Spain

Question 1

What was the first DOCa & when?

Answer 1

Rioja in 1991

Question 2

What is Viñedos Singulares?

Answer 2

as of 2018, the official way to print single vineyards on their labels, they can submit the vineyard to be reviewed

Question 3

What are the qualifications for a Viñedos Singularies?

Answer 3

• soil must be assessed
• vines must be at least 35 yrs old
• estate must have been working with the site for at least 10 years
• wine must pass tasting panel
• harvest at a significantly lower yield than regional wines

Question 4

Name the five sub-regions of Rias Baixas

Answer 4

Val do Salnés
Rubero do Ulla
Soutomaior
O Rosal
Condado do Tea

Question 5

describe the climate of Rias Baixas

Answer 5

Humid & Martime due to influence of Atlantic Ocean, rivers & estuaries

“Green Spain” due to higher rainfall than the rest of Spain

Question 6

Describe varieties/blending of Rias Baixas?

Answer 6

• if labeled Rias Baixas it is 100% Albarino

- Sub-regions are typically 70% Albarino but can be blended with Loureiro or Treixadura

Question 7

Name the sub-regions of Rioja?

Answer 7

The follow the Ebro river West to East:

• Rioja Alta
• Rioja Alavesa
• Rioja Baja

Question 8

What are the main red grapes of Rioja?

Answer 8

Tempranillo is dominate but typically blended with:

• Mazuelo (Carignan)
• Graciano
• Garnacha

these 4 grapes must make up 85% of blend & 95% if de-stemmed

Question 9

Name dominate white grape of Rioja

Answer 9

Viura (Macabeo)

Question 10

What are the aging requirements in Rioja?

Answer 10

• Crianza: 1 yr. in oak & 2 years total
• Reserva: 1 yr. in oak & 3 yrs total
• Gran Reserva: 2 yrs. in oak & 2 yrs in bottle for 60 mo. total aging

All Oak casks MUST be barrique

Question 11

What is Tempranillo known locally as in Ribero del Duero

Answer 11

Tinto Fino & Tinto del Pais

Question 12

What are the main red & white grapes for Ribeiro del Duero

Answer 12

75 %Tempranillo & whites are 75% Albillo Mayor

Question 13

Describe Ribeiro del Duero aging requirements

Answer 13

• Joven: aged less than 3 months in oak
• Roble: aged min. of 3 mo in oak
• Crianza: 1 yr. in cask for 2 yr total aging
• Reserva: 1 yr. in cask for 3 yr. total aging
• Gran Reserva: 2 yr. in cask & 5 yr. total aging

Question 14

what is the climate of the Ribeiro del Duero?

Answer 14

continental with challenging climate of very hot summers & cold winters, extreme diurnal shifts

Question 15

where are the highest elevation vineyards in Spain?

Answer 15

Ribeiro del Duero

Question 16

what style of wine is Ribeiro del Duero

Answer 16

red wines mostly made with Tempranillo. Grapes get very ripe while preserving natural acidity in spite of hot summers. Due to intense diurnal shift & high elevation

Question 17

name the soil type found in the best vineyards in Priorat?

Answer 17

Llicorella: mix of black slate & quartzite

Question 18

Name the 5 original “Clos” of Priorat?

Answer 18

Clos Mogador 
Palacios' Clos Dofi 
Clos Erasmus
Clos de l’Obac 
Clos Martinet

Question 19

What are the main grapes of Priorat?

Answer 19

Garncha & Carinena

Question 20

What percentage of Cava is produced in Penedes DO?

Answer 20

95%

Question 21

What are the 5 varieties of Penedes DO?

Answer 21

Parellada
Xarel-Lo 
Macabeo
Malvasia 
Chardonnay

Question 22

What are the three regions of Penedes?

Answer 22

Baix- Penedes
Medio-Penedes
Alt-Penedes (one of Europe’s highest altitude growing regions)

Question 23

What is the hottest wine region in Spain?

Answer 23

Jerez

Question 24

Describe the climate in Jerez?

Answer 24

Humid Atlantic winds “poniente” cool down on the coast while also encouraging flor growth.
Hot, dry “Levante” winds warm up inland & almost cook the grapes while on the vine.

Question 25

Name the three towns at the center of Sherry production but not the DO zones

Answer 25

- Jerez de la Frontera - El Puerto de Santa Maria - Sanlucar de Barrameda

Question 26

Name the 2 DO zones for Sherry

Answer 26

Jeres-Xeres Sherry | Manzanilla-San Lucar de Barrameda

Question 27

Name the soil types of Jerez

Answer 27

- albariza - barros - arenas

Question 28

describe what albariza soil is like

Answer 28

- chalky, limestone rich - moisture retentive - produces the best sherry - white

Question 29

Name the three varieties of sherry

Answer 29

- Palomino (Listan) (95% of vineyard acreage) - Pedro Ximenez (PX) - Moscatel (Muscat of Alexandria)

Question 30

name the styles of sherry with FLOR

Answer 30

- Manzanilla - Fino - -Amontillado - -(loses Flor) Palo Cortado -fortified to 15%

Question 31

Name the style of Sherry without FLOR (Oxidative Aging)

Answer 31

Olorosso & Cream Sherry | -fortified to 17-18%

Question 32

what styles of Sherry are Dry & what are sweet

Answer 32

Fino (Manzanilla, Amontiallado) are typically dry Olorosso can be dry or sweet (if blended with Pedro Ximenez) PX Sherry are typically sweet