Spain_Wine Laws / Terms

Question 1

The two main categories that include all Spanish wines

Answer 1

DOP (Denominaciones de origen Protegida): Protected Designation of Origin Identifies products originating in a geographical place. The main quality qualification for Spanish wines.

IGP (indicación geográfica protegida):
Protected Geographical Indication. Wines
have wider regulations. Not all grapes need to be from stated geographical area

Question 2

The four tiers of Spain’s DOP
(Denominaciones de Origin Protegida)

Answer 2

• VP (Vinos de Pago): Single estate wines
• DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada): Qualified Designation of Origin
• DO (Denominación de Origin): Designation of Origin
• VC or VCIG (Vinos de calidad con Indicación Geográfica): Quality wines with Geographical Indiation

Question 3

What are Vinos de Pago (VP)
3 facts

Answer 3

• High-quality “single estate wines” in Spain that fall outside of the existing DO system (geographically or stylistically.)
• Must be grown, vinified, aged and bottled on estate.
• Must be “special.”

Question 4

Denominación de origin Calificada (DOCa)
• What is it
• 2 Facts
• Which 2 Appellations

Answer 4

• “Qualified designation of origin.”
• Has been a DO for at least 10 years
• Tighter regulations than DO
• Includes only Rioja and Priorat

Question 5

What is Denominación de Origin (DO)

Answer 5

• “Designation of Origin”
• High-quality Spanish wine appelations

Question 6

indicación geográfica protegida (IGP)
• What is it
• 2 Facts
• 1 Example

Answer 6

• “Protected Geographical Indication”
• wines have wider regulations.
• Not all grapes need to be from stated geological area.
• VT (Vino de la Tierra): “Wine from the earth” slightly higher quality than table wine

Question 7

Aging requirements for a Crianza in Spain

Answer 7

• Reds: minimum 2 years with 6 months in oak
• Whites/Rosés: minimum 18 months with 6 months in oak

Question 8

Aging requirements for a Reserva in Spain

Answer 8

• Reds: minimum 3 years with 12 months in oak
• Whites/Rosés: minimum 2 years with 6 months in oak

Question 9

Aging requirements for a Grand Reserva in Spain

Answer 9

• Reds: minimum 5 years with 18 months in oak
• Whites/Rosés: minimum 4 years with 6 months in oak

Question 10

What does “Noble” indicate

Answer 10

A DOP term for Spanish wines aged 18 months in a cask no larger than 600L or in the bottle

Question 11

What does “añejo” indicate

Answer 11

A DOP term for Spanish wine aged 24 months in a cask no larger than 600L or in the bottle

Question 12

What does “Viejo” indicate

Answer 12

A DOP term for Spanish wine aged 36 months in a cask no larger than 600L and must be oxidized

Question 13

What does joven indicate

Answer 13

young unaged Spanish wines, usually released the year after their vintage

Question 14

What does Viñas Viejas indicate

Answer 14

Old vines in Spain. Each region will have their own minimum age (usually 35 years or older)

Question 15

What is Cosecha

Answer 15

Spanish term for harvest or vintage

Question 16

Consejo Regulador
3 Facts

Answer 16

• Spanish for Regulatory Board
• Governing body that enforces Spanish wine regulations
• Each DO has one

Question 17

What was the Spanish Inquisition
What years

Answer 17

• A Judicial Institution created to combat heresy, but resulted in consolidation of power, death and suffering
• 1478-1834 (356 years)