Name the Autonomías of Spain (16)
Andalucía Aragón Asturias Balearic Islands Basque Country/País Vasco Canary Islands Castilla-La Mancha Castilla y León Catalonia (Catalunya) Extremadura Galicia La Rioja Madrid Murcia Navarra Valencia
When phylloxera struck France in the mid 1800s, what happened in Spain?
- French winemakers and merchants brought in Spanish wine (particularly Rioja) to bridge the gap
- Bordeaux-trained Marqués de Riscal and Marqués de Murrieta brought back varietals and techniques
- barrique aging (although in American oak) and estate bottling
Why do the Spanish historically use American Oak?
(Quercus Alba)
- Used because of Spain’s history of transatlantic colonial trade
- economic decision
4 traditionalist Rioja wineries that started in late 19th C
- López de Heredia
- CVNE
- Bercero
- La Rioja Alta
Where did Cava get it’s start?
San Sadurní d’Anoia
When did phylloxera arrive in Spain?
early 20th C
Which regions were governed by Consejos Reguladores in the 1930s?
Rioja, Jerez, Málaga
What is the significance of Francisco Franco to wine in spain
Fascist leader
dark period for wine until his death in 1975
What winemaking techniques did Miguel Torres contribute to Catalonia in 1960s?
Stainless steel and temp-controlled fermentation
When was Spain’s Denominación de Origen first approved?
1970
Describe the tiers of quality wines in Spain?
DOCa and DO - highest quality, equal to EU’s DOP
(Denominación de Origen Calificada)
VCIG (Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica) - also considered DOP in new EU scheme, but once stepping stone to DO
VdlT (Vino de la Tierra) - equal to IGP in EU
*DO Pago (Vinos de Pago) - theoretically superior to DO, estate must surpass basic DO requirements (lower yields, etc, show international praise, decade of quality production)
What are the two DOCa regions in spain?
Rioja (1991)
Priorat (2009)
Describe aging designations for all of Spain, and how are they different in Rioja and Ribero del Duero?
RED:
Crianza - 2 yrs // 6 mo in oak (1 yr oak for Rioja/RdD)
Reserva - 3 yrs // 1 yr in oak (same for Rioja/RdD)
Gran Reserva - 5 yrs // 1.5 yr in oak (2 yrs oak for Rioja/RdD)
White:
Crianza - 1.5 yrs // 6 mo in oak
Reserva - 2 yrs // 6 mo in oak
Gran Reserva - 4 yrs // 6 mo in oak
For whites in Rioja/RdD, Crianza and Reserva both 2 yrs with 6 mo in oak, but reserva must be aged in oak/bottle (oxidative) while Crianza white/rosado can be in stainless
What are the three additional terms beyond crianza, reserva etc that can be found on DOP wine label?
Noble: 18 months in cask <600 L (or in bottle)
Añejo: 24 months in cask <600 L (or in bottle)
Viejo: 36 months in cask, demonstrates marked oxidative character
