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Spain Flashcards

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1
Q

Where is Rías Baixas DO located?

A

Rías Baixas DO is located in the northwest section of the Iberian Peninsula, known as Green Spain.

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2
Q

Describe the general climate of Rías Baixas DO.

A

The general climate of Rías Baixas DO is maritime and humid, cooler than the rest of Spain, with a maritime influence on the coast and becoming more continental moving inland.

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3
Q

What is the primary grape variety of Rías Baixas DO?

A

The primary grape variety of Rías Baixas DO is Albariño.

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4
Q

How would you characterize the style of wines produced in Rías Baixas DO?

A

The style of wines produced in Rías Baixas DO is characterized as dry, crisp, and aromatic, especially with the Albariño grape variety.

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5
Q

What type of soil is predominant in Valdeorras DO?

A

The predominant soil type in Valdeorras DO is granite.

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6
Q

Name the white grape variety associated with Valdeorras DO.

A

The white grape variety associated with Valdeorras DO is Godello.

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7
Q

Which red grape variety is prominent in Valdeorras DO?

A

The prominent red grape variety in Valdeorras DO is Mencía.

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8
Q

Identify the grape varieties used in making wines from Ribeira Sacra DO.

A

The grape varieties used in making wines from Ribeira Sacra DO include Albariño, Godello, and Mencía for red wines.

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9
Q

Name at least two iconic producers of Albariño in Rías Baixas.

A

Iconic producers of Albariño in Rías Baixas include Pazo Señorans, Granbazán, and Lagar de Cervera.

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10
Q

What food pairings would you recommend for Rías Baixas Albariño based on its flavor profile and characteristics?

A

Food pairings recommended for Rías Baixas Albariño include simply prepared shellfish, bivalves, and dishes with sweet-savory ingredients.

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11
Q

Which region produces the majority of Spanish Cava?
Galicia
Castilla y León
Castilla- La Mancha
Catalunya
La Rioja

A

Catalunya

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12
Q

Which of the following events drove Spain to become a major world player in wine production in the late 1800s?
Spanish-American War
Execution of Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico
Phylloxera outbreak
Spanish flu
Industrial Revolution and the spread of railroads

A

Phylloxera outbreak

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13
Q

What is the minimum aging requirement for Rioja Crianza red wines?
One year in barrel, two years total
One year in barrel, three years total
Two years in barrel, three years total
Two years in barrel, three years in bottle, five years total

A

One year in barrel, two years total

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14
Q

Spain has the most land under vine in the world.
True
False

A

True

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15
Q

List the following in order of minimum aging requirements from shortest to longest (1 = shortest, 4 = longest).
Choice
Gran Reserva
Crianza
Reserva
Joven

A

Joven
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva

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16
Q

What are the main grape varieties used in Rioja wines?

A

Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache), Mazuelo, Graciano

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17
Q

Describe the climate categories of Rioja and how they vary within the region.

A

Rioja experiences a continental climate, with variations across its subzones. Alta is continental, Alavesa is the coolest and wettest, while Oriental has a Mediterranean climate.

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18
Q

Name the three subzones of the Rioja DOCa.

A

Rioja Alta, Rioja Oriental, Rioja Alavesa

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19
Q

What are the specific aging requirements for Rioja Reserva wines?

A

Reserva wines must be aged for a minimum of 3 years, with at least 1 year in oak barrels.

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20
Q

Which oak variety is traditionally used for aging Rioja wines?

A

American oak

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21
Q

Identify the main white grape variety used in Rioja wines.

A

Viura (also known as Macabeo)

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22
Q

Name two iconic producers of Rioja wines and describe their wines

A

Marqués de Riscal : range in price . M body and intensity aromas of vanilla and stewed strawberries.

López de Heredia: single vineyard red and white. White in oak aging. $70.95 cad. Age 6 years, Tempranillo dominant, complex with some balsamic sweetness

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23
Q

Explain the significance of the term “Gran Reserva” in Rioja wines.

A

Gran Reserva wines undergo longer aging, typically in oak barrels and bottles, and are only made in the best vintages.

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24
Q

What is the primary soil type found in Rioja vineyards?

