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79 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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How are the wines classified in Spain?
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DOCa, DO Pago, DO, Vino de la Tierra (VdIT), Vino de Mesa
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What is DOC in Spain?
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Top level of classification. Rioja and Priorat.
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What is Pago DO in Spain?
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Outstanding single estate wines.
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What is DO in Spain?
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Similar to AOC.
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What is VdIT in Spain?
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Similar to Vin de Pays; allows experimentation
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What is Vino de Mesa in Spain?
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Equivalent to Vin de Table.
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What are the aging categories in Spain?
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Vino Joven, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva.
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What is Vino Joven?
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Young wine; may or may not have spent time in cask.
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What are the aging requirements for Crianza?
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Red wines must be at least two years old and aged a min. of 6 months in oak. Whites and roses must be at least one year old.
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What are the aging requirements for Reservas?
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Selected vats from better vintages. Reds must be aged in cask and bottle for a min. of three years, of which a min. of 1 year must be in oak cask. White and roses must be aged for two years, with a min. of six months in cask.
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What are the aging requirements for Gran Reservas?
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Only in exceptional vintages. Red wine must be at least 5 years old, with at least 2 years in wood and 3 years in the bottle. White and roses should be aged for at least 4 years, with at least 6 months in oak.
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What are the main red varieties in Spain?
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Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Carignan (Mazuelo), Monastrell
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What are the main white varieties in Spain?
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Macabeo (Viura), Parellada, Xarel-lo, Malvasia, Albarino
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Characterize Tempranillo in Spain.
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Likes chalky soil and cool climate. Strawberry-scented and is quite low in acidity.
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Characterize Garnacha in Spain.
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Most widely planted black grape in Spain. High in alcohol.
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Characterize Graciano in Spain.
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Adds powerful aromas, body, and tannin to help wine age.
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Characterize Carinena in Spain.
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High in acidity, tannin, and color.
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Characterize Monastrell in Spain.
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Mourvedre. Very dark, powerful, spicy.
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Characterize Macabeo in Spain.
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Whites with good fruit and acidity.
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Characterize Malvasia in Spain.
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Full-bodied heavy whites.
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Characterize Albarino in Spain.
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Light, crisp, aromatic whites
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Discuss use of international varietals in Spain.
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Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon are common. Sometimes appear as blends with local varieties. Can add character and give recognizable term on label.
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What are the main regions of Spain?
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Upper Ebro, Catalunya, Duero Valley, North West (Galicia), Levant, Meseta.
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What are the main regions of The Upper Ebro?
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Rioja, Navarra, Somontono, Carinera
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Describe Rioja.
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Mountains on three sides give region protection. Influence from Bordeaux growers and winemakers. With development of brands, move away from wood aging to longer bottle aging.
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What are the aging requirements in Rioja?
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Crianza red must spend a min. of 12 months in cask.
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What are the main grapes of Rioja?
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Tempranillo with Graciano and Mazuela for expensive reds; Garnacha for less expensive young wines and roses; Viura and Malvasia for whites (with Garnacha Blanca)
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What are the areas of Rioja?
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Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja
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Describe Rioja Alavesa.
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Climate influenced by Atlantic. Cool. Highest rainfall. Very chalky soils. Wines lightest of all three regions but must finesse. Tempranillo most prominent.
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Describe Rioja Alta.
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Soils of mostly clay, with high proportion of iron. Clay better for whites of Viura. Iron-rich soil better for reds from Tempranillo. Also alluvial soil for Malvasia. Warmer and drier climate than Alavesa but still maritime.
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Describe Rioja Baja.
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Continental climate with hotter summers and more severe winters. Soils mostly clay. Garnacha dominant grape. Mostly vino joven.
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Describe the traditional styles of Rioja.
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Long periods of oak-aging with aromas of meat and caramel with sweet, soft strawberry fruit. Relatively pale brick-red in color with browning at rim. White wines aged in American oak and had a deep golden color with savory, nutty flavors. Were deliberately oxidized.
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Describe the modern styles of Rioja.
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Preserve fruit, generally darker, show more strawberry and plum fruit of Tempranillo. Less extended oxidative aging. Some Crianzas and Reservas show obvious oak with aromas of vanilla, coconut, and toast. Modern whites now often fermented at a lower temperature, stored in stainless steel, and bottled when young to preserve fruit.
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Describe the wines of Navarra.
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Mostly roses of Garnacha. Move toward producing red wines mostly of Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Some whites with Chardonnay and Moscatel.
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Describe the wines of Carinena and Catalayud.
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Hot continental climate with soils of reddish-brown limestone over loose rocky subsoil. Grenache is main variety. Most inexpensive or mid-priced.
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Describe the wines of Somontano.
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Cool climate with plenty of rain. Broad range of French varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir. Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer. Modern wines sold under varietal names. More whites seem than reds. Traditional reds and roses from local varieties are now less common.
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What are the main regions of Catalunya?
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Catalunya, Costers del Segre, Terragona, Priorat, Penedes
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Describe the wines of Catalunya.
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Covers the whole province of Catalyna. Heartland of Cava production but still wines also made.
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What are the main grapes of Cava?
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Parellada, Xarel-lo, Macabeo.
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Describe Penedes.
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Three climate zones. Hottest on coastal plain with Mediterranean climate - reds from Garnacha and Monastrell. Inland there is a temperate climate which produces white wines, mainly for Cava production. Further into hills is a cool climate which is good for international varieties of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Noir.
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Describe the traditional styles of Penedes.
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Powerful oak-aged wines from Garnacha and Monestrell. White wines from Cava grapes.
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Describe the modern styles of Penedes.
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International varieties added. Plantings of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir
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Describe Costers del Segre.
