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97 Cards in this Set

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"Sin Crianza"
Spain
Aging term (now disappearing)
Wines withou wood again
"Vino Joven"
Spain
Aging term (replacing Sin Crianza)
Wines without wood aging ment to be drunk within the year
"Crianza"
Spain
Aging term
Literally "wine of breeding" or "aged"
Reds= 2 years of minimum aging with alteast 6 months of it being in wood (Rioja, Ribera it's 12 months in wood)
Whites= 1 year total again, 6months in oak
"Reserva"
Spain
Aging term
Best wines from good years
Reds= 3 years with at least 1 year in wood
Whites/Rose= 2 years with 6 months in wood
"Gran Reserva"
Spain
Aging term
Best wines from exceptional years
Red= minimum 5 years, with 2-3 years in wood
White/Rose= Minimum 4 years, with 6 months in wood
Spanish Wine Levels
Table wines:
Vino de Mesa
Vino Comarcal
Vino de la Tierra

Quality Wine:
Denominacion de Origin (DO)
Denominacion de Origine Calficada (DOCa)

Since 2003:
Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geographica
Vinos de Pago (DO Pago)
Vino de Mesa
Spain
Literally "Table Wine"
Most likely seen on ordinary and very cheap wines
Lowest level of Spanish wine
Vino Comarcal
Spain
Regional wine... somewhat similar to France's VdP
Still considered table wine
Vino de la Tierra
Spain
Top level of Spanish table wine
Equivilant to France's VdP
Denominacion de Origin or DO
Spain
First level of Spain's quality wine
Equivilant to French AOC in quality
Denominacion de Origin Calificada (DOCa)
Spain
Comperable to Italy's DOCG
Sometimes seen as DOC or DOQ
Only 3 wines with this status: Rioja, Piroat, Ribera del Duero
Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geographica
Spain
Sort if equivilant to VDQS in France
After 5 years, regions in the catagory can apply for DO status

"Learning DO, still has training wheels on it..."
Vinos de Pago
Spain
Controversial system for identifying supposedly great estates that select thier own rules for viti/vini
"For individual exceptional wines that are made with quality in mind"
Currently 9 "DO Pago" in Navarra and La Mancha
"Consejo Regulador"
Spain
Local regional controlling section of the "Istituto Nacional de Demominaciones de Origen" (INDO) which regulates and reports back to the INDO
Also issues "Contretiquetta" ("Backlable") to all quality wines
Spain
Geography Basics
3rd most mountainous counrty in Europe
90% of all Spanish vineyards lie at altitudes higher than any major wine region in France... so, much cooler winters, but much hotter summers
Spain
Basic Climate
#major European climatic zones are represented: Mediterranean Coastal, Atlantic Maritime ("green spain"), Continental ("meseta")
Excessive heat can be an issue, it forces the vine to shut down for a portion of the summer, making it hard to build sugar near harvest time
Drought and water avalibility can be an issue
Spain
Viticulture
Traditionally very wide vine spacing or vines will kill eachother for water
Low yeild for old vines is common
Generally dry climate led to irrigation becoming legal in 1996 allowing increased density and thus higher yeild
"En Cabeza"
Spain
vine training most common in semi-arid to adir areas
Heads are trained low to keep cool, leaves are trained to shade grapes from sun. This helps to pick up early morning dew and remain cool for longer
"En Vaso"
Spain
Vine training most common in semi-arid to continental areas
Bush/Gobelet
"En Cordon"
Spain
Vine training most common in full continental to temperate area
Trained along wires
Assists mechanical harvesting
Arien
Spain
Most planted grape according to hectarage in the country
Traditionally used for base wine for brandy
Palomino
Spain
Main Grape for Sherry, rarely used for table wines
Macabeo/Viura
Spain
Highly regarded white and used in many major regions (Rioja, Penendes)
Best grape in Cava production
Albarino
Spain
Excellent white grape from Galicia
Full and Rich!
