Varieties/Soils/Vineyards of Spain Flashcards
(99 cards)
1
Q
Who regulates irrigation in Spain?
A
The consejo regulador of each autonomia
2
Q
Name three DO’s with ancient vines.
A
- Toro
- Rueda (Sandy soils)
- Rioja
3
Q
What is the most common pest in Spain?
A
European grapevine moth
4
Q
What is the average holding size in Spain?
A
less than .5ha
5
Q
What is the most planted white variety, and where?
A
Airen, Castilla la Mancha
6
Q
Where is Macabeo most planted?
A
Catalunya
7
Q
Where is Bobal most planted?
A
Utiel-Requena
8
Q
Where is Monastrell found?
A
Valencia/Murcia
9
Q
Where is Verdejo most found?
A
Rueda
10
Q
What are the ageing requirements for tinto wines?
A
- Crianza: 24 months, including 6 months in cask
- Reserva: 36 months, including 12 months in cask
- Gran Reserva: 60 months, including 18 months in cask
11
Q
If not referred to as Crianza etc, what other terms might a producer use?
A
- Joven
- Roble (Oak)
- Vino de Autor
12
Q
When may a DO apply for DOQ?
A
After 10 years of being DO
13
Q
What is the largest VT in Spain?
A
Castilla la Mancha
14
Q
Which VT does not require its wines to be bottled in the region?
A
Castilla la Mancha
15
Q
How many HL did Spain export in 2021?
A
23 million
16
Q
What proportion of bulk exports are Spanish?
A
56%
17
Q
What is the average rainfall of Rias Baixis?
A
1700mm
18
Q
What are the soils of Rias Baixis?
A
Sand over granite
19
Q
Describe Albarinho in the vineyard.
A
- Thick skins (rot resistant)
- Early to mid ripening
- High acidity
- Medium (-) body
- Medium alcohol
- Aromas of lemon, grapefruit, and peach with florals
20
Q
What are the five subzones of Rias Baixis?
A
- Val do Salnes
- O Rosal
- Condado do Tea
- Ribeira do Ulla
- Soutomaior
21
Q
What is the warmest subzone of Rias Baixis?
A
Condado do Tea
22
Q
What are the tasting notes for Rias Baixis?
A
- High acidity
- Medium (-) body
- Medium alcohol
- Stone fruit (peach)
- Citrus (lemon)
- Tropical fruit (melon)
23
Q
What is the traditional training system in Rias Baixis?
A
Parral, a pergola on granite supports which allows air flow and co-planting of vegetables
24
Q
Which DO is immediately east of Rias Baixis?
A
Ribeiro
25
What is mostly grown in Ribeiro?
Treixadra
26
What is immediately east of Ribeiro?
Ribeira Sacra
27
What is mostly grown in Ribeira Sacra, on what soils?
Mencia, on granite soils
28
Where are the vineyards planted in Ribeira Sacra?
Steep valley sides, at varying altitudes and aspects
29
What is the most easterly DO of Galicia?
Valdeorras
30
Describe the climate and rainfall of Valdeorras.
Continental, 700-1000mm/pa
31
What is the top variety (in both plantings and quality of wines) in Valdeorras?
Godello
32
What is the most southerly DO of Galicia?
Monterrei
33
Describe the landscape of Castilla y Leon.
High altitude (northwestern corner of the Meseta), with mountains to the north and south
34
What are the soils of Bierzo?
Slate, similar to llicorella in Priorat
35
How does the climate of Bierzo compare to that of Galician regions?
Fairly similar with exposure to the Atlantic, but a little warmer and drier during the growing season
36
What is the assemblage of Bierzo wines?
70% Mencia, and the balance Alicante Bouschet
37
Describe an ideal vineyard in Bierzo (for high quality wine).
500-850masl, on slopes where the soils are thin slate and the drainage is better, with significant diurnal variation
38
Give two reasons why machine harvest is uncommon in Bierzo.
* Plots are small
* Vineyard plots are on steep slopes
39
What law changed in Bierzo in 2017?
Introduction of Vino de Villa and Vino de Paraje, Vina Clasificada, Gran Vina Clasificada, similar to Priorat and Rioja
40
What are the four main varieties of Toro?
* Tinto del Toro
* Garnacha
* Malvasia
* Verdejo
41
Though it feels no moderating coastal influence, what helps retain acidity in the wines of Toro?
Elevation (620-750masl) and subsequent diurnal range
42
Give four differences between the vineyards and styles of Toro and Rueda.
* Toro for reds (Tinto del Toro), Rueda White (Verdejo + Sauvignon)
* Toro has sandy soils, Rueda has limestone
* Rueda is higher altitude (700-800m)
* Toro has many old bushvines, Rueda is mostly on VSP
43
What is the elevation of Ribera del Duero?
750-1000m
44
When is frost the greatest risk?
Spring and Autumn
45
How much Tinto fino is planted in Ribera del Duero?
96% of all plantings
46
What is the main white variety of Ribera del Duero?
Albillo Mayor (min 75% in the blend)
47
What are the two historic styles of Rueda DO?
