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Spain: Overview Flashcards

History, Geography, Laws (150 cards)

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1
Q

Who is thought to have first introduced viticulture to Spain?

A

Phoenicians

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2
Q

Where in Spain did the Phoenicians first practice viticulture?

A

Andalucia

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3
Q

When did Rome take over the Iberian penisnula?

A

200BCE

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4
Q

Who took over Spain in the 7th century stopping wine production?

A

The Moors

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5
Q

When were the Moors expelled from Spain?

A

15th century

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6
Q

Which country was the key importer of Spanish wines, particularly sherry, in the 16th and 17th centuries?

A

England

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7
Q

What was the name of the priest from Rioja who travelled to Bordeaux in the 18th century and brought oenological practices back to Rioja?

A

Manuel Esteban Quintano

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8
Q

Who was Luciano de Murrieta Garcia-Lemoine?

A

An important Spaniard exiled during the Carlist wars of the mid 19th century. He went to Bordeaux in exile and studied winemaking, particularly elevage. He came back and created the Marques de Murrieta. He brought the ideas back to his Logrono property in Rioja

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9
Q

When did Marques de Murrieta release his first oaked wine from his property Logrono in Rioja?

A

1852

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10
Q

Who was Camilo Hurtado de Amezaga y Balmaseda?

A

Exiled during the Carlist wars of the 19th century. He also spent time in Bordeaux during his exile and can back to Rioja and created the Marques de Riscal. He brought back cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon

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11
Q

What propelled the sale of Spanish wine in the 1860s?

A

Phylloxera in France

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12
Q

When did Phylloxera first hit Spain?

A

1880s

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13
Q

Why did the Spanish wine industry suffer from the late 19th century through to the mid 20th century?

A

Phylloxera hit, followed by World War 1, Civil War, World War 2, and the rule of Francisco Franco which saw little industrial revolution

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14
Q

Which famous Spanish winery introduced stainless steel and temperature controlled fermentation in the 1960s?

A

Miguel Torres (Catalonia)

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15
Q

Which French winemaker and Marques de Riscal consultant identified local Spanish grape Verdejo as ideal for fresh wines from Rueda?

A

Emile Peynaud

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16
Q

When did Spain join the European Union and later adopt the Euro?

A

Joined the EU in 1986
Adopted the Euro in 1999 (circulated from 2002)

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17
Q

Which mountain range separates France and Spain?

A

The Pyrenees

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18
Q

What latitudes does Spain sit between?

A

36 and 44 degrees North

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19
Q

What is the large plateau which contributes significant altitude across the majority of Spain?

A

The Meseta Central

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20
Q

What is the average elevation of the Meseta Central?

A

660m

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21
Q

Which mountain range bisects the Spanish Meseta Central in 2 North to South?

A

Sistema Central

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22
Q

What is the key mountain range running West to East from Galicia?

A

Cantabrian Mountains

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23
Q

Which mountain borders the Meseta Central to the South?

A

Sierra Morena

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24
Q

Which mountain range lines the southeast of the Spanish pensinsula?