A

Calcareous clay

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25
What term in used in Rioja to denote a single vineyard wine
Consejo
26
Give a producer in Rioja that produces single vineyard wine-describe the wine.
Lopez de Heredia is a single vineyard wine. Age nearly 6 years. Tempranillo dominant, complex, some balsamic sweetness
27
Name and describe the subzones of Rioja
Rioja Alversa -smallest northernmost zone (in Basque Country). Calcareous clay .Tempranillo often produces Joven wines for early consumption-carbonic maceration. Rioja Alta- southwestern zone. Slightly warmer -continental. Calcareous clay . Producing age worthy Tempranillo, Mazueli and Graciano -top produces are situated here Rioja Oriental- Garnacha performs best. Ferrous clay and alluvial soil
28
What benefit would a producer get from blending all three Rioja sub zone?
Freshness of Rioja Alavesa, alcoholic warmth of Rioja Oriental and acidity and structure of Rioja Alta
29
Introduce to a guest 3 Producers from Ribera del duero
Vega Sicilia: Price: Vega Sicilia wines can range from $200 to over $1000 USD, depending on the specific label and vintage. Grapes: Primarily Tempranillo (known locally as Tinto Fino or Tinta del País) blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, or other local varieties. Style of Wine: Known for producing powerful, age-worthy red wines with intense fruit concentration, structured tannins, and complex flavors. Special/Unique: Vega Sicilia is one of Spain's most iconic and prestigious wineries, with a history dating back over 150 years. They are known for their meticulous vineyard management, traditional winemaking techniques, and commitment to quality. Best Vintage: The 2010 vintage is often regarded as exceptional for Vega Sicilia, showcasing richness, depth, and impeccable balance. Food Pairing: Vega Sicilia wines pair beautifully with hearty dishes such as roast lamb, grilled steak, or aged Spanish cheeses. Pesquera (Bodegas Alejandro Fernández): Price: Pesquera wines typically range from $30 to $100 USD, depending on the cuvée and vintage. Grapes: Predominantly Tempranillo (Tinto Fino), showcasing the purity and expression of this local grape variety. Style of Wine: Known for crafting robust, fruit-forward red wines with ripe berry flavors, velvety textures, and well-integrated oak. Special/Unique: Bodegas Alejandro Fernández, the producer behind Pesquera, played a significant role in elevating Ribera del Duero to international prominence. They focus on traditional winemaking methods and aging in American oak barrels. Best Vintage: The 2012 vintage is highly regarded for Pesquera, offering depth, complexity, and excellent aging potential. Food Pairing: Pesquera wines complement grilled meats, savory stews, or classic Spanish dishes like paella. Pingus (Dominio de Pingus): Price: Pingus wines are considered ultra-premium and can cost upwards of $500 to $1000+ USD per bottle. Grapes: 100% Tempranillo (Tinto Fino), sourced from old vines in select vineyard plots. Style of Wine: Pingus is renowned for producing concentrated, opulent red wines with profound depth, silky tannins, and intense dark fruit flavors. Special/Unique: Dominio de Pingus is a boutique winery founded by Danish winemaker Peter Sisseck. They practice biodynamic viticulture and minimalist winemaking, focusing on terroir expression and natural fermentation. Best Vintage: The 2016 vintage is highly acclaimed for Pingus, characterized by exceptional purity, precision, and finesse. Food Pairing: Pingus wines are best enjoyed with dishes that match their intensity and complexity, such as grilled ribeye steak, slow-roasted lamb, or rich, aged cheeses.
30
Introduce to a guest a Producers from Bierzo and Rueda
Bierzo: Descendientes de J. Palacios: Price: Descendientes de J. Palacios wines typically range from $30 to $100+ USD, depending on the cuvée and vintage. Grapes: Primarily Mencía, a local grape variety known for its aromatic profile and vibrant acidity, sourced from old vines in Bierzo. Style of Wine: The wines from Descendientes de J. Palacios are known for their elegance, finesse, and purity of fruit expression. They often exhibit floral aromatics, red berry flavors, and silky textures. Special/Unique: The winery is led by Alvaro Palacios, one of Spain's most influential winemakers, known for his dedication to biodynamic farming and minimalist winemaking practices. The focus is on terroir-driven wines that showcase