Spain Study Guide Flashcards Preview

NEWA - CMS Master Sommelier Study > Spain Study Guide > Flashcards

Flashcards in Spain Study Guide Deck (204)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Where did Spain’s viticultural start? When?

A

Gadir (modern Cádiz) in Andalucía around 1100BCE

2
Q

What style of wine was popular with the English market from the end of the 15th century onward and were possibly the first vinous export to North America?

A

Sherry

3
Q

17th century Spain banned the production of wine in its colonies at the time to protect Spanish exports like what?

A

Málaga and Sherry

4
Q

What even resulted in the massive influx of French winemakers and merchants that boosted the stagnant viticulture in Spain?

A

The arrival of oidium and phylloxera in France during the 1850s and 1860s

5
Q

What techniques and ideas did Bordeaux-trained Marqués de Riscal and Marqués de Murrieta return to Rioja with during the 1850s and 1860s?

A

Brought grape varieties and lessons from the Médoc, including barrique aging (called barricas in Spain) and estate bottling (performed at their newly constructed bodegas)

6
Q

What are barriques called in Spain?

A

barricas

7
Q

What is the traditional barrel used in Rioja? Why is this used?

A

Quercus alba (American oak) rather than French. Used due to Spain’s history of transatlantic colonial trade.

8
Q

What are 5 top producers in Rioja?

A
López de Heredia
La Rioja Alta
CVNE
Berceo
Remelluri
Ysios
Marqués de Murrieta
9
Q

Spanish traditional sparkling wine was born in the second half of the 19th century. What was it called at its inception? What is it called now? What town is its birthplace?

A

Was called champaña
Now called Cava
San Sadurní d’Anoia was the birthplace

10
Q

What are the governing bodies called in Spain that regulate the production of wine?

A

Consejos Reguladores

11
Q

What were the first 3 wine regions to receive Consejos Reguladores in Spain?

A

Rioja, Jerez, Málaga

12
Q

For how long did Spain remain a facist country following WWII? What effect did this have on the progress as a winemaking country?

A

Until 1975 with the death of Francisco Franco. Had an adverse effect on winemaking progress as the dictator hindered progress of winemakers through the suppression of economic freedom.

13
Q

When did stainless steel and temperature-controlled fermentation arrive to Spain (Catalonia)? Who is responsible for its introduction?

A

1960s by Miguel Torres

14
Q

When were Denominación de Origen regulations get finally approved?

A

1970

15
Q

What are the 4 designations of DOP quality in Spain?

A

Denominación de Origien Calificada (DOCa)
Denominación de Origen (DO)
Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VCIG)
Vino de Pago (VP)

16
Q

What is the IGP level of quality called in Spain?

A

Vino de la Tierra (VdlT)

17
Q

What is the subset of DO that is considered a superior appellation to the basic DO? How does an estate qualify for this?

A

DO Pago (Vinos de Pago)

An estate within an existing DO must surpass the basic DO requirements typically through lowered yields, and other measures suggestive of quality winemaking.

18
Q

How does an estate apply for DO Pago status?

A

The estate should show international critical praise and a decade’s worth of quality production. They must additionally produce wine under regulations that surpass the basic DO requirements, typically through lowered yields, and other measures suggestive of quality winemaking.

19
Q

Why are there not many DO Pagos in Rioja or Ribera del Duero?

A

Most of the estates have nothing to gain from distancing themselves from a well-known brand

20
Q

Aging designations for Spanish wine are rapidly disappearing from labels in a new, forward-looking Spain that perceives these terms as old-fashioned but they still exist. What are the aging requirements for Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva for Spanish wines (excluding Rioja and Ribera del Duero)?

A

Crianza:
Red: 2 years (including 6 months in cask)
White/Rosado: 18 months (6 months in cask)

Reserva
Red: 3 years (1 year in cask)
White/Rosado: 2 years (6 months in cask)

Gran Reserva
Red: 5 years (18 months in cask)
White/Rosado: 4 years (6 months in cask)

21
Q

What 3 aging designations exist beyond Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva for DOP wines in Spain? What are their requirements?

A

Noble:
18 months aging in a cask of less than 600L or bottle

Añejo:
24 months aging in a cask of less than 600L or bottle

Viejo:
36 months aging, demonstrates marked oxidative character.

22
Q

What are the 3 autonomías of North Central Spain?

A

Navarra
La Rioja
Aragón

23
Q

What are the two mountain ranges to the northwest and northeast respectively that shelter and provide rain shadows for La Rioja, Navarra, and Aragón?

