Godello
What is the Crianza aging requirements in Valdeorras DO?
Red - 2 yrs (12 month cask)
White - 2 yrs (6 month cask)
What is the primary red grape in Valdeorras DO?
Mencia
What varietal wines are allowed to be made in Valdeorras DO?
Mencia
Godello
Where in Galicia is Monterrei DO?
Southern Galicia east of Rias Biaxas DO
What are the 2 Subzones of Monterrei DO?
Valle de Monterrei
Ladera de Monterrei
What are the 3 DO’s of Basque Country (Pais Vasco)?
Arabako Txakolina (Chacoli de Alava) DO Bizkaiko Txakolina (Chacoli de Bizcaia) DO Getaraiko Txakolina (Chacoli de Guetaria) DO
What grape constitutes 95% of vineyard acreage in Getaraiko Txokolina (Chacoli de Guetaria) DO?
Ondarrabi Zuri/Hondarribi Zuri (white)
What is the red grape of Basque Country (Pais Vasco)?
Ondarrabi Beltza/Hondarribi Beltza
What is the traditional name for Rose wines in Basque Country (Pais Vasco)?
Ojo de Gallo (often blends of the 2 grapes)
What does Castilla y Leon mean?
Land of Castles
What is the climate of Castilla y Leon?
Continental tempered by proximity to Atlantic and Mediterreanean
Where is the majority of Castilla y Leon situated?
Meseta Central, an Arid plateau surrounded by mountains with the Duero River running through it
What are the 3 VCIG’s (Vino de Calidad con Indicacion Geographica) in Castilla y Leon?
Sierra de Salmanca VCIG
Valles de Benavente VCIG
Valtiendas VCIG
What are the 9 DO’s of Castilla y Leon?
Bierzo DO Tierra de Leon DO Arribes DO Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO Toro DO Rueda DO Cigales DO Arianza DO Ribera del Duero DO
What is the primary grape of Bierzo DO?
Mencia (74.5% of plantings)
Where are the best vineyards located in Bierzo DO?
On the terraced schist slopes
What white grapes are primarily used in Bierzo DO?
Dona Blanca
Godello
Who are the top Pioneers in Bierzo DO?
Decendientes de Palacios (Alvaro Palacios)
Ultreia (Raul Perez)
What % Mencia is required for rose and red wines in Bierzo?
50% for Rose
70% for Red
Where is Arribes DO located?
Along the border of Portugal straddling the Duero River
What is the primary white grape of Arribes DO?
Malvasia (min 60%)
What are the primary red grapes of Arribes DO?
Juan Garcia
Rufete
Tempranillo
What is Clarete in Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO?
A Darker style rose with 30% min Tempranillo fermented on the skins
What is the climate in Toro DO?
Low rain (under 16") Hot days, Cool nights
What are the geological features of Toro DO?
Duress River
High altitude - 1970-2460ft (600-700m)
What is the main red grape in Toro DO? How much is required in the Tinto blend?
Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) (min 75%)
Who are the top producers in Toro DO?
Farina
Numanthia
Who was a pioneer in reviving Rueda DO?
Marquis de Riscal
What type of wines are you likely to find in Rueda DO?
Whites from Verdejo (min 50%)
92% of the plantings
What is Rueda Dorado?
Vin de Licor
4 yrs aging (2 in wood)
Dry oxidized and fortified
What is the Crianza requirements for Rueda DO?
Blanco/rosado - 18 month (6 oak)
Tinto - 2 yrs (6 oak)
What are the Reserva requirements for Rueda DO?
Blanco Rosado - 2 yrs (6 oak)
Tinto - 3 yrs (1 oak)
What are the Gran Reserva requirements for Rueda DO?
Blanco/Rosado - 4 yrs (6 oak)
Tinto - 5 yrs (24 oak/36 bottle)
what are the geological features of Rueda DO?
High Flat Plateau and Duero River
What is the climate of Ribera del Duero DO?
Hot days cool nights
What styles of wine are allowed in Ribera del Duero DO?
Reds/Rose
What is the primary grape of Ribera del Duero DO?
Tinto del Pais/Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)
What is the most famous estate in Ribera del Duero DO?
Vega Sicilia
What is the flagship wine of Vega Sicilia?
Unico
What are the Crianza requirements for Ribera del Duero DO?
Rosado - 2 yrs (6 oak)
Tinto - 2 yrs (12 oak)
What are the Reserva requirements for Ribera del Duero DO?
Tinto - 3 yrs (12 oak)
What are the Gran Reserva requirements for Ribera del Duero DO?
24 oak-36 bottle
What Mountains protect Rioja DOC?
Sierra Cantabria (N) Sierra Iberico (S) Pyrenees (NE)
What are the 3 Subregions of Rioja DO and what wine making Autonomia are they located in?
Rioja Alta (La Rioja) Rioja Alavese (Pais Vasco/Basque Country) Rioja Baja (Navarra)
What were the first 2 Rioja producers?
Marquis de Riscal
Marquis de Murrietta
What 3 famous Rioja houses started up in the 1890’s in Haro?
Lopez de Heredia
CVNE
La Rioja Alta
What area did Rioja supply wines to when Phylloxera broke out?