A

Sistema Penibetico

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25
Which mountain range runs perpendicular to the Sistema Central from Castilla y Leon to Valencia?
Sistema Iberico
26
Who many autonomous communities does Spain have?
17
27
What is the Poniente wind?
A cold wind blowing east coming from the Atlantic
28
What is the Leveche wind?
A hot, northern blowing wind coming from Africa
29
What is the Levante wind?
A warm, humid wind blowing northeast funnelling through Gibraltar and affecting southeast Spain
30
What is on average the wettest part of Spain?
Green Spain and Galicia. This encompasses Basque Country and the autonomous communities of Galicia, Cantabria and Asturias in the North. It's on the border with the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean
31
What are the runs of Spain's appellation pyramid?
Vino de Mesa (VdM, = Table Wine) Vino de la Tierra (VdlT, = IGP/IGT) Vino de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica (VC or VCIG, = PDO) Denominacion de Origen (DO, = AOC/DOC) Denominacion de Origen Califacida (DOCa, = DOCG) Vino do Pago (VdP or VP)
32
When was the first DO granted in Spain?
1932
33
What laws were changed to Vino de Mesa in 2008?
Wines are now permitted to be given a vintage and state varieties
34
Where can grapes for Vino de Mesa wines come from?
Anywhere in Spain
35
Where can grapes destined for VdlTs come from?
Designated areas which vary in size. Could be the size of autonomous communities or villages
36
What percentage of grapes destined for VdlTs must come from the designated area?
85%
37
What is the main purpose of VCIGs in Spain and how do they differ from VdlTs?
Generally used as a stepping stone for designations to go from VdlTs to DOs. VCIGs are the lowest level of Spain's PDOs. They are also overseen by a governing body or organo de gestion
38
How long must a VCIG wait before being permitted to apply for DO status?
Minimum 5 years
39
How many DOs are there in Spain?
77
40
What is the most famous non-contiguous DO of Spain?
Cava DO
41
What is the name for the governing body's which look after each DO?
Consejo Regulador
42
What are pliego de condiciones?
These are the rules of the DO which are enforced by the Consejo Regulador. They lay out aspects of winegrowing such as yields, vine training, viticultural practices, vinification techniques and grape varieties
43
When was the DOCa category created?
1988
44
What are the 2 DOCas of Spain and when were they granted the status?
Rioja in 1991 Priorat 2009
45
How may DOCa be written in Catalan?
DOQ = Denominacio d'Origen Qualificada
46
When was the Vino de Pago designation created?
2003
47
What is a Vino de Pago?
A designation awarded to a single estate which can be within or without an appellation
48
How can Spanish wineries achieve the Vino de Pago designation?
Wineries must produce estate bottled wines and the vineyard must be owned by the winery. They be in production for a minimum 10 years before applying for the designation
49
Who sets the pliego de condiciones for Vino de Pagos?
The Vino de Pagos themselves
50
What is the main critique for Vino de Pagos?
The estates may use the designation to skirt the traditional rules of the DOs and create international wines from international grapes instead of showing off classic Spanish grapes
51
As of 2025 how many Vino de Pagos are there?
27
52
Which Spanish designation was the first to create a village system similar to Burgundy?
Priorat
53
What is the name of Priorat's village/cru system?
Vi de Vila
54
Which designations followed Priorat and created their own village system in 2017 and 2019?
Rioja and Bierzo in 2017 Rueda in 2019
55
Historically, which types of vessel was used for aging Spanish wine and why?
American oak because the Americas used to be a Spanish colony meaning they could trade cheaply and easily
56
What are the 4 national aging terms for Spain?
Joven Noble Anejo Viejo
57
What are the aging requirements for Joven Spanish wines?
Wines show little to no signs of oak
58
What are the aging requirements for Noble Spanish wines?
Minimum 18 months in oak or bottle
59
What are the aging requirements for Anejo Spanish wines?
Minimum 2 years in oak or in bottle