Verdejo
Spain
High quality white grown in Rueda
Similar flavors to Sauvignon Blanc
Considered to be one of Spain's best white grapes
Xarel-lo
Spain
Mostly used in Cava production
Occasionally blended or varietal in Catalonia
Parellada
Spain
Mostly used in Cava production
Occasionally blended or varietal wine in Catalonia
Chardonnay
(Spain)
Important in Catlonia, Somontano, La Mancha
Sauvignon Blanc
(Spain)
Does well in Rueda, starting to pop up in Penedes
Garnacha
Spain
Most widely planted red grape in the country
High yield
Produces high alcohol wines
Oxidizes easily in production/again
Several clones- Lisa and Peluda are the highest quality
Tempranillo
Spain
Most imprtant/highly regarded red in the country
Prized for finesse, aromats, aging ability
Many aliases: Cencibel, Ull de Llebre, Tinto Fino, Tinto del Pais, Tinta de Toro
Mazuelo/Carinena
Spain
"Carignan" in France
Blends well with Garnacha
Graciano
Spain
Low yield red used for blending
Adds color, depth to Rioja
Monastrell
Spain
High yielding red with intense color and high alocohol wines
Righ meaty flavor
Called Mourvedre in France
Growing in popularity
Cabernet Sauvignon
(Spain)
Important in Catlonia, Somontano, Priorat, Navarra, Ribera del Duero
Coming into use in outlying areas as well
Merlot
(Spain)
Important in Catalonia, Somontano, Priorat, Navarra, Ribera del Duero
Becoming more popular in outlying areas as well
Rias Baixas
DO
Galicia
Mostly Albarino (100% if labaled as such) with some Treixadura, Louriera, Caino Blanco
Yummy whites. Crisp acidity, mineral, peach, melon
Val do Salnes
Galicia, Rias Baixas (1 of 5 subzones)
Most important subzone, coolest and dampest
Ribero
DO
Spain, Galicia
Similar wines to Portugal's Vinho Verde
Traditionally: Palomino whites from sundried grapes
Today: Similar to Rias Baixas but Treidadura is the main grape
Galicia
Basics
NW Spain
Atlantic maritime climate
Mencia
Spain
Local Variety (mostly seen in Bierzo, Ribera Sarca)
Tastes like Cabernet Franc, was though to be the same grape for some time
Ribera Sarca
DO
Spain, Galicia
Some of the finest reds in NW Spain from Mencia grape
Whites from Palomino and Albarino
Bierzo
DO
Spain, Castilla-Leon
Some of NW Spain's best reds from the Mencia grape
Concentrated wines rom old vineyards on great sites with steep slopes
Rioja
DOCa
Spain
Country's best known unfortified wine ("Spain's Bordeaux")
Mild climate with Atlantic and Mediterranean influences
High iron clay soils with limestone chalk and alluvial
Reds: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano
White: Viura, Malvasia
Made up of 3 main districts
Rioja Alta
Spain
The most important Rioja district
Together with RIoja Alavesa, these areas produce the best wines in the region
The clay soils and proximity to the Atlantic produce concentrated and fruity wines
Rioja Alavesa
Spain
Rioja district
Calcareous Clay soils
Cooler climate subregion
Tempranillo dominates wines, which are the lightest in the region
Together with Rioja Alta produce the highest quality wines in the area
Rioja Baja
Spain
Rioja district
Iron rich clay and alluvial silt soils
Semi-arid mediterranean climate
Garnacha is the dominate grape, wines are full bodied and high alcohol
Typical Rioja Blend
(Red)
Tempranillo=70%
Garnacha=15%
Graciano=7.5%
Mazuelo=7.5%
Typical Rioja Blend
(White)
Mostly Viura with small amounts of Malvasia... changing... sometimes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Rioja
Wine Styles
1.Traditional: Fast fermentation, extended aging in American oak
2.Modern: Long maceration, again in used French oak
3.Postmodern: Bland of the traditional and modern
Navarra
DO
Spain
Overlaps part of Rioja Baja