Bordeaux
What is the primary white grape of Rioja DOC?
Viura (Macabeo)
What are the Crianza aging requirements in Rioja DOC?
Blanco/Rosado - 2 yrs (6 oak)
Tinto - 2 yrs (1 oak)
What are the Reserva aging requirements for Rioja DOC?
Blanco/Rosado - 2 yrs (6 oak)
Tinto - 3 yrs (1 oak)
What are the Gran Reserva aging requirements for Rioja DOC?
Blanco/Rosado - 4 yrs (6 oak)
Tinto - 2yr oak - 3 yr bottle
What is Navarra most famous for?
Rosado wine
What are the main red varietals in Navarra?
Garnacha
Tempranillo
What are the 5 subzones of Navarra DO?
Tierra Estella Valdizarbe Baja Montana Ribera Alta Ribera Baja
What 3 DO Pagos are located in Navarra?
Senorio de Arinzano (Tierra Estella) Prado Irache (Tierra Estella) Bodegas Otazu (Valdizarbe)
What are the 4 DO’s of Aragon?
Calatayud DO
Campo de Borja DO
Carinena DO
Somontano DO
What is the primary grape of Campo de Borja DO?
Garnacha
What is the primary grape in Carinena?
Garnacha
What is the primary grape in Calatayud?
Garnacha
Where is the ancestral home of Carignan(Mazuelo)?
Carinena DON
What types of grapes might you find in Somontano DO?
Alcanon (white)
Parraleta (red)
What does Somontano DO translate to?
Beneath the mountain or At the foot of the mountain
What mountian ranges is Aragon sandwiched between?
Pyrenees (North)
Iberic (South)
What are the 12 DO’s of Catalunya?
Empordá DO Catalunya DO Alella DO Plá de Bages DO Cava DO Penédes DO Conca de Barberá Costers del Segre DO Tarragona DO Montsant DO Terra Alta DO Vino Dulce de Heilo
What is the DOC of Catalunya?
Priorat DOC (2000)
What is the primary soil of Priorat DOC?
Llicorella (Brown Slate and Quartz)
What are the 12 subregions of Priorat?
Solanes del Terme de el Molar Bellmunt del Priorat Masos del Terme de Falset Porrera Grattollops El Lloar La Vilella Baixa La Vilella Alta Torrera del Priorat Poboleda Escaladei La morera de Montsant
What is Carignena (Mazuelo) called in Priorat DOC?
Samso
If the subzone is included on the wine label in Priorat DOC, what is generally written on the label?
Vi de la Vila
What year were the first “Clos” wines made in Priorat?
1989
What were the 5 “Clos” wines jointly made?
Clos Mogador (Rene Barbier) Clos Dofi (Alvaro Palacios) Clos Erasmus Clos de l'Obac Clos Martinet
What surrounds Priorat DOC?
Montsant DO
What are the Dominant varieites in Montsant DO?
Garnacha
Carinena
What types of wines is Emporda DO most known for?
Carinena Rosados
What is Xarel-lo known as in Alella DO?
Pansa Blanca
What differentiates the 3 subzones of Penedes?
Altitude
What are the subzones of Penedes DO?
Baix-Penedes
Medio-Penedes
Alt-Penedes
What is a principal grape in Alt-Penedes?
Parellada
What red grape thrives in Medio-Penedes?
Ulle de Llebre (Tempranillo)
What red grapes thrive in Baix-Penedes?
Garnacha (Garnatxa)
Monastrell
What ancient sweet wine has been rescued in Baix-Penedes?
Malvasia de Sitges
What 2 producers rescued Malvasia de Sitges?
Vega de Ribes
Hospital de Sant Joan Baptista
What % of Cava is produced in Penedes?
95%
What are the primary grapes of Cava DO?
Parellada
Macabeo
Xarel-lo
What red grapes may be used in Cava DO?
Pinot Noir
Monastrell
Garnacha
Trepat (only Rose)
What are the aging levels of Cava DO?
Cava (9 months lees)
Reserva (15 months lees)
Gran Reserva (30 months lees)
Who introduced Metodo Classico wines to Cava?
Jose Raventos of Codorniu
What are the 2 largest sparkling producers in the world?
Freixenet
Codorniu
What invention did the Spanish give to sparkling winemaking?
Gyropalette
What style of wines were tradional in Tarragona DO?
Rancio or Mistella
What are the two DO’s of The Balearic Islands?
Pla i Levant DO
Binassalem Mallorca
What indigenous grapes might you find in the Balearic Island DO’s?
Manto Negro
Moll (Prensal Blanc)
What are the 3 DO’s of Valencia?
Valencia DO
Utiel-Requena DO
Valencia DO
What famous dish is from Valencia?
Paella
What indigenous white grape are you likely to find in Valencia?
Merseguera
What red grape are you likely to find in Valencia?
Bobal
What is Fondillón?
A solera style dessert wine from overripe monastrell aged for 10 yrs min
Where would you find Fondillón?
Alicante DO
What is Doble Pasta?
red wines macerated with 2x the amount of skins and pulp
What are the 3 DO’s of Murcia?
Yecla
Jumilla
Bullas
What red grape dominates the Murcia DO’s?
Monastrell