Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
107 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Spanish wine law hierarchy
|
Vino de Mesa
Vino de la Tierra (VdiT) Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geographica (VCIG) Denominacion de Origen (DO) DO Pago (single estates) Denominacion de Origin Calificada (DOC, DOCa, DOQ) |
|
|
Vino de Mesa
|
Table wine
No geographical name on label |
|
|
VdiT
|
Vin dVino de la Tierra
Vin de Pays equivalent Approx 40 total |
|
|
VCIG
|
Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geographica
Stepping stone to higher quality Min 5 year wait for promotion |
|
|
DO
|
Denominacion de Origen
AOC equivalent Approx 60 total Min quality and grapes, viticulture, location and style all specified 10 yr wait for DOC promotion to be considered |
|
|
DOC
|
Also DOCa or DOQ
Denominacion de Origen Calificada Defined very high quality regions Only Rioja and Priorat qualify Consejo Regulador test and guarantee quality |
|
|
Quality wine ageing catagories
|
Vino Joven (yr after harvest)
Crianza (6 mn oak, 2 yr min age) Reserva (1 yr oak, 3 yr total) Gran Reserva (2yr oak, 5 yr total) |
|
|
Spanish quality regulators
|
Consejo Reguladors
|
|
|
Vino Joven
|
May or may not have seen oak
Bottled year following vintage for release 'young wine' |
|
|
Crianza Red
|
Red aged min 2 yrs
Min 6 months cask ageing Rioja and Ribera = 1 yr in oak and 1 yr in bottle) |
|
|
Crianza White
|
White and Rosado =
1 yr ageing before release 6 months cask ageing |
|
|
Reserva ageing rules (Spain)
|
Reds = 3 yrs (1 in oak)
White = 2 yrs (6 months in oak) Rosado = 2 yrs (6 months in oak) Most have 18 months in oak in practice |
|
|
Gran Reserva (Spain)
|
Exceptional vintages
Red = 5 yrs age, 2 in oak Whites = 4 yrs age, 6 mn in oak Rosado = 4 yrs age, 6 mn in oak ALSO Reds must see 3 yrs in glass Must age in company cellar |
|
|
Quality vs standard wine ageing terms (Spain)
|
Quality wines = Vino Joven, Crianza, Reserva, Grand Reserva
Any wines can use = nobel, anejo, viejo |
|
|
Noble (Spain)
|
Labelling term for any level of wine
1 yr ageing minimum No oak ageing required (quality wines all require oak except vino joven) |
|
|
Anejo (Spain)
|
Term not limited to quality wine
2 years ageing No oak ageing requirements |
|
|
Viejo (Spain)
|
Term not limited to quality wine
3 years ageing No oak requirement MUST display marked oxidative effect |
|
|
Quality vs general wine ageing requirements
|
All quality wine regulations except Vino Joven have a cask ageing requirement
|
|
|
Spanish for rose
|
Rosado
|
|
|
Altitude of Central Spain
|
HighUp to 1,100 meters
Major diurnal contrast |
|
|
Spanish viticulture
|
largest area under vine but not largest producer of wine
Low yields Low density plantings Bush vines New vineyards are wire trained |
|
|
Traditional Spanish red vinification
|
Partial carbonic maceration
or fermented free run juice with solid pulp pressings added back for colour and tannin |
|
|
Modern Spanish red winemaking
|
Ferment on skins
controlled pumping over to extract colour and tannins Drained when part fermented Pulp pressed and press wine wholly or partially mixed back with free run depending on style, harvest and price |
|
|
Modern Spanish white winemaking
|
Picked carefully for sugar + acid balance
limited handling to prevent oxidation temp controlled ferments (quality) Cool maceration for delicate whites to extract aromatics Some barrel fermentation used |
|
|
Rosado winemaking (Spain)
|
Fermented to dry
Juice fermented on skins for 12 - 24 hrs then pressed off Fermentation is temp controlled |
|
|
5 red Spanish grapes
|
Tempranillo
Garnacha Graciano Mazuelo/Carinena (Carignan) Monastrell (Mourvedre) |
|
|
4 Spanish White grapes
|
Viura/Macabeo (Macabeu)
Malvasia Albarino Verdejo |
|
|
Tempranillo synonyms
|
Cencibel
Tinto Fino Ull de Liebre Premier red grape widely planted in Northern Spain |
|
|
Tempranillo preferred growing conditions
|
Chalky soil
Moderate climate EARLY ripening variety |
|
|
Tempranillo wines
|
strawberry scented
High acid (early ripening) Blends well Ages well |
|
|
Garnacha
|
Spain's most planted black grape