the unique characteristics of Bierzo's vineyards. Best Vintage: The 2018 vintage is highly regarded for Descendientes de J. Palacios, offering exceptional balance, complexity, and aging potential. Food Pairing: These wines pair well with a variety of dishes, including roasted lamb, grilled mushrooms, or hearty Spanish stews like cocido. Rueda:Martinsancho: Price: Martinsancho wines are typically priced between $15 to $30 USD, offering excellent value for quality. Grapes: Made primarily from the Verdejo grape, an indigenous variety known for its aromatic intensity and crisp acidity, sourced from the Martinsancho vineyard in Rueda. Style of Wine: Martinsancho wines are characterized by their freshness, minerality, and citrus-driven flavors. They often exhibit notes of green apple, grapefruit, and herbs, with a clean, refreshing finish. Special/Unique: The Martinsancho vineyard is one of the oldest and most prestigious vineyard sites in the Rueda region, dating back to the 12th century. The winery focuses on organic farming practices and low-intervention winemaking, allowing the terroir to shine through in the wines. Best Vintage: The 2019 vintage is highly recommended for Martinsancho, showcasing vibrant acidity, expressive fruit flavors, and a zesty finish. Food Pairing: Martinsancho Verdejo pairs beautifully with seafood dishes such as grilled shrimp, ceviche, or seafood paella. It also complements fresh salads, goat cheese, or tapas like marinated olives and anchovies.
31
What are the major Designations of Origin (DOs) within Castilla y León, and what grape varieties are commonly used in these regions?
The major Designations of Origin (DOs) within Castilla y León are Ribera del Duero, Toro, Bierzo, and Rueda. Commonly used grape varieties include Tempranillo for red wines and Verdejo for white wines. Bierzo is Mencia red
32
Describe the climate categories in Castilla y León and the geographical features that influence them
The climate categories in Castilla y León include the influence of the Cantabrian Mountains, which create a rain shadow effect, and a continental climate characterized by extreme seasonal and diurnal shifts.
33
Which river runs through Castilla y León, and what is its significance to the region's viticulture?
The Duero River runs through Castilla y León, and its significance lies in providing water for vineyard irrigation and shaping the landscape of the region's viticultural areas.
34
Name the primary grape varieties used in the production of white wines in Rueda DO.
The primary grape varieties used in the production of white wines in Rueda DO are Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc.
35
Identify the grape variety synonymous with Tempranillo, and name two DOs in Castilla y León known for producing red wines based on this grape.
Tempranillo is synonymous with several regional names, including Tinta del País and Tinta de Toro. The two DOs known for producing red wines based on Tempranillo in Castilla y León are Ribera del Duero and Toro.
36
Explain the aging classifications used in Ribera del Duero DO, including the specific aging requirements for Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva wines
The aging classifications used in Ribera del Duero DO are Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. Specific aging requirements for Tinto (red) wines are as follows: Crianza - minimum 2 years, including 1 year in oak; Reserva - minimum 3 years, including 1 year in oak; Gran Reserva - minimum 5 years, including 2 years in oak.
37
Name three iconic producers in Ribera del Duero, known for their commitment to quality and innovation.
Three iconic producers in Ribera del Duero are Vega Sicilia, Pesquera, and Pingus.
38
Describe the wine styles produced in Ribera del Duero, including their aging potential and preferred oak aging methods.
Wine styles produced in Ribera del Duero include fresh styles for early consumption and long-aged wines suitable for aging. These wines can be aged in American or French oak barrels to enhance their flavor and complexity.
39
Identify the primary grape varieties used in the production of red wines in Bierzo DO.
The primary grape varieties used in the production of red wines in Bierzo DO are Mencía and Tempranillo.
40
Name a renowned producer in Rueda DO known for crafting exceptional Verdejo wines, showcasing the unique terroir of the region.
A renowned producer in Rueda DO known for crafting exceptional Verdejo wines is Martinsancho.