* Palido
* Dorado
48
Which mountain range is north of Rioja?
Sierra de Cantabria
49
What mountain range is south of Rioja?
Sierra de la Demanda
50
What are the two main soils in Rioja Alta?
* Ferrous Clay in the northwest
* Alluvial in the southeast closer to the Ebro
51
What is the normal altitude of Rioja Alta and Alavesa?
700m
52
What are the red varieties of Rioja?
* Tempranillo
* Garnacha
* Mazuelo
* Graciano
* Maturana Tinta
53
What's another name for Mazuelo?
Carignan
54
What's another name for Maturana Tinta?
Trousseau
55
What are the new labelling terms for Rioja wines approved in 2018?
* Vinedo Singular
* Vinedos de Pueblo
* Vinedos de Zona
56
What is the profile of a quality white Rioja?
* Intense
* Tertiary
* Nuts
* Honey
* Dried fruit
* High acidity
57
What are the ageing requirements for Red Rioja?
* Crianza 24 months, inc. 12 months in oak
* Reserva 36 months, inc 12 months in oak and 6 months in bottle
* Gran Reserva 60 months, inc 24 months in oak and 24 months in bottle
58
What is one obstacle affecting small producers of Rioja?
Producers must hold more than 225,000 litres to be able to use ageing terminology on their labels
59
How large are plantings in Navarra compared to Rioja?
10200ha VS 66,300ha
60
What is the style of Rose from Navarra?
Deep colour, as they must be made from short maceration
61
How are the soils in Aragon, overall?
Rocky, free draining
62
What is the most common training system in Aragon?
Bushvines at low density
63
What are the three zones of the Penedes?
* Maritim
* Central
* Penedes Superior (500-800masl)
64
What's a normal amount of rain for Catalunya?
500mm/pa
65
What is the overall soil type of Catalunya?
Loam with some chalk, good for water retention
66
What practical issues affect production of Priorat?
* Lack of access
* Challenging topography (steep and windy)
* Extreme weather conditions (drought, frost)
* Poor soils (keeps yields low)
67
Describe the soils of Priorat.
Micous slate, which reflect light into the canopy, as well as radiate heat into the vineyard at night
68
What are the two main varieties of Priorat?
* Garnacha
* Carinena
69
Which other varieties are permitted in red Priorat?
* French varieties (merlot, cabernet, syrah)
70
What are the four classifications of Priorat?
* Vi de Villa
* Vi di Paratge
* Vinya Classificada
* Gran Vinya Classificada
71
What is the requirement for a wine labelled 'old vines'?
Vines are >75 years old, or planted before 1945
72
What is the difference between Montsant and Priorat?
* Montsant is more Mediterranean
* Soils are more fertile
* Topography is less extreme
* Mechanisation is more common
73
In which DO is Merseguera?
Valencia
74
Give three key points of Valencia DO.
* Low Rainfall
* 85% of wine is made by co-ops, in an early drinking style
* Split into 4 subzones (Alto Turia, Clariano, Valentino, Moscatel de Valencia)
75
What are the three DO's of Valencia?
* Alicante
* Utiel-Requena
* Valencia
76
What is the climate of Valencia DO?
Mediterranean
77
What is the most planted variety in Utiel-Requena?
Bobal
78
Describe Bobal wine.
* Grippy tannins (ripens unevenly)
* Deep colour
* High acidity
* Fruity
79
What is the main red variety of Alicante DO?
Monastrell
80
What is the key white variety of Alicante DO?
Moscatel de Alejandria
81
What is the historic wine of Alicante DO?
Fondillon, 100% late-harvest Monastrell aged in oak for at least 10 years
82
What are the soils of Jumilla DO?
Limestone under sandy topsoils
83
What is the main variety of Jumilla DO?
Monastrell, often blended with French varieties to soften tannin
84
What is the cooling influence affecting Yecla?
Altitude (500-900masl) and the Mediterranean
85
What are the soils of Yecla?
Limestone and sand
86
How many hectares are planted in La Mancha DO?
155k
87
What is the altitude of the Meseta?
500-700masl
88
Describe the climate of La Mancha.
Extreme continental, with hot summers and winters that fall below -20ºC
89
What are the soil types in La Mancha?
Limestone and chalk in parts
90
How much Airen is planted in La Mancha?
90k ha
91
What was the first Vino de Pago in Spain, and in what year?
Dominio de Valdepusa, 2003
92
What is a normal amount of rain in the wine growing areas of the Basque Country?
up to 1600mm
93
What is the main white variety in the Basque Country?
Hondarabi Zuri
94
Name the four Balearic Islands.
* Mallorca
* Menorca
* Ibiza
* Formentera
95
What's the latitude of the Canary Islands?
28ºN
96
Which of the Canary Islands has the most DO's?
Tenerife
97
What are the most common varieties in Tenerife?
* Listan Negro
* Malvasia
* Listan Blanco
98
What is the most respected DO in Tenerife?
Valle de Orotava
99
Describe the terrain and vineyards of Lanzarote.
Flatter than the other islands, covered in volcanic ash, vines are planted in craters with low stone walls to protect from wind