Knows for "Rosado" from Garnacha (still accounts for about 1/2 of production)
5 subregions: Baja Montana, Ribera Alta, Tierra Estella, Valdizarbe
Wines are improving in quality as reliance on Garnacha decreases and more Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon is being used
Somantano
Spain
Means "under the mountains"
Foothills of the Pyrenees
Up and coming area for Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Suavignon, Merlot and Tempranillo
Potential to be one of Spain's best wine regions
Carinena
Spain
Hot, dry area mostly known for reds based on Garnacha
Some straight-forward whites from Viura and Garnacha Blanca
Costers del Segre
Spain
The DO was originally created to accomodate Raimat winery only
Used to be an infertile salt plain, took 50 years to make the soil suitable to grow vines
Varietal wines from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Piont Noir
Excellent still and sparkling Chardonnay
Penedes
Spain
Famous due to production of Cava and for Miguel Torres
Prior to phylloxera, the area was planted with over 80% black grapes
WHite grapes were replanted due to the popularity of Champagne at the time of grafting
3 sub-regions: Bajo Penedes, Medio Penedes, Penedes Superior
Bajo Penedes
Spain, Penedes
This is the costal and warmest of the 3 sub-regions
Good for full bodied reds
Mostly planted with black grapes- Monastrell, Garnacha, Carinena dominate
Medio Penedes
Spain, Penedes
The middle, hilly sub-region
Grapes are grown at altitudes of 660 feet
Essentially Cava country, but home to some very good new style reds as well
Mostly Macabeo and Xarel-lo are planted for Cava production
Reds from Tempranillo, cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Monastrell
Penedes Superior
Spain, Penedes
Sometimes known as "Alt Penedes"
Farthest inland of the 3 sub-regions
Grapes are grown at altitudes of up to 800 meters
Mostly white grapes: Parellada, Riesling, Gewurtztraminer
Some Pinot Noir
Tarragona
Spain
70% of production is white, most of which is sold to near by Penedes to make Cava
3 sub-regions: Campo de Tarragona, Falset, Ribera d'Elbre
Increasing interest in reds due to the success of Priorat, and many of them are fashioned in a similar style
Priorat
DOCa
Spain
Exciting, high quality region at high altitudes (700 meters)
Poor quality stoney, volcanic soils as well as slate ("Llicorella")
Valleys have more aluvial soils
Excellent independant producers
Carinena blended with other grapes such as Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon
The Grattalops Group
Group of popular and high quality producers that started making wine in Priorat in the 1980's, mostly in the Siurana Valley
Rene Barber (Clos Mogador)introduced Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir
Alvero Palacios (Finca Dofi) is the star of the group
$$$
La Mancha
Spain
Just under 50% of Spain's total production is from here
Mostly planted: Arien (traditional source of base wine for brandy)
Improved technology=better quality wines
Valdpenas
Spain
Extention of La Mancha
Reputation of higher quality wines
Mostly red from "Cencibel" (Tempranillo)
Some excellent reds and rose
Valencia
Spain
Most famous for oranges...
Best known DO is Levante
Mostly white wines... mostly dry... mostly neutral...
Excellent reds and rose
Portugal
(History)
Vines brought by the Phoenicians (probably)
Long History of trading with England (treaty of Windsor in 1386)
Wealthy country through the 18th century, begain to decline in the 19th
Fell behind due to isolatinoist dictator Salazar and the Estado Novo from 1932-1974
Joined the EU in 1986 and the wine industry begain to grow again...
