Spain

Question 1

Spain’s climate

Answer 1

Warm to hot and dry causing low yields

Question 2

Wine laws of Spain

Answer 2

1. Vino de Mesa (Table wine)
2. Vino de la Tierra EU designation is PGI
3. Denominación de Origen (DO) EU designation is PDO for the next three classifications
4. Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) Only 2 regions have this highest designation.
5. Los Pagos (small individual properties granted their own designation)

Question 3

EU changes

Answer 3

For PGI Wines:
- Country Wines (Vinos de la Tierra)
For the PDO Wines:
- Denomination of Origin (DO)
- Qualified Denomination of Origin (DOC or DOCa or DOQ in Priorat)
- Quality Wine with a Geographical Indication (Vino de Calidad)
- Estate Wine (Vino de Pago)
- Qualified Estate Wine (Vino de Pago Calificado)

Question 4

Important regions of Spain

Answer 4

1. Galicia - Albarino
2. Rioja - Napa of Spain
3. Rueda - red and white wine
4. Priorato - red
5. Jumilla, Bierzo, and Somontano, Montsant
6. Penedes - Cava
7. Ribera del Duero - Tempranillo

Question 5

Portugal wine classifications

Answer 5

1. Vino de Mesa - simplest wines, non-vintage
2. Vinho Regional - wines from 8 large regions
3. Indicacio de Proveniencia Regulamentada (IPR) - 28 approved regions
4. Denominacao de Origem Controlada (DOC) - wines from 19 of the top regions

Question 6

Fortified wines

Answer 6

Wines which have brandy added to them, raising their alcohol content to 15- 23% ex: Sherry, Port, Madeira, Marsala

Question 7

What are the classifications of Ports?

Answer 7

Port: from Douro region of Portugal (20% alcohol)
Types of Port
1. White
2. Ruby
3. Tawny
4. Colheita
5. Vintage Port

Question 8

How and when are Ports generally served?

Answer 8

Portion Size: 2 ½ to 3 oz. at 60-65F

Question 9

Late Bottled Vintage

Answer 9

A single year left in wood for 4-6 years

Question 10

Age-Worthiness of Port

Answer 10

• Vintage ports will improve with bottle age they generally need 20 years
• The best vintages will keep for well over 50 years

Question 11

Solera system

Answer 11

Blend of numerous vintages. The solera system takes younger wines and moves it successively though barrels that are older, thereby “educating” young wines for flavor and development. The bottom barrels of the system contain the oldest wines, wine is to be bottled from these barrels.

Question 12

Arresting fermentation:

Answer 12

technique of preserving residual sugar in wines by
stopping fermentation. There are several methods to arrest fermentation including chilling the wine to the point where yeasts become inactive and using a centrifuge to remove the yeast cells prior to completing fermentation.

Question 13

Estufa system: 3 methods

Answer 13

heating the wine. 3 methods used:
Natural heat
Wood casks
Stainless tanks

Question 14

Spain table wines

Answer 14

White:
1 . Albarino
2. Viura
3. Paellada

Red

1. Garnarcha (Grenache)
2. Monastrell
3. Tempranillo

Question 15

Spain Sherry

Answer 15

Palamino
Pedro Ximenez
Moscatel

Question 16

Spain Cava

Answer 16

Parellada
Malvasia
Macabeo (Viura)

Question 17

Portugal white and red wines

Answer 17

White

1. Alvarinho
2. Loureiro

Red

1. Touriga Nacional
2. Touriga Francesca
3. Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo)
4. Perequita

Question 18

What are the most important wine regions in Portugal?

Answer 18

Portugal

1. Douro: mostly Port, some red table wine
2. Lisbon
3. Bucelas: pleasant white wine
4. Colares: full-bodied red wines
5. Dao: Vinho Maudro – best of reds made
6. Minho: Vinho Verde
7. Alentejo: large area showing potential
8. Ribatejo: north of Lisbon along both sides of Tagus River, milder climate
9. Setubal area: south of Lisbon, known for sweet Moscatel, now other varietals, too

Question 19

Regulated Terms in Rioja

Answer 19

• Cosecha: young wines, most without wood aging
• Vina de Crianza: wine matured for 2 years with at least 1 year in cask
• Reserva: matured for at least 1 year in oak cask and 2 years in bottle
• Gran Reserva: aged at least 2 years in oak and 3 in bottle, with a minimum of 6 years maturation at the winery