A

Cantabrian Mountains in the NW

Pyrenees Mountains in the NE

24
Q

What is the main river that flow through Rioja DOCa? Where do its headwaters flow from?

A

Ebro

Flows from the Cantabrian Mountains

25
Q

When was Rioja given DOCa status?

A

1991

26
Q

How is Rioja similar to many of the other major wine growing regions of Europe in regards to viticultural foundation?

A

it was guided by Christian monks during the Middle Ages

27
Q

What is considered the classic style of Rioja in regards to expression?

A

soft, with muted red fruit, firm acidity and the unmistakable oak aromas of dill, vanilla, and cedar

28
Q

What dichotomy of style exists for the red and white wines of Rioja? Describe them.

A

Traditional vs Modern

Red wines are seeing more extraction, riper and darker fruit as well as more use of New French oak for modern wines.

White wines are being produced in clean, fruity modern styles along side the traditional wood-toned and oxidative, textural traditional style.

29
Q

What is the main red grape of Rioja an what are its traditional blending partners? What min percentage must these grapes combine in the blend? What if they’re destemmed? What grapes may make up the remainder?

A

Tempranillo is the main red grape

Tempranillo plus Mazuelo (Carignan), Graciant, and Garnacha along with Maturana Tinta comprise a minimum 85% of the red Rioja blend. 95% if destemmed.

Experimental grapes may make up the remainder including Cabernet Sauvignon

30
Q

Are Rioja white wines dry or off-dry in style?

A

Dry mostly but off-dry expressions do exist.

31
Q

What is the most important grape for Rioja white wines? What is it known elsewhere?

A

Viura, known elsewhere as Macabéo

32
Q

In addition to Viura (Macabéo), what other 6 grapes may be blended for Rioja Blanco? What 4 grapes may account for more than 50% of the blend?

A
Garnacha Blanca
Malvasía Riojano
Maturana Blanca
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Verdejo

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viura, and Verdejo are the only grapes that may account for more than 50% of white blends.

33
Q

What is the min % of red grapes that must be used in Rioja rosado?

A

min 25%

34
Q

What are the aging requirements for Rioja Tinto Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva?

A
Crianza:
2 years (1 year in oak)
Reserva:
3 years (1 year in oak)
Gran Reserva:
5 years (2 years in oak, 2 years in bottle)
35
Q

What is the size of oak that must be used for the aging of Rioja crianza, reserva, and gran reserva designations? What is the barrel called?

A

225L barrica

36
Q

Rioja Blanco and Rosado all require the same amount of time in oak, but the total time of aging varies for each? What are the aging requirements for crianza, reserva, and gran reserva?

A

Crianza:
2 years (6 months in cask)
remainder of time may be in bottle, oak, or stainless steel

Reserva:
2 years (6 months in cask)
remainder of time is same for Crianza

Gran Reserva:
4 years (6 months in cask)
remainder of time may be in oak or bottle

37
Q

What are the two main towns of Rioja?

A

Haro in the NW and Alfaro in the SE

38
Q

What are the 3 climatically distinct subzones of Rioja? Which is located in Basque country?

A

Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja)

Alavesa is located in Basque Country

39
Q

What style of Tempranillo is made in Rioja Alavesa? What fermentation technique is common for these wines?

A

Vino joven is a major style here and is meant for early consumption.

Carbonic maceration is commonplace here

40
Q

What is the smallest and northernmost sub zone of Rioja?

A

Rioja Alavesa

41
Q

What sub zone is responsible for Rioja’s most classic, age worthy, Tempranillo, Mazuelo, and Graciano?

A

Rioja Alta

42
Q

What soil structure do Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa share? What is the different soil structure of Rioja Oriental?

A

Alta and Alavesa share soils with a high proportion of calcareous clay.

Rioja Oriental has more alluvial soils and ferrous-rich clays.

43
Q

What is the hottest sub zone of Rioja?

A

Rioja Oriental

44
Q

What sub zone of Rioja is responsible for the largest plantings of Garnacha?

A

Rioja Oriental

45
Q

Many producers in Rioja traditionally blend grapes sourced from all three subzones. What do the grapes of each sub zone contribute to the blend?

A

Rioja Alavesa:
freshness

Rioja Alta:
acidity and structure

Rioja Oriental:
extract and alcoholic warmth

46
Q

What three single vineyards does López de Heredia produce? What fourth vineyard do they own but produce under the Viña Gravonia bottling?

A

Viña Bosconia
Viña Tondonia
Viña Cubillo

Viña Zaconia is bottled as Viña Gravonia

47
Q

What style of wine has Navarra long been famous for? What percent of total production is devoted to this style today?

