Spain

Question 1

What is Vino de Pago?

Answer 1

1. single estate with high reputation
2. may use their own grapes
3. must be vinified and matured on their estate

Question 2

Classification

Answer 2

Vino de la Tierra > Vino de Calidad on Indication Geografica (VC) > Denominación de Origen (DOCa)

Vino de Pago

Question 3

What is the main grape used in La Mancha

Answer 3

Airen

Question 4

What is the majority estate in La Mancha

Answer 4

Vino de Pago

Question 5

Describe La Mancha

Answer 5

1. largest DO in Spain
2. hot continental climate as it cut off from maritime influence
3. More Cencibel+Airen is planted + international varieties
4. mainly inexpensive wine

Question 6

Name the sweet fortified wine in Valencia

Answer 6

Moscatel de Valencia

Question 7

What is Rias Baixas most planted grape?

Answer 7

Albarino

• thick-skin = resist fungal disease

Question 8

Describe Riax Baixas

Answer 8

1. moderate maritime climate dominated by Atlantic weather system = mildew and hot = vine diseases
2. vines are trained on pergolas or trellising system = encourage air circulation
3. Albarino = thick-skinned = resist fungal disease

Question 9

What is Graciano

Answer 9

1. black grape
2. high valued-grape
3. part of the blend in Rioja (fine wine)
4. concentrated black fruit aromas, acidity, tannins = give structure

Question 10

Describe Grancha

Answer 10

1. low-yield old vines
2. produce intense, complex, full-bodied red
3. high alcohol, used for rosados in Spain
4. mature early
   ( > 50% Rioja entry level)

Question 11

Describe Tempranillo

Answer 11

1. thick-skinned grape, medium level of acidity
2. best is summer temperature, moderated by summer altitude
3. hot climate with high alcohol temperature range = wine with low acidity

Question 12

Why Priorat is sold in premium price?

Answer 12

1. steep slope = mechanization is impossible = expensive and time consuming to manage the vineyards
2. best vines are in older bush vine = bring concentration to the grape but yield is small = expensive
3. best soil = llicorella = low fertility = help to ripening by conserving heat = complexity of the wines

Supplementary:
1. Long, hot and dry summer with low annual rainfall and cool night temperature
2. hot continental climate (dual climate and variation)
5. mainly Grenache + Carinena

Question 13

Why Priorate mainly use Grenache and Carinena to blend?

Answer 13

1. Garnacha: low-yield old vines enable to produce an intense, complex full-bodied wine = richness and structure
2. Carinena: high acidity, high tannin, deep colour when it achieves full ripeness
3. Grenacha and Carinena = late ripening variety = achieve good level of ripeness in Priorat

After blending:
Carinena: deeper colour, more tannin structure, high acidity

Grenacha: more red fruit flavours and softness

Question 14

which grape does Jumilla and Yecla usually use?

Answer 14

Monastrell
- thick-skinned, deeply coloured, full-bodied, high tannin and alcohol, low-medium acidity, ripe black fruit flavour

Question 15

Name the grape that Navarra usually use.

Answer 15

1. Tempranillo
2. Cabernet Sauvignon
3. Merlot

Question 16

Name the grape that Bierzo usually use.

Answer 16

Mencia
- elegant, high acidity, red fruit aromas

Question 17

what is the ageing requirement of Rioja Gran Reserva

Answer 17

red: 60 months aging, 18 months in barrel
white: 48 months aging, 6 months in barrel

Question 18

what is the ageing requirement of Rioja Reserva

Answer 18

red: 36 months aging, 12 months in barrels
white: 24 months aging, 6 months in barrel

Question 19

Describe the grape the Toro use.

Answer 19

Tempranillo
- full-bodied = intense fruits flavour + high alcohol

Question 20

Describe Ribera del Dureo

Answer 20

1. best region from high-quality Tempranillo
2. cut off from any maritime climate = short, hot and dry summers + cold winters
3. cool night-time temperature throughout the year
4. some vineyards planted over 850m = wide diurnal
5. Tempranillo = deep colour + high tannins + concentrated flavours = good fresh fruit flavours and acidity

Question 21

Describe the climate in Rias Baixas

Answer 21

1. moderate maritime climate
2. dominated by Altantic system
3. Vine diseases such as rot are a common problem due to humid condition

Question 22

Most white wine in Rias Biaxas are light, unbaked style. Name the two wine making techniques that can enhance flavour and texture

Answer 22

1. use of oak = add extra flavour to the wine
2. lees stirring = extra touch of texture to the wine

Question 23

Rioja produce wide range of style. Explain how winemaking approached may affect the character of the wines from this region

Answer 23

Grapes:
Tempranillo offer tannin structures
Granacha offers body and alcohol

Fermentation:
Early drinking: semi-carbonic maceration = red fruit character
High quality: designed for long term maturation = destemmed and crushed. Extended extraction and different cap management produce different style of wine

Oak ageing:
French or American oak for a different period of time
New oak ageing: more spicy aroma
Eg. Gran Reserve: 60 months, 24 months in oak