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Continental with low rainfall. Irrigation used. Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Chardonnay.
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Describe Tarragona.
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Sweet dessert wines in coastal plain. Reds with Grenache, Carinena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir in hills.
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Describe Priorat.
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Craggy hills Soil known as llicorella - layers of red slate with particles of mica that reflect heat.
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Describe the traditional styles of Priorat.
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Alcoholic red wine with old Ganacha and Carinena wines. With long periods in oak. Sometimes used solera with rancio aromas.
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Describe the modern styles of Priorat.
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Modern wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir with Garnacha and Carinena. Bramble fruit with flavors of new oak; with powerful tannins and massive fruit extract.
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Describe the Duero Valley.
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Continental climate which can be harsh. Altitude gives cool nights; long, dry ripening season.
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What are the main regions of the Duero Valley.
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Rueda, Ribera del Duero, Toro
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Describe Toro.
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Mostly Tempranillo. High in alcohol. More full bodied and richer than Riojas but without aging potential. Younger wines made mostly of Garnacha.
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Describe Rueda.
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Past: sherry-style vinos generosas. Chalky soil and continental climate. Mostly Verdejo with Sauvignon Blanc and Viura. Crisp and light with aromas of peaches and melons.
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Describe Ribera del Duero.
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High altitude and limestone rich soils. Tempranillo with thicker, darker skins and higher acidity levels than Rioja (darker, more powerful tannins, dark blackberry and plum). Also plantings of Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec along with the Tempranillo and Garnacha).
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What are the main regions of the North West of Spain (Galicia)?
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Rias Baixas, Bierzo
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Describe Rias Baixas.
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Albarino is dominate grape. Peachy with high acidity, light body, sometimes with hint of carbon dioxide. Ideal for seafood.
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Describe Bierzo.
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Cool region sheltered by mountains. Red wines of Mencia light in body, tannin and alcohol with herbaceous notes.
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What are the main regions of the Levant?
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Valencia, Jumilla
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Describe Valencia.
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Mostly red and white table wines. Mostly now Tempranillo and Macabeo.
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Describe Jumilla.
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Monastrell dominates. Deep black; full bodied, high alcohol with black fruit aromas and hints of meat or liquorice.
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What are the main regions of the Meseta?
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La Mancha, Valdepenas
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Describe La Mancha.
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Central plateau. Home to Airen. Hot, dry, continental climate. Vines are planted far apart and close to ground. (Leaf canopy protects fruit and cools ground). Irrigation permitted. Grapes picked earlier for white wines for lower alcohol and fresh acidity. Now more Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Most wines no higher than Vino de la Tierra because plant international varieties.
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Describe Valdepenas.
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"Valley of the stones". Mainly red from Tempranillo with some Airen added. Tradition is to age in American oak but some young wines made with carbonic maceration.
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Describe the climate of Portugal.
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Influence from Atlantic giving a maritime climate with warm summers and cool, wet winters. Inland areas with continental climate.
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How are wines classified in Portugal?
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DOC (AOC), IRP (VDQS), Vinho Regional (Vin de Pays), Vinho Mesa (Table Wine)
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What does Reserva mean in Portugal?
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Must come from a single vintage, stated on the label, must have passed tasting panel. Must be DOC wine with higher percentage of natural alcohol.
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What does Garrafeira mean in Portugal?
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Not just for DOC wines. Meets all parameters for Reserva. Red wine must be aged for at least .two years in cask with a further year in the bottle. Whites must spend at least 6 months in cask and 6 months in bottle
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What are the main regions in Northern Portugal?
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Vinho Verde, Douro, Dao, Bairrada.
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Describe Vinho Verde.
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Warm in summer. Rainfall mostly in winter and spring. Cold and rainy winters. Granite base with sandy to sandy loan soils - high in acidity and poor in phosphorous. Trellised vines traditionally, now more spur-pruned VSP with high fruiting zones to create airflow.
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What are the main varieties of Vinho Verde?
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Whites of Loureiro, Arinto, Paderna. Also Vinho Verde Alvarinho.
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Describe Douro.
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Mostly Port wines. Red wines with great fruit and structure. Whites, from high altitude vineyards, with fresh fruit and crisp acidity.
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What are the main varieties of Douro?
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Reds from Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinto Cao.
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Describe Dao.
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Sheltered by mountains, valleys with vines planted on gentler hills and slopes. Granite soil. Cold and rainy in winter with hot, dry summers.
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What are the grapes of Dao?
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Jaen, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz. Reds that are ruby colored with delicate ripe red fruit aromas, soft tannins, nice acidity. Whites with medium body and fresh lively acidity - with Encruzado.
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Describe Bairrada.
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Heavy clay and limestone. Mild climate with rainy winters and warm summers (maritime).
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What are the main varieties of Bairrada?
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Soft and fruity reds. Baga is grape of region - along with Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Merlot, Pinot Noir. Also known for sparkling wines and still whites from Bical.
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What are the main regions of Southern Portugal?
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Ribatejo, Alentejo
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Describe Ribatejo.
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Alluvial river plains. High yields. Fernao Pires for neutral, dry whites. Exports mainly reds from Castelao Frances and international varieties (crisp acidity, raspberry fruit, firm tannins)
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Describe Alentejo.
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Continental and maritime, low rainfall and very hot summers. Loam mixed with granite and schist. Typically red blends of Aragonez, Trincadeora, Castelao. When young are deep in color, intense ripe fruit, with soft tannins and full body.
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What are Vinhos Regionais?
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Mainly in Alentejano. Experiments with foreign varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah into blends.
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What are Vinhos de Mesa?
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Sparkling, still, sweet, or dry. Simple table wines. Meet needs of export markets.
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