A

Rosado (rosé)

25% of production is devoted to this style today

48
Q

What are the two main red grapes of Navarra? What International varieties are on the rise here?

A

Garnacha and Tempranillo are the main grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir are on the rise here.

49
Q

What are the 5 subzones of Navarra?

A
Valdizarbe
Baja Montaña
Tierra Estella
Ribera Alta
Ribera Baja
50
Q

What are the 3 DO Pagos of Navarra? What subzones is each located in?

A
Bodegas Otazu (Valdizarbe)
Prado Irache (Tierra Estella)
Señorío de Arínzano (Tierra Estella)
51
Q

What are the 4 autonomías of Aragon? Which three use Garnacha as the main grape red grape? Which produces wine mostly from indigenous grapes? Which red grape and white grape are the star there?

A

Campo de Borja DO
Calatayud DO
Cariñena DO
Somontano DO

Camp do Borja, Cariñena, and Calatayud use Garnacha as the primary red grape.

Somontano produces from indigenous grapes. Alcañon for white and Parraleta for red.

52
Q

What are the 4 autonomías of “Green Spain”?

A

Galicia
Asturias
Cantabria
País Vasco

53
Q

What is the name of the coastline Galicia occupies?

A

Costa Verde

54
Q

What are estuaries called in Galicia?

A

rías

55
Q

What style of wine does the cooler maritime climate of Galicia lend itself to?

A

crisp, refreshing white wines

56
Q

What are the 5 DOs of Galicia?

A
Rías Baixas
Ribeiro
Valdeorras
Ribeira Sacra
Monterrei
57
Q

What does Rías Baixas mean in Galician?

A

low estuaries

58
Q

What are the 5 subzones of Rías Baixas?

A
Val do Salnés
Ribeira do Ulla
Soutomaior
O Rosal
Condado do Tea
59
Q

What are the grapes present in a bottle of Rías Baixas Albariño? What if the bottle is labeled with one of the smaller northern subzones of Val do Salnés or Ribeira do Ulla? What if the wines are labeled with the subzones of O Rosal and Condado do Tea in the south?

A

100% Albariño for Rías Baixas Albariño

min 70% of Albariño, Loureiro, Treixadura, and Caiño Blanco for Val do Salnés or Ribeira do Ulla

min 70% of Albariño and Loureiro in O Rosal
min 70% of Albariño and Treixadura in Condado do Tea

60
Q

Do producers in Rías Baixas subject wines to malo or employ barrica aging? How is this indicated?

A

Yes

Indicated on label as Blanco Barrica if aged in barrica. Malo is not indicated on the label but most barrica wines are subjected to this

61
Q

What is the classic expression of Albariño from Rías Baixas generally speaking?

A

stone and citrus fruits, with the suggestion of bubble gum and an undercurrent of minerality

62
Q

What are the 3 red grapes for the production of red wine in Rías Baixas?

A

Caiño
Espadeiro
Mencía

63
Q

What percent of Rías Baixas’ total production is devoted to white wine production more specifically Albariño?

A

90%

64
Q

What river is Ribeiro DO located along?

A

Miño River

65
Q

What are the star red and white grapes respectively in Ribeiro?

A

Caiño for red wine

Treixadura for white wine

66
Q

What is the name of the local die grape wine specialty of Ribeiro DO?

A

Viña Tostado

67
Q

What are the 5 subregions of Ribeira Sacra DO?

A
Amandi
Chantada
Riberas do Sil
Riberas do Miño
Quiroga-Bibei
68
Q

The red wines of Ribeira Sacra DO are based principally on what grape? What two white grapes are the principal white grapes of Ribeira Sacra?

A

Mencía for red

Treixadura and Godello for white wine

69
Q

What is Galicia’s easternmost DO? What styles are produced here? What is the star grape here?

A

Valdeorras DO

red, white, and rosé

Godello is the star grape here

70
Q

What is the southernmost DO in Galicia?

A

Monterrei

71
Q

What are the 3 DOs of País Vasco? What styles are produced in all three?

A

Getariako Txakolina DO
Bizkaiko Txakolina DO
Arabarko Txakolina DO

red, white, and rosé are produced in all three

72
Q

What are the star local white and red grapes respectively in País Vasco? Which makes up 95% of vineyard area in the autonomía?

A
Ondarrabi Zuri / Hondarribi Zuri (white)
Ondarrabi Beltza (red)

Ondarrabi Zuri makes up 95% of vineyard acreage here

73
Q

What are the rare rosado wines of País Vasco known as?Are they single varietal or a blend of the two permitted grapes?