High yields High alcohol Wines mature early Used for rosados In Spain more tannins, black tea and rose hip savoury, less confected fruit |
|
|
Spain's most planted black grape
|
Garnacha
|
|
|
Graciano
|
Black Spanish grape
Limited plantings Mainly Rioja Used in finest wines Low yields Powerful aromas Full Body + tannins Ages well |
|
|
Mazuelo
|
Mazuelo in Rioja
Carinena in rest of Spain Red Carignan grape High Acid High Tannin High Colour Blends well with Tempranillo |
|
|
Carinena
|
Mazuelo in Rioja
Carinena in rest of Spain Red Carignan grape High Acid High Tannin High Colour Blends well with Tempranillo |
|
|
Carignan
|
Mazuelo in Rioja
Carinena in rest of Spain Red Carignan grape High Acid |
|
|
Monastrell
|
Mourvedre grape
Red grape Grown in Spain's South East Spanish native from Alicante Dark, powerful, spicy wines |
|
|
Viura
|
White grape
Viura in Rioja Macabeo in Catalunya Good fruit + acid when grown with low yields Neutral if not handled well Blended in Rioja |
|
|
Malvasia
|
White grape
Full bodied Blended with Viura in traditional oak aged Rioja Contributes richness to the blend |
|
|
Albarino
|
Galicia coast
Crisp, aromatic whites ( lecturer notes: Nervous acidity Apple, pear and mineral) |
|
|
Traditional white Rioja grapes
|
Viura (fruit and acid)
Malvasia (body + richness) |
|
|
Verdejo
|
Mainly grown in Rueda
Oxidises easily Powerful, aromatic whites with careful handling |
|
|
Rioja region
|
Surrounded by mountains
Bordelais relocated during phylloxera Longer oak + bottle ageing than other regions |
|
|
Rioja sub regions
|
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Alta Rioja Baja |
|
|
Rioja Alavesa
|
North West of region
Cool maritime influence (Atlantic) Relatively high rainfall Chalk rich soils Lighter bodied wines with finesse |
|
|
Rioja Alta
|
West + South West of region
Clay soils for white Viura or red soils high in iron for Tempranillo Small alluvial area for Mavasia (white) Maritime climate Warmer and drier than Rioja Alavesa |
|
|
Rioja Baja
|
East of region
Continental climate (hot summers, severe winters) Clay soils Garnacha dominent Largest Vino Joven producer |
|
|
Rioja red/white/rose %
|
75% of Rioja's production is red
10% of Rioja is white 15% of Rioja is Rosado |
|
|
Rioja red grapes
|
Tempranillo dominates
with Graciano and Mazuelo (Carignan) for expensive wines Garnacha large component in cheaper wines Large range of styles |
|
|
Rioja traditional style
|
Reserva & Gran Reserva
Long ageing period Developing savoury meat and caramel characters savouries compliment soft strawberry fruit Pale red with brown rim |
|
|
Rioja modern style
|
Darker
More pronounced fruit character Strawberry and plum Less oxidative More obvious oak flavours of vanilla, toast and coconut |
|
|
White Rioja grapes
|
10% of Rioja production is white
Blends of: Viura Malvasia Verdejo Chard & Sauv Blanc recently permitted |
|
|
White Rioja traditional style
|
Deliberately oxidised
Extended ageing in American oak Savoury, nutty characters Only Lopez de Heredia still make this style |
|
|
White Rioja Modern style
|
Some moderately oxidative oak aged white
Modern = Low temp ferment in Stainless steel to preserve fruit French oak ageing experiments |
|
|
White Rioja blending rules
|
Viura + Malvasia must be 51% of blend min
Chard, Sauv B + Verdejo must not be more than 49% |
|
|
Rioja Rosado
|
15% of production
Mainly Garnacha Most unaged |
|
|
Navarra Region
|
East of Rioja
Range of soils + microclimates Light fresh Rosado important Modern, high quality reds |
|
|
Navarra grapes
|
Garnacha dominates
International cab sauv, merlot, Chard & Moscatel Increasingly wire trained and mechanically harvested |
|
|
Navarra wines
|
Investment in temp control ferment tanks and small new oak barrels
Traditional wines like Rioja Colour and blackberry from permitted adding of Cab Sauv and Merlot Varietal wines (local or int) permitted |
|
|
Somontano
|
Between Navarra + Catalunya
Pyrenees foothills Cool climate significant rain More white than red Modern varietal labeled Almost no native grapes Cab Sauv/Merlot/Pinot Noir/Chard/Chenin Blanc/ Gewürztraminer |
|
|
Calatayud
|