60
What are the aging requirements for Viejo Spanish wines?
Minimum 3 years in oak and show marked oxidative notes
61
What is the maximum capacity of barrels for the fundamental aging regulations of Spain?
600 litres
62
What are the 3 general aging terms for DO and DOCa wines?
Crianza Reserva Gran Reserva
63
What are the aging requirements for red Crianza Spanish wines?
Minimum 2 years total including 6 months in oak
64
What are the aging requirements for white/rosado Crianza Spanish wines?
Minimum 18 months total including 6 months in oak
65
What are the aging requirements for red Reserva Spanish wines?
Minimum 3 years in total including 1 year in oak
66
What are the aging requirements for white/rosado Reserva Spanish wines?
Minimum 2 years in total including 6 months in oak
67
What are the aging requirements for red Gran Reserva Spanish wines?
Minimum 5 years total including 18 months in oak
68
What are the aging requirements for white/rosado Gran Reserva Spanish wines?
Minimum 4 years total including 6 months in oak
69
What is the maximum capacity for oak casks used in aging DOC/DOCa wines?
330 litres
70
What is the most planted white grape variety of Spain?
Airen
71
Where is Airen thought to originate from?
Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha
72
What are the 2 main reasons much of Airen is being replaced across Spain?
Vine-pull schemes It lacks identity and flavour
73
Other than wine, what is much of Airen made into in Spain?
Brandy
74
What is the key region in Spain for Albarino?
Rias Baixas in Galicia
75
Why is Albarino well suited to Rias Baixas?
It has thick skins which are resistant to diseases found in damp conditions
76
What are typical grape markers for Albarino from Rias Baixas?
Floral, saline, and peachy aromatics Elevated acidity and light bitterness on the palate
77
What Spanish grape variety was revived from extinction in Galicia in the 1970s?
Godello
78
What are the grape markers for Galician Godello?
Freshness and a stony, savoury aroma Medium+ body with medium+ acidity
79
What are the 2 commonly found synonyms for Macabeo in Spain and where are these synonyms used?
Viura - Rioja Macabeu - Catalonia
80
Where is Macabeo thought to have originated?
Penedes
81
What is the most common blending partner for Macabeo?
Xarel-lo
82
Under which 2 DOs is Macabeo most important?
Rioja DOCa Cava DO
83
Where is Parellada found in Spain?
Catalonia
84
Which DO is Paralleda most important in?
Cava DO
85
What does Parellada bring to a Cava blend?
Moderate acidity and aromas of apple and delicate flowers
86
Which Spanish island is known for quality Parellada wines?
Mallorca
87
Which DO is Palomino Fino most recognized for?
Sherry
88
Which autonomous community is Palomino Fino native to?
Andalucía
89
What is the synonym for Palomino Fino on the Canary Islands?
Listán Blanco
90
Where is thought to be Verdejo’s ancestral home?
Rueda
91
What other Spanish grape is a sibling of Verdejo?
Godello
92
What are typical aromas of Verdejo?
Orchard fruits and a touch of bitter almond
93
Where is Xarel-lo indigenous to?
Catalonia
94
What is the key DO Xarel-lo is used in?
Cava DO
95
What does Xarel-lo bring to a Cava blend?
Rich fruit flavours and structure
96
In which DO is Sauvignon Blanc commonly blended with Verdejo?
Sauvignon Blanc
97
What is the Spanish names for Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains and Muscat of Alexandria?
Moscatel de Grano Menudo Moscatel del Alejandría
98
Which DO is Moscatel de Alejandría most important in?
Sherry
99
Where is Bobal native to?
Utiel-Requena in Valencia
100
What are the common synonyms of Cariñena in Spain?
Carinyena and Mazuelo
101
What are the 2 most important appellations where Cariñena can feature?
Priorat and Rioja
102
Where is Garnacha thought to originate?
Aragon or Catalonia
103
What are the 4 most important DOs for Garnacha?
Priorait Rioja Montsant Navarra
104
What is Garnacha’s key blending partner in Rioja?
Tempranillo
105
What is the name of the white and pink skinned mutations of Garnacha?
Garnacha Blanc Garnacha Roja/Grenache Gris
106
What is the more common synonym for Garnacha Peluda (especially in Catalonia)?
Lladoner Pelut
107