A

Ojo de Gallo

Usually a blend

74
Q

What is the perfect pairing for Txakolina?

A

Oily seafood

75
Q

What is Spain’s largest autonomía and what is its nickname?

A

Castilla y León

“The land of castles”

76
Q

What is the climate of Castilla y León classified as? What two oceans moderate it slightly?

A

Arid, continental climate with extreme highs and lows that are slightly moderated by the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea

77
Q

What is the name of the plateau that defines the landscape of Castilla y León?

A

Meseta Central

78
Q

What is the main river that flows through the center of Castilla y León? What direction does it flow and to what country? What is it called in that country?

A

Duero River

Flows westward into Portugal where it is known as the Douro River

79
Q

What 4 DOs are located along the Duero River in Castilla y León? What are the other 4 DOs?

A

Flows from east to west past Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Toro, Tierra del Vino de Zamora, and finally Arribes.

Arlanza, Cigales, Tierra de León, and Bierzo are the other 4 DOs

80
Q

What two DOs of Castilla y León are located in the mountainous northwestern corner of the autonomía? Which of these two DOs borders Valdeorras in Galicia?

A

Tierra de León and Bierzo

Bierzo borders Valdeorras in Galicia

81
Q

What is the main river in Bierzo? Main grape? What is the min % of it required in red and rosé wines respectively?

A

Sil River

Mencía is the main grape for red wines.
Min 70% in reds. Min 50% in rosés

82
Q

Who makes “Corullón”? Who collaborated to establish this domaine? When was this? What is the grape and what soil type defines its vineyards?

A

Descendientes de José Palacios

Collaboration started in 1999 by Alvaro Palacios and his nephew Ricardo

Old vine Mencía on schist soils.

83
Q

What are 3 top producers in Bierzo?

A

Descendientes de José Palacios
Domino de Tares
Pittacum

84
Q

What white grape dominates in Bierzo? What two grapes are the more quality wines made from?

A

Palomino dominates but the best wines are made from Godello and Doña Blanca

85
Q

What are the two star red grapes of Tierra de León in Castilla y León?

A

Mencía and the local Prieto Picudo

86
Q

What two towns are located in Ribera del Duero DO in Castilla y León?

A

Aranda de Duero and Peñafiel

87
Q

What has long been the flagship estate of Ribera del Duero? Who founded this estate? When?

A

Vega Sicilia

Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves in 1864

88
Q

What grapes were planted alongside Tinto del País (Tempranillo) by Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves? What was production here originally geared toward?

A

Bordeaux varietals and Pinot

Originally production was geared towards Brandy production

89
Q

What winemaker garnered international attention at the 1929 Barcelona World’s Fair for his wines from Ribera del Duero? What was the wine estate, what was the wine, and what were the vintages?

A

Domingo Txomin

Vega Sicilia and it was the 1917 and 1918 vintages of Único, Vega Sicilia’s benchmark wine.

90
Q

What are the main grapes of Vega Sicilia Unico? How long are these wines aged prior to release? What are the aging vessels used?

A

Tempranillo, known as Tinto Fino and Tinto del País combined with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Aged in American and French oak barrels often for a decade or more until the winery deems the wine ready to release.

91
Q

When did Ribera del Duero gain DO status? Under what designation was Vega Sicilia prior to that?

A

1982

vino de mesa

92
Q

What are 5 quality producers in Ribera del Duero?

A
Vega Sicilia
Pesquera
Dominio de Pingus
Aalto
Bodegas Valduero
93
Q

Are white wines produced in Ribera del Duero DO?

A

No, only red and rosado

94
Q

What indigenous grape is often used in rosado wines produced in Ribera del Duero?

A

Albillo

95
Q

What is the only difference regarding the red wine designations of crianza, reserva, and gran reserva regarding Ribera del Duero when compared to Rioja?

A

All are the same except for the Gran Reserva level which requires 3 years in bottle instead of two as in Rioja.

96
Q

Like Rioja, may rosado be produced across all three aging designations in Ribera del Duero? What are most rosados released as?

A

No, only Crianza is permitted for Rosado. It may not be bottled Reserva and Gran Reserva

Most rosado is released as Vino Joven however

97
Q

What designation must red and rosé wines be released under in Ribera del Duero DO if they don’t meet the aging requirements for Crianza?

A

vino joven

98
Q

When was Rueda designated as DO? How many years before Ribera del Duero?