Below Rioja and Navarra
Arid continental climate 80% garnacha Tempranillo also in blends Rich, powerful reds international style, modern winemaking |
|
|
Catalunya
|
Cava varietals
Broad range of climates + styles DO allows for blending across large region 1st Spanish region to use stainless steel Torres introduced international grapes Penedes, Priorat and Tarragona sub regions Torres introduced |
|
|
Penedes history
|
South of Barcelona
Catalunya sub region Torres realised potential in '60s |
|
|
Penedes climate and soils
|
Catalunya sub region
Hot Mediterranean sandy coastal plain Temperate Cava inland Cool continental high inland chalk and clay hill sites High quantity of limestone in hills Good drainage and soil depth |
|
|
Penedes grapes
|
Traditional Parellada, Xarel-lo + Macabeo
Garnacha + Monastrell trad reds Large international plantings: Chardonnay Gewürztraminer Sauvignon Blanc Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc Pinot Noir |
|
|
Conca de Barbera geography + climate
|
Catalunya region inland north of Penedes + Tarragona
200 - 400m altitude Cool, sunny climate cooling sea breezes low rainfall (experimental so can irrigate) |
|
|
Conca de Barbera wines
|
Raimat invested heavily
Chardonnay dominates Some Joven + Crianza reds (cab sauv + tempranillo) Torres success with Pinot Noir |
|
|
Costers del Segre
|
Inland in Catalunya (above conca de Barbera)
protected by mountains Raimat estate of Cordorniu Cava family Raimat heavy investment in vineyards + wine gained DO for region Sandy top soil over limestone Severe semi arid climate Very low rain Raimat built irrigation network local and international reds and whites Irrigation automated above 35c or when freezing |
|
|
Priorat geography
|
West of catalunya
Peak of Tarragon 70 - 700 m above sea level High altitude low rainfall Continental (hot and dry) Cooler at higher altitudes Volcanic origin Llicorella top soil red slate + mica over schist |
|
|
Priorate traditional wines
|
Long oak aging
rancio aromas of game + mushroom High alcohol low yielding garnacha + carinena |
|
|
Modern Priorat
|
Rene Barbier saw potential in 1989
Steep slopes are best near Gratallop intense bramble fruit powerful tannins oak characters Merlot, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Garnacha low yields |
|
|
Tarragona
|
Largest DO in Catalunya Mediterranean alluvial coast plains
Continental limestone hills inland Mainly modern easy drinking Predominently Joven red/white/rosado |
|
|
Terra Alta geography
|
West of Priorat/Tarragona
High altitude Rolling hills and valley Limestone and clay |
|
|
Terra Alta wines
|
Influenced by Priorat styles
Less quality improvement than Priorat Broad range of styles Mainly domestic sales Carinena Garnacha Garnacha Blanca Macabeo |
|
|
VdiT de Castilla
|
Huge Vin de Pays equivalent
Hot, arid plains of central Spain = 6% of world's vineyards Tempranillo + int reds |
|
|
Duero Valley sub regions
|
West to East
Bierzo Toro Rueda Ribera del Duero |
|
|
Toro geography
|
Duero Valley on Portugese border
Continental climate Alluvial soils with limestone in north |
|
|
Toro wines
|
Full bodied REDS
Rich High alcohol Mainly Tinta del Toro (local Tempranillo clone |
|
|
Rueda geography
|
Between Toro and Ribera del Duero
South of river Duero Continental climate Cool evenings give elegance Iron rich well draining soils Northern area on banks of Duero has limestone |
|
|
Rueda winemaking
|
Night harvesting
Low temp ferments Inert gas coverage Verdejo WHITES |
|
|
Rueda wines
|
Verdejo WHITES
Elegant + aromatic Crisp acidity Also Sauvignon Blanc and Viura Reds permitted too Marques de Riscal 1972 investment made popular |
|
|
Ribera del Duero geography
|
East of Duero valley
centre of Northern Spain North of Madrid Higher altitude than Rioja Continental climate Warm summers but very cool nights sometimes harvest in November! Best soils = limestone with large stones for good drainage |
|
|
Vega Sicilia
|
Ribera Del Duero
Planted with Bordeaux grapes in 1860s Sold at min 10 years old Longer in oak than virtually any other table wine Ages in cask, oak vat or concrete tank Now also aged in bottle Intense, complex, expensive Reserva Especial is NV blend Also Vina Pinta in Toro |
