Wines 1 – Spain, Portugal And Fortified Wines

Front 1

Spain was historically known for the production of what beverage?

Back 1

Sherry

Front 2

The process of distillation was introduced to Spain when, and by whom?

Back 2

Moorish occupation in the 8th century brought with it the process of distillation and the fortification of wine (Sherry).

Front 3

What is Miguel Torres' contribution to the Spanish wine industry?

Back 3

Introduced modern wine making techniques in the 60s, e.g. stainless steel.

Front 4

How have politics affected wine production in Spain?

Back 4

A long history of dictatorships and communism kept Spain isolated from the winemaking world, and behind the times as a result.

Front 5

Spain's signature style over the past few decades is a result in part of the use of what kind of oak?

Back 5

American

Front 6

What is significant about the acreage of vineyards in Spain?

Back 6

Spain has more vineyard land planted than any other country, but with comparatively low yields.

Front 7

How has the dry climate of Spain affected viticulture?

Back 7

An average of 2.5 meters between plantings and drip irrigation

Front 8

How does the climate of Spain affect wine styles?

Back 8

Varied climate results in varied wine styles.

Front 9

Describe the three climate zones of Spain.

Back 9

North: "Green Spain" cooler, wet maritime climate near coast.
Middle: arid
Southern: Mediterranean climate produces a warm baked aspect to its wines

Front 10

What is the coastal area of Green Spain, and what is the DO there?

Back 10

Galicia, DO Rias Baixas

Front 11

What are the main white grapes of Spain?

Back 11

Verdejo, Albarino, Palomino

Front 12

What are the main red grapes of Spain?

Back 12

Tempranillo, Garnacha

Front 13

What are the six classifications under Spanish wine law?

Back 13

Vino de Mesa
Vino de la Tierra
Vino de Calidad Con Indicacion Geografica
Denominacion de Origen (DO)
Demominacion de Origen Calificada (DOC)
Denominacion de Origen de Pago

Front 14

What distinguishes Demominacion de Origen Calificada from DO?

Back 14

Stricter regulations, and wines are guaranteed to have performed over many years

Front 15

What distinguishes the Denominacion de Origen de Pago classification?

Back 15

Reserved for single estates with highest international reputation usually outside of traditional areas

Front 16

If a Vino de Pago is within the geographic limitations of a DOC, what can it call itself?

Back 16

Vino de Pago Calificada

Front 17

What are the three aging categories under Spanish wine law?

Back 17

Noble – 12 months (bottle or barrel)
Anejo – 24 months (bottle or barrel)
Viejo – 36 months (bottle or barrel), must show oxidative character

Front 18

What are the 4 aging categories specific to Spanish DO classification?

Back 18

Joven (no aging)
Crianza
Riserva
Gran Riserva

Front 19

What are the aging requirements for the Spanish Crianza category?

Back 19

RD: 2 years, 6 mo in oak
WH 18 mo w/6 in oak

Front 20

What are the aging requirements for the Spanish Reserva category?

Back 20

RD 3y, 1 in oak
WH/RS 2y, 6 mo in oak

Front 21

What are the aging requirements for the Spanish Gran Reserva category?

Back 21

RD 5y, 18 mo in oak
WH/RS 4y, 6 mo in oak

Front 22

What wines characterize DO Rias Baixas?

Back 22

Whites from Albarino

Front 23

What wines characterize DO Ribera del Duero?

Back 23

Bold high quality reds from Tempranillo and Bordeaux Varietals

Front 24

What wines characterize DO Toro?

Back 24

Reds from Tempranillo

Front 25

What wines characterize DO Rueda?

Back 25

Whites from Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc

Front 26

What wines characterize DO Cava?

Back 26

Traditional method sparkling from Maccabeo, Parellada, Xarelo-lo and Chardonnay with 9 months sur lee aging – half the time of Champagne & a great price-point

Front 27

What wines characterize DO Rioja?

Back 27

Most Riojas are blends:
RD – Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo
WH – Viura, Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca

Front 28

What wines characterize DO Priorat?

Back 28

Red blends, Garnacha dominant with Caninena and Cabernet

Front 29

Portugal has historically had an important trading relationship with which country?

Back 29

England

Front 30

When did Portugal join the EU, and how did this affect the wine industry?

Back 30

1986, resulting in an investment in winemaking technology, quality table wines and a new appellation system

Front 31

What are the four levels of Portugal's wine classification system?