A

1980

two years before Ribera del Duero

99
Q

What is the star white grape of Rueda DO? What is the knock on this grape?

A

Verdejo

Easily prone to oxidation

100
Q

White wines labels ad Rueda DO require what min % of what grape? What is the most common blending partner?

A

min 50% of Verdejo

Viura (Macabeo) is the most common blending partner

101
Q

What two white grapes may be bottled varietally in Rueda as long as they are present at a min 85% in the bottle?

A

Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc

102
Q

Rueda Espumoso requires a min % of what grape? What styles is it produced in?

A

min 85% Verdejo

produced in both rosado and white styles

103
Q

What is the traditional dry, fortified, oxidized wine of Rueda?

A

Dorado

104
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Toro?

A

Red, white, and rosé

105
Q

What is the min % required of Tempranillo in red wines of Toro? What is the grape called there?

A

min 75% Tinta de Toro

106
Q

What are the main white grapes of Toro? Rosado?

A

Verdejo and Malvasia for whites

Tinta de Toro and Garnacha for rosados produced by the saignée method.

107
Q

What are 3 top producers in Toro? Which is owned by Vega Sicilia?

A

Numanthia-Termes
Fariña
Bodegas Pintia (Vega Sicilia)

108
Q

What is the name of Vega Sicilia’s estate in Toro?

A

Bodegas Pintia

109
Q

What is the name of Pesquera’s estate in Tierra del Vino de Zamora in Castilla y León? Who owns both Pesquera and this estate?

A

Dehesa la Granja

Owned by Alejándro Fernández

110
Q

What styles are produced in Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO in Castilla y León? What is the min% of Tempranillo for the reds?

A

Red, white, and rosado

min 75% Tempranillo required in reds

111
Q

What is the star indigenous grape of Arribes DO? What grape is it blended with for reds here? What are the two star white grapes here?

A

Rufete blended with Tempranillo for reds

Verdejo, Malvasia, and Albilla for whites

112
Q

What style of wine is Cigales most reputable for? What are the main grapes that go into this style and the reds from here?

A

Rosado and nuevo rosado from Garnacha Tinta and Tinto del Pais (Tempranillo)

113
Q

What city is located south of Cigales DO?

A

Valladolid

114
Q

What DO north of Ribera del Duero is one of Spain’s newest (2007) and producing red and white wine from a complement of Douro Valley and Bordeaux varieties?

A

Arlanza DO

115
Q

What autonomía is the face of modern winemaking and technological innovation in Spain?

A

Catalonia

116
Q

What are the 2 DOCas in Spain? Which was first and which followed?

A

Rioja and Priorat

Rioja was the first

117
Q

Where did Priorat get its name?

A

From the Carthusian monster called Priorato de Scala Dei which is said to be the site of a boy’s vision of angels ascending to heaven

118
Q

What are the styles of wine made in Priorat DOCa/DOQ? What is the main style and the main grapes that contribute to it? What other grapes are blended in?

A

Red, white, and rosé

Garnacha is the king and Cariñena is blended in along with Spanish and French varietals.

119
Q

What soil type characterizes the best vineyard sites in Priorat? What is it composed of?

A

Llicorella, a mix of black slate and quartzite

120
Q

Who started the major movement of quality wine in 1979 in Priorat? Who did this winemaker work for? What grapes did he plant? Around what town did this happen?

A

René Barbier, winemaker for Alvaro Palacios

planted a mix of local and French vines in the llicorella soil of Gratallops

121
Q

What are the 5 different labels that Barbier and Palacio’s cooperative bottled their single red wine under in 1989? (5 original Clos wines of Priorat) Which is owned by Palacios? Which one was owned by Barbier?

A
Clos Mogador (Barbier's)
Clos Martinet
Clos Dofi (Palacio's)
Clos Erasmus
Clos de l'Obac
122
Q

What was the last vintage of Barbier and Palacio’s cooperative before they split into separate production? What are the 5 Clos producers known by as now?

A

1991

Clos Mogador
Alvaro Palacios (Clos Dofi)
Clos Erasmus
Costers del Siurana (Clos de L'Obac)
Mas Martinet (Clos Martinet)
123
Q

Other than the 5 Clos producers in Priorat what are two quality producers alongside them?

A

Vall Llach

Scala Dei

124
Q

What aging vessel is commonly used in Priorat?

A

French barrique

125
Q

What are 5 Vino de Pueblo villages in Priorat? What does this designation indicate?

A
Gratallops
Escaladei
Porrera
Paboleda
La Morera de Montsant
126
Q

Which DO is Priorat almost completely surrounded by? Up until 2002 what was this DO a sub zone of?