41
What are Rioja’s major bodies of water and what Mountain is to the north?
Geology: Rioja’s major bodies of water include the Ebro with its most important tributary, the Oja and Jalón. It is surrounded by Mountains including the Cantabrian Pyrenees mountains to the north.
42
What is Rioja Sparkling wine style?
Vino Espumoso de Calidad: Sparkling wine made in the traditional method, can be white or rosado, from any of the approved varieties of the region, aged a min. 15 months on the lees, 24 months for Reserva, and 36 months for Gran Añada.
43
Which Spanish winemaker, along with his nephew, founded Descendientes de J. Palacios in 1999, producing the biodynamic, old-vine Mencía wine “Corullón” that brought international attention to the Bierzo DO? A. Telmo Rodríguez B. Álvaro Palacios C. Mariano García D. Peter Sisseck
B. Álvaro Palacios
44
What is Vino de Pago?
Single estate designation to give wineries more freedom from DO laws.
45
What are the two DOCas of Spain?
Priorat and Rioja
46
In Rioja, what are the aging requirements for Riserva wines?
For reds a min. 3 years aging, with at least 1 year in oak; for whites and rosados a min. 2 years of aging, with at least 6 months in oak.
47
What are the Native white grapes of Rioja? -Airen, Grenacha Blanca. Xarel-lo -Viura, Verdejo, Grenacha Blanca -Albarino, Macabeo, Airen -Viura, Verdejo, Albarino
Viura, Verdejo, Grenacha Blanca
48
What is the major river of Rioja?
The Ebro
49
What are the three sub-regions of Rioja?
Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Orientale
50
What is the major body of water in Castilla y Leon?
Duero River
51
What styles and varieties are allowed in Ribera del Duero DO?
White, rosado and red wines from Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo), Garnacha, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon; whites from Abillo Mayor.
52
List five grape varietals allowed in Cava production?
Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo, Monastrell, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Garnacha, Trepat, Pinot Noir
53
Explain Cava de Paraje Calificado?
Single vineyard wines similar to Grower/Producers in Champagne/ These cavas must be hand harvested, vines must be a minumum of 10 years old, vintage dated, and can only be Brut, Extra-Brut and Brut Nature in style, they must be aged a minimum 36 months on the lees.
54
What are the soils of Priorat and what varieties do they grow?
Priorat is characterized by black slate and quartzite soils called llicorela. They produce red, white, rosado, oxidized wine and sweet wines from Garnacha Blanca, Macabeu, Pedro Zimenez, Garnacha Negra, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir.
55
What Spanish region is known for Albarino? *
Rias Biaxas
56
List the subzones of Rias Biaxas.
Val do Salnes, Ribeira do Ulla, Soutomaior, O Rosal, Condado do Tea
57
Explain the difference between Fino Sherry and Oloroso Sherry
Both wines are from the Palomino grape and are fortified after fermentation. Wines destined for fino sherry is lighter and more delicate, and fortified to 15-15.5% abv so it will develope flor and undergo a biological aging process. Oloroso wines are richer and fortified to 17-18% and undergo oxidative aging. Both styles of wines will be aged in a solera.
58
What does Colheita Seleccionada mean on a bottle of Portugese wine?
1% higher abv than the legal minimum
59
What are the three subzones of the Douro Valley?
Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, Douro Superior
60
How long does Late Bottled Vintage Port have to be aged? * min. 7 years max. 3 years after harvest min. 4 years, max. 6 years min. 10 years
min. 4 years, max. 6 years
61
What is a single quinta port?
Single quintas are named after the estate where the grapes were grown and the wine was made. Port houses will release single quinta wines if the vintage is good, but they do not want to declare an overall port vintage.
62
Which Lisboa DOP is for fortified wines only? Bucelas Lourinha Colares Obidos
Lourinha
63
What styles of wine is Setubal DOP known for?
Fortified red, white, and varietal Moscatel wines from Moscatel Graudo (Muscat of Alexandria), and Moscatel Galego Roxo, a red variety.
64
What are the four main varieties for varietally labeled Madeira in order from driest to sweetest?
Sercial, Verdelho, Bual, Malmsey, Terrantez and Tinta Negra are other varieties and can range in sweetness.
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