|
|
Ribera del Duero wines
|
Thicker + darker than Rioja
High tannins Powerful black fruit + plum All Tempranillo (except Vega Sicilia) New French oak can be used (lecturer, not earthy herbs of Rioja but tobacco and hung meat) |
|
|
Bierzo
|
Technically Duero valley but closer to Gallacia, east of Riax Baixas
gentle slopes Mountains protect from Atlantic Mencia reds (fresh red berry and herb like Cab Franc) Godello aromatic whites 1990s fashion investment Priorat's Palacio led revival |
|
|
VdiT Castilla y Leon
|
Duero Valley Vin de Pays
Declassified wines or style outside DO regulations |
|
|
Duero Valley Vin de Pays
Declassified wines or style outside DO regulations |
Castilla y Leon VdiT
|
|
|
Rias Baixas wines and problems
|
Albarino WHITES
distinctive peach aroma crisp acidity light body damp causes disease Vintage variation drives up price |
|
|
The Levant
|
Includes 6 DOs in South East
Most wines coarse due to 45 degree heat and 300mm rain |
|
|
Levant Sub Regions showing some improvement
|
Alicante
Valencia Yecloa Jumilla |
|
|
Alicante geography
|
Vineyards in coastal river valleys
Hot Mediterranean Climate Alluvial soils + some limestone |
|
|
Alicante Wines
|
90% from poorly equipped co-ops
Easy drinking white/red/rosado Sweet Moscatel Red Monastrell can reach 18% abv naturally * Alicante Bouschet grape is French grenache cross sometimes called just 'Alicante' |
|
|
Valencia geography
|
Coastal region north of Alicante
Warm Mediterranean Low clay soils rising to limestone at altitude Spain's biggest port |
|
|
Jumilla Geography
|
East of La Mancha (hills between)
West of Alicante Levant sub region Inland and hilly up to 700m Hot Mediterranean Hot dry sandy soils 1980s phylloxera = vine pull + root stock + new varieties |
|
|
Jumilla grapes & wine styles
|
Mainly Joven RED
Red & Rosado must be 50% MONASTRELL min Also sweet red from Monastrell, around 16%abv & 5/6yrs in oak |
|
|
Jumilla Wine Tasting Note
|
Jumilla Joven reds =
Full Body High Alcohol black fruit Hints of meat Liquorice |
|
|
Yecla geography & trade
|
Enclosed between Alicante & Jumilla in Levant
Limestone bedrock OR sand over clay Dominated by La Purisima, Spain's largest co-op |
|
|
Spain's Largest Co-op
|
La Purisima dominates little Yecla in the Levant
|
|
|
Yecla wines
|
Joven REDS
Carbonic maceration common Monastrell, (Garnacha & Tempranillo) Small amount of whites |
|
|
The Meseta
|
La Mancha & its south central sub region of Valdepenas
|
|
|
La Mancha geography
|
Plateau high above sea level
Center of Spain south of Madrid Hot, dry, extreme continental Dry hard soil with shallow sandy topsoil '9 months of winter, 3 of hell' |
|
|
La Mancha vineyards
|
Low density bush trained vines
canopy protects fruit & cools ground Irrigation since 1996 Recent move to pick 2 weeks early to retain fruit and acid EU investing in potential so stainless steel & cool fermentation Arien (WHITE) most planted variety in the world Neutral light wine, much for brandy Cencibel/Tempranillo 2nd most planted New Cab Sauv & Syrah plantings |
|
|
La Mancha Stats
|
Over 1 million acres
25hl/ha average Twice as big as all Australia's vineyards put together 250k of Arien alone 80's onwards not bulk wine but large producers bringing modernisation and co-ops modernising |
|
|
Arien
|
Worlds most planted grape
La Mancha has 250k ha Drought resistant Neutral white wine Much for Brandy de Jerez |
|
|
Valdepenas geography
|
Small plain surrounded by hills in South La Mancha
Extreme continental Limestone soils retail water wineries in city so grapes transported in heat, new wineries nr vineyards Modern temp control methods |
|
|
Valdepenas wines
|
Separate DO as better quality than La Mancha
Whites = 100% Arien (dominent) Reserva & Gran Reserva reds = 100 Cencibel/Tempranillo Joven/Crianza reds = Min 20% Cencibel, Arien permitted Carbonic maceration of young reds is common Old American Oak ageing gives vanilla character |
|
|
Valdepenas reds tasting note
|
Good structure
Full body Aging potential High quality at reasonable price Smooth vanilla character |