A

Monsant DO

Formerly a sub zone of Tarragona

127
Q

What are the dominant grapes for Monsant DO?

A

Garnacha and Cariñena

128
Q

What DO is said to produce wines are said to be a valuable alternative to Priorat DOCa/DOQ?

A

Monsant DO

129
Q

Much of Tarragona DO was geared towards the production of what two styles of wine? What are plantings geared more toward today?

A

Traditionally were geared towards the production of fortified rancio and mistela.

Today much of the vineyard area has been converted to white varieties for Cava, but these old styles are still made in small quantities.

130
Q

What represents the most substantial market for Tarragona DO wines?

A

Communion wines for the church

131
Q

What are the 11 DOs and DOQs of Catalonia?

A
Cataluña DO
Priorat DOQ
Montsant DO
Tarragona DO
Terra Alta DO
Conca de Barberá DO
Costers del Segre DO
Alella DO
Empordà DO
Plà de Bagués DO
Penedès DO
132
Q

Who owns Raïmat Estate? What DO is this sub zone of the same name located in?

A

Manuel Raventós

Costers del Segre DO

133
Q

What are the 3 distinct altitude zones of Penedès DO?

A

Alt-Penedès
Medio-Penedès
Baix-Penedès

134
Q

What is the major white grape grown in the Alt-Penedès district of Penedès DO?

A

Parellada

135
Q

Although Cava DO is produced throughout Spain, what % of it is made in Penedès?

A

95%

136
Q

What are 3 main grapes authorized for the production of Cava DO? What are the other 6

A

Parellada
Xarel-lo
Macabéo

Chardonnay
Trepat
Pinot Noir
Garnacha Tinta
Monastrell (Mourvèdre)
Malvasia (Subirat)
137
Q

What is Tempranillo called in Catalonia? What district of Penedès does the grape thrive in? What styles of wine are produced here? What styles have these replaced?

A

Ull de Llebre

Grape thrives in Medio-Penedès

High alcohol red and rosado that have replaced the sweet fortified reds of the past

138
Q

What is the sweet fortified wine specialty of Baix-Penedès? What will insure its future survival?

A

Malvasia de Sitges

Received Slow Food “presidia” status

139
Q

When did José Raventós introduce sparkling wine to Spain? In what village was this? Within what district of Penedès is this?

A

1872 in San Sadurní d’Anoia

Located in Alt-Penedès

140
Q

What are the two largest producers of Cava in Penedès? Which is the largest producer of sparkling wine in the world?

A

Codorníu and Freixenet

Freixenet is the world’s largest producer of sparkling wine.

141
Q

What innovation did Catalonia introduce to Champagne?

A

gyropalette

142
Q

Cava has served as a model for Champagne in what regard?

A

Champagne has refined their dosage levels to those already in place in the Cava DO

143
Q

What are the aging requirements in regards to time on lees for basic Cava? Reserva? Gran Reserva? Cava de Paraje?

A

9 months for Cava
15 months for Cava Reserva
30 months for Cava Gran Reserva
36 months for Cava de Paraje

144
Q

What does every bottle of cava have on its cork?

A

4-pointed star

145
Q

Alella DO is known for contributing what grape to Cava production? What is it known there?

A

Xarel-lo known as Pansà Blanca

146
Q

Which Spanish DO borders Banyuls and Roussillon? What style from what grape is the DO focusing on?

A

Empordà

Rosado from Cariñena

147
Q

What DOs does Catalunya DO encompass and what does it allow in regards to production?

A

Encompasses all of the DOs within the autonomía and those wineries outside of DO limits.

Allows more freedom of blending and expression form a range of sites and authorized grapes.

148
Q

What are the two DO zones of the Balearic Islands? What culture do they identify with?

A

Pla i Llevant DO
Binissalem Mallorca DO

Identify with Catalan culture and are located off the coast of Catalonia

149
Q

What are two indigenous grapes grown in the Balearic Islands?

A

Manto Negro

Moll (Prensal Blanc)

150
Q

Which two autonomías comprise the Levant region of Spain? What are the DOs of each?

A

Valencia and Murcia

Valencia:
Alicante DO
Valencia DO
Utiel-Requena DO

Murcia:
Bullas DO
Jumilla DO
Yecla DO

151
Q

What style of wines is the main focus of Valencia DO? What is the star grape?

A

White wines produced from the Merseguera grape.

152
Q

What style of wine is Alicante DO known for? What is the specialty wine of this region? What style is it produced in? Grape? Aging requirements?