Methuen Treaty of 1703
Between England and Portugal
Gave preferential treatment to Portuguese goods, removed terifs for those goods going to England
Increased the populaity of Portugese wines, injured Spain's wine industry
Portugal
(Wine Levels)
Table wines:
Vinho de Mesa
Vinho Regional

Quality Wines:
Indicacao de Proveniencia Regulamentada (IPR)
Denominacao de Origem Controlada (DOC)
"Adega"
"Cellar"
Portugal
"Branco"
"White"
Portugal
"Colheita"
"Vintage"
Portugal
"Garrafado na Origem"
"Estate Bottled"
Portugal
"Maduro"
"Old/Mature"
Portugal
"Quinta"
"Farm/Estate"
Portugal
"Verde"
"Young"
Portugal
"Vinha"
"Vineyard"
Portugal
Portugal
(Climate)
Extream and varied for such a small country
General climate is humid and temperate
Tempratures become more extreme towards the Spanish border
High rainfall in the north and along the coast
Touriga Nacional
(Portugal)
One of the countries finest red grapes
Star of the Douro
Forms the backbone of many ports and excellent red wines
Tinta Roriz/Aragones
(Portugal)
Tempranillo
Portugal
(Red Grapes)
Touriga Nacional
Tinta Roriz
Touriga Francesa
Tinta Cao
Tina Amerela
Baga
Trincadeird
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Portugal
(White Grapes)
Arinto
Bical
Encruzado
Alvarinho
Vinho Verde
(Basics)
Portugal
Alvarinho grape dominates
Hot summers and wet winters
Mostly granite soils
Traditionally an area for polyculture, was once forbidden to plant a whole field with just grapes
Vineyards are now more systimaticly planted
Vines are trained high to protect from mold and mildew
9 sub regions
Vinho Verde
(Viticulture)
Vines high trained to protect from mold and mildews
"Cruzeta" or "Barra" most common training systems
"Cruzeta"
Portugal
Vine training system in Vinho Verde region
High trained, spur purned, double cordon
"Barra"
Portugal
Vine training system in Vinho Verde region
Lower trained, spur pruned, single cordon
Vinho Verde
(Vinification)
"Verde" refers to the youth or "greeness" of the wine
Modern vinification- stainless or tile lined vats
Many wines have a small amount of CO2 injected at time of bottling
1/2 production is red and traditionally bottled during MLF to get spritz... resulted in nasty cheese-like notes
Vinho Verde
(Grapes)
"Alvarinho" (Alborino)
Amaral
Espadeiro
Louriero
Trajadura
Amarante
Portugal, Vinho Verde sub-region
Ave
Portugal, Vinho Verde sub-region
Lima
Portugal, Vinho Verde sub-region
Douro- Table Wine
(Basics)
Portugal
Most important region for quality
Famous due to Porto production
Majority of grapes are actually used for table wines (up to 60%)
First high quality table wine was Barca Velha in the 1950's
Dramatic increase in quality table wine production in past 10 years
Best are produced by Port Houses
Dao
Portugal
One of the countries longest established wine regions
Mostly granite soils
Traditionally, wines spent too mush time in wood, leading to fruitless, dried out wines... but quality is improving
Red dominate- 20% of blend must be Touriga Nacional
Whites from Encruzado
Bairrada
Portugal
Named for the word for clay- "bairro"
Known for medium bodied, highly tannic reds from the Baga grape
Small (but increasing) white production from the "Maria Gomes" (Fernao Pires) grape with some Encruzado
Colares
Portugal
Atlantic coast, north of Lisbon
Temprate maritime climate
Vines often protected from harsh winds by bamboo or plastic sheets
Home of the Ramisco grape, which grows in sandy phylloxera free soil on native roots
Bucelas
Portugal
25 miles north of Lisbon
Soils are a mix of clay and limestone
Warm maritime climate
White wines only
Arinto is a minimum 85% of the blend
Ribatejo
Portugal
Huge region that covers the broad valley of the Tagus/Tejo river north east of Lisbon
Maritime climate around the Tagus estuary, Warmer and drier inland
Reds from Periquita grape,
whites from "Fernao Pires" (Maria Gomes) which are mostly labled as "Vinho Regional Ribatejo"
International grapes are only allowed for IPR wines
Alentejo
Portugal
"The next Douro"
Largest region in Portugal
Mostly granite soils with some limestone and clay
Known for supple reds
More money is being invested, and more international grapes are showing up
The whole area has it's own DOC, but there are many sub-regions as well
Palmela
Portugal
The region is thr result of to former IPR areas: Palmela and Arrabida
Located on the Setubal Peninsula near the Atlantic coast
Warm, maritime climate with mild winters
"Castelao" (Periquita) is the dominate red
"Fernao Pires" (Maria Gomes) is the most common white