Back 31

Vinho de Mesa – Table Wine
Vinho Regional (VR) – Like France's Vin de Pays
Indicacao de Proveniencia Regulamentada (IPR)
Denominacao de Origem Controlada (DOC)

Front 32

What are the distinctions between Portugal's IPR and DOC

Back 32

Indicacao de Proveniencia Regulamentada (IPR) – A stepping stone for Regions with potential for elevation to DOC
Denominacao de Origem Controlada (DOC) – Demarcated area for quality wine: strict regulations on varietal, yields etc.

Front 33

What are the important DOCs of Portugal?

Back 33

DOC Vinho Verde
DOC Porto & Douro
DOC Madeira
DOCs Dao, Bairrada, Alentajo are also noteworthy

Front 34

Characterize the wines of DOC Vinho Verde

Back 34

White/Rosé/Sparkling – best wines from Alvarinho grape (also Loureira & Trajadura)

Front 35

Characterize the wines of DOC Porto & Douro

Back 35

Fortified and still wines from 40+ permitted grapes, notably Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca

Front 36

Characterize the wines of DOC Madeira

Back 36

Estufa aged (maderized) fortified wines from Whites Sercial, Verdelho, Bual, Malvasia, Terrantez, Moscatel & Reds Bastardo, Tinta Negra Mole.

Front 37

What is Estufagem?

Back 37

The "baking" process used in aging Madeira. Heating to 100-140 °F mimics the effect of long journeys by ship.

Front 38

What is the only DO that produces Sherry and what is significant about its age?

Back 38

D.O. Jerez-Xeres-Sherry is the oldest DO in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe.

Front 39

Who regulates the Sherry DO?

Back 39

The Consejo Regulador regulates production from vineyard to shelf.

Front 40

What are the geographical characteristics of the Sherry region?

Back 40

Southern most wine region in Europe- Demarcated area referred to as the Sherry Triangle (Jerez de la Frontera-inland, El Puerto de Santa Maria-coast, Sanlucar de Barrameda-coast)

Front 41

Describe the soil of the Sherry region.

Back 41

Albariza (from "alba" – white) chalky, high calcium carbonate content, porous to retain moisture.
Other soils: Arenas (coastal), Barros (valleys).

Front 42

What grapes are authorized for Sherry production?

Back 42

Palomino – most important
Pedro Ximenez, Moscatel – used for sweetening and colouring

Front 43

When and how are Sherry grapes harvested?

Back 43

These early-ripening grapes are harvested in September, 90% by hand.

Front 44

What is the difference between a Criadera and a Solera?

Back 44

A Solera is the system of multiple rows of "Botas" (American oak barrels or butts) in which Sherry is aged. A criadera is a single row in a solera.

Front 45

What are the seven main styles of Sherry?

Back 45

Fino
Manzanilla
Amontillado
Oloroso
Palo Cortado
Cream
Pedro Ximenez

Front 46

When did the English discover the port region?

Back 46

Early 17th century

Front 47

Warres, Croft, and Taylor-Fladgate are all what?

Back 47

Port shippers

Front 48

What body regulates Port?

Back 48

IVDP (Instituto do Vinho do Douro e Porto)

Front 49

How many varietals are allowed in Port production?

Back 49

Over 40

Front 50

What are the 5 most important red varietals used to make Port?

Back 50

Touriga National
Touriga Franca
Tinta Roriz
Tinta Barroca
Tinto Cao

Front 51

What kind of soil is predominant in the Port region?

Back 51

Schist is a form of slate that roots can still penetrate very deeply –
the same soil is found in Ribera del Douro & Priorat.

Front 52

What architectural feature is common in vineyards in the Port region?

Back 52

Terraced vineyards

Front 53

How has the method of grape crushing in Port changed?

Back 53

Grapes are now crushed by Auto-Vinifiers rather than by foot.

Front 54

Describe the fermentation process of Port.

Back 54

The fermentation process takes place inside auto vinifiers which constantly pump the juice and must over the thick cap of skins to extract huge amounts of tannin and colour.

Front 55

What is "The Beneficio"?

Back 55

Neutral grape spirit (77%) added to arrest fermentation of Port at about 6-8%.

Front 56

What determines the timing of fortification of Port?

Back 56

Residual sugar.

Front 57

What is they typical alcohol level for Port?

Back 57

18-20%

Front 58

What are the two styles of Port?

Back 58

Bottle Aged Port: LBV, Vintage, Single Quinta, Vintage Character, Crusted, Ruby
Wood Aged Port: Tawny (10, 20, 40), Colheita