A

Dessert wines

Fondillón, a solera-style, oxidative dessert wine produced from overripe Monastrell (Mourvèdre) grapes aged for a minimum of ten years.

153
Q

How is Fondillón different from sherry in regards to style and taste?

A

Fondillón is not fortified and does carry the flavor of wood.

154
Q

What is the traditional style of Bobal produced in Utiel-Requena? What makes this style unique? What does this do for the resulting wine? What were these wines traditionally used for prior to the rising production of grape concentrate?

A

doble pasta is the traditional style of Bobal

it is a red wine that is macerated and fermented with twice the normal amount of grape skins and pulp resulting in a wine of intense concentration, tannin, and color.

Traditionally used for strengthening weaker blends.

155
Q

For how long was Jumilla phylloxera free? What was this due to? Prior to the louse’s arrival what was the region’s production geared toward? What did the louse’s arrival allow for producers to focus on following replanting? What is the main grape here?

A

Until the 1980s due to the sandy soils

Prior to this production was geared toward bulk wine.

After replanting of the vineyards producers refocused on quality and championed the thick-skinned Monastrell grape.

156
Q

What % of wines produced in Jumilla are red or rosé?

A

95%

157
Q

What grape occupies 80% of the vineyards in Jumilla? What other two grapes are commonly used for blending purposes here?

A

Monastrell

Garnacha and Petit Verdot

158
Q

What DO is Europe’s largest demarcated wine region?

A

La Mancha DO

159
Q

What is the synonym for Tempranillo in La Mancha?

A

Cencibel

160
Q

What are the two main grapes of La Mancha? Which commands the largest plantings for any white grape in the world?

A

Cencibel (Tempranillo)

Airén (commands largest plantings in world)

161
Q

What is the name of the DO Pago owned by the Marqués de Griñon estate? What DO is this within? What illegal practice did he adopt for making his modern, concentrated wines? What grape varietals does he champion? What were his wines designated prior to 2003 DO Pago recognition?

A

Dominio de Valdepusa
Located within Méntrida DO

Adopted drip irrigation for producing his wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah, and Merlot

His wines were designated as vino de mesa prior to 2003.

162
Q

What DO Pago does Manuel Manzaneque own in La Mancha?

A

Finca Élez

163
Q

What are the 8 Vinos de Pago of Castilla-La Mancha? What do all of these Vinos de Pagos have in common?

A
Dominio de Valdepusa
Finca Élez
Guijoso
Dejesa del Carrizal
Pago Florentino
Campo de la Guardia
Casa del Blanco
Pago Cazaldilla

All implement an international blend, in the pursuit of wines of “expression”

164
Q

Which of the 8 Vino de Pagos of Castilla-La Mancha has had the longest history of any there? Which two famed wine consultants have they enlisted?

A

Dominio de Valdepusa (Marqués de Griñon)

Both Michel Rolland and Émile Peynaud have been enlisted to consult

165
Q

What are the 8 DOs of Catilla-La Mancha?

A
Almansa DO
La Mancha DO
Manchuela DO
Mondéjar DO
Méntrida DO
Ribera del Júcar DO
Uclés DO
Valdepeñas DO
166
Q

What is the name of the teinturier grape that is the star grape of Almansa DO? What defines a teinturier grape?

A

Garnacha Tintorera

Teinturier grapes are defined by their red-pigmented juice

167
Q

What former sub zone of La Mancha was given its own DO in 2003?

A

Ribera del Júcar

168
Q

What is the star grape of Manchuela DO? What other DO features this as its star grape?

A

Bobal

Utiel-Requena is the other DO

169
Q

What DO is known as “valley of rocks” and is surrounded entirely by La Mancha DO? What are the two most planted grapes here?

A

Valdepeñas

Aíren (white) and Cencibel (red)

170
Q

What soil type is present at a high concentration in Valdepeñas? What characteristic does this soil type possess that is a boon here? What grape is planted on this soil type and makes the highest quality wine here? What two sectors of this DO are considered the best?

A

chalk bedrock which provides better water retention in the arid environment.

Cencibel is planted to this soil type and performs best here.

Los Llanos in the west
Las Aberturas in the north

171
Q

What 5 red varietals is Uclés DO focusing on? What other styles are made here?

A
Cencibel
Garnacha
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot 
Syrah

White wines, sweet/dulce wines, and sparkling wines are also produced.

172
Q

In Uclés, how old must red grape vines be before harvesting is permitted from them?

A

6 years

173
Q

What are the two main red grapes of Mondéjar DO? White grapes?