What other name is Garnacha Tinorera known by?
Alicante Bouschet
108
What are the parent grapes of Garnacha Tintorera?
Garnacha and Petit Bouschet
109
Which 3 autonomous communities have the most significant plantings of Garnacha Tintorera?
Valencia Castilla La Mancha Galicia
110
Where are the most celebrated Mencia vines planted?
Galicia
111
Where is Listán Negro native to?
Canary Islands
112
What is the typical Mencia aroma?
Fresh, precise red fruit with a stony, savoury character
113
Where is Monastrell thought to be indigenous to?
Valencia
114
Where is the majority of Spain’s Monastrell planted?
Southwest around Valencia, Andalucía, and Castilla La Mancha
115
What are the typical aromas of Monastrell?
Deep, rich black and red fruit and a herbaceous, spicy character
116
What is the traditional oxidative, late-harvest wine Monastrell is the key variety of?
Fondillon from Alicante
117
What is Spain’s most planted red grape?
Tempranillo
118
What are the 6 key synonyms for Tempranillo in Iberia and where are these names used?
Cenicbel - Valdepenas Tinto del Pais - Ribera del Duero Tinto Fino - Ribera del Duero Tinta de Toro - Toro Tinto Roriz/Aragonez - Portugal Ull de Llebre - Catalonia
119
Where is Tempranillo thought to have originated?
Rioja (or Navarra)
120
Where is the mutation Tempranillo Blanc most commonly found?
Rioja
121
Roughly what percentage of the world’s Rose comes from Spain?
25%
122
What are the key rose DOs of Spain?
Navarra Cigales Valdepenas
123
What is the most used grape variety for Spanish rose?
Garnacha
124
When was the DO Pago Dominio de Valdepusa established and where is it located?
2003 Castilla-La Mancha
125
When was the DO Pago Finca Elez established and where is it located?
2003 Castilla-La Mancha
126
When was the DO Pago Guijoso established and where is it located?
2005 Castilla-La Mancha
127
When was the DO Pago Dehesa del Carrizal established and where is it located?
2006 Castilla-La Mancha
128
When was the DO Pago Arinzano established and where is it located?
2007 Navarra
129
When was the DO Pago Prado de Irache established and where is it located?
2008 Navarra
130
When was the DO Pago Otazu established and where is it located?
2009 Navarra
131
When was the DO Pago Campo de la Guardia established and where is it located?
2009 Castilla-La Mancha
132
When was the DO Pago Pago Florentino established and where is it located?
2009 Castilla-La Mancha
133
When was the DO Pago Casa del Blanco established and where is it located?
2010 Castilla-La Mancha
134
When was the DO Pago El Terrerazo established and where is it located?
2010 Utiel-Requena, Valencia
135
When was the DO Pago Calzadilla established and where is it located?
2011 Castilla-La Mancha
136
When was the DO Pago Los Balaguesas established and where is it located?
2011 Utiel-Requena, Valencia
137
When was the DO Pago Ayles established and where is it located?
2011 Aragon, Carinena
138
When was the DO Pago Vallegarcia established and where is it located?
2019 Castilla-La Mancha
139
When was the DO Pago La Jaraba established and where is it located?
2019 Castilla-La Mancha
140
When was the DO Pago Los Cerrillos established and where is it located?
2019 Castilla-La Mancha
141
When was the DO Pago Vera de Estenas established and where is it located?
2019 Utiel-Requena, Valencia
142
When was the DO Pago El Vicario established and where is it located?
2019 Castilla-La Mancha
143
When was the DO Pago Chozas Carrascal established and where is it located?
2020 Utiel-Requena, Valencia
144
When was the DO Pago Uruena established and where is it located?
2021 Castilla y Leon
145
When was the DO Pago Dehesa Penalba established and where is it located?
2022 Castilla y Leon
146
When was the DO Pago Bolandin established and where is it located?
2022 Navarra
147
When was the DO Pago Abadia-Retuerta established and where is it located?
2022 Castilla y Leon
148
When was the DO Pago Rosalejo established and where is it located?
2024 Castilla-La Mancha
149
When was the DO Pago Urbezo established and where is it located?
2024 Aragon
150
When was the DO Pago Rio Negro established and where is it located?
2025 Castilla-La Mancha
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