A

Cencibel (Tempranillo) and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds

Macabéo and Malvar for whites

174
Q

What are the 3 subzones of Vinos de Madrid DO?

A

San Martín de Valdeiglesias
Navalcarnero
Arganda

175
Q

What is Garnacha called in Madrid?

A

Negra de Madrid

176
Q

What are the 4 main grapes of Vinos de Madrid DO? (2 red, 2 white)

A

Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and Negra de Madrid (Garnacha)

Malvar and Aíren

177
Q

What is the sole DO of Extremadura?

A

Ribera del Guadiana DO

178
Q

What are the six subregions of Ribera Alta de Guadiana? Which is considered the most superior and occupies 80% of the DO?

A
Ribera Baja de Guadiana
Matanegra
Cañamero
Montánchez
Tierra de Barros (superior)
179
Q

Where does much of the annual product of Ribera del Guadiana DO go towards? Which two charcuteries is this DO better known for?

A

Distillation in Jerez

Jamón sérrano and jamón ibérico

180
Q

What is the only producer of Cava in southwestern Spain? What DO is it present within? Wha sub zone?

A

Bodegas Inviosa

Ribera del Guadiana DO within the Tierra de Barros

181
Q

What are the 5 DOs of Andalucía?

A
Málaga DO
Sierras de Málaga DO
Montilla-Moriles DO
Condado du Huelva DO
Jerez-Xérès-Sherry/Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO
182
Q

What bridges Africa and Europe in Andalucía and may have been the route by which man first crossed into Europe?

A

Straight of Gibraltar

183
Q

Who was responsible for transforming Andalucía into a hub of Mediterranean trade?

A

The Moors more specifically the Al-Andalus

184
Q

What was the city of Jerez known as in Arabic that may have likely given rise to the name “Sherry”?

A

Sherish

185
Q

What were the wines of Jerez, known as to English-speakers in the early days?

A

“sack”

186
Q

In the early days what other two DOs were sourced for stock to produce and keep up with the soaring demand for solera sherry wines?

A

Condado de Huelva and Montilla-Moriles

187
Q

What curtailed the Sherry industry in the late 1800s?

A

the arrival of phylloxera coupled with a rise in the production of “sherry styles” throughout Europe.

188
Q

When was Jerez granted DO status effectively helping the Sherry industry rebound?

A

1933

189
Q

What are the two DOs for Sherry production that share the same production boundaries?

A

Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO and Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda?

190
Q

Sherry wines must be shipped from one of three towns. What are they?

A

Jerez de la Frontera
Sanlúcar de Barrameda
El Puerto de Santa Maria

191
Q

What are the three main grapes for Sherry in descending order of importance?

A

Palomino (Listán)
Pedro Ximénez
Moscatel

192
Q

What style of sherry wine is championed by Montilla-Moriles DO but is banned from using this term on labels? What other styles are produced here? What is the principal grape here?

A

Amontillado

wines in the style of sherry- fino and oloroso are also produced here in both fortified and unfortified versions

Pedro Ximénez (PX)

193
Q

What DO is allowed to be sourced for Pedro Ximinéz grapes to be used in the production of Sherry due to the declining acreage of the grape in Jerez?

A

Montilla-Moriles

194
Q

Why is Montilla-Moriles able to produce unfortified fino style wines? What styles are fortified here?

A

The hot climate here allows for PX grapes to ripen and naturally ferment to 15.5% abv, which is the ideal strength for flor to survive and the post-fortification strength to make fino.

only olorosos and dessert styles are fortified

195
Q

What are the principal grapes of Málaga DO? What styles is production geared toward here?

A

Moscatel and PX

fortified and sweet wines are the focus here

196
Q

How were grapes classically treated prior to fermentation in Málaga? What is this process called? What are the grapes used for these wines and in what state are they in when used for production?

A

Classically dried on grass mats ( a process known as soleo) for a period of up to 20 days.

Moscatel and PX that are either treated to solo process or harvested overripe

197
Q

How is sweetness added to the wines of Málaga if it isn’t present naturally following fortification? How are these wines aged? What type of oak?

A

Sweetness is adjusted with arrope if sweetness isn’t present naturally.

These wines are then subjected to aging in solera made of American Oak.

198
Q

What are the 5 aging designations for Málaga DO wines?

A
Málaga Pálido (max 6 months)
Málaga (6-24 months)
Málaga Noble (2-3 years)
Málaga Añejo (3-5 years)
Málaga Transañejo (min 5 years)
199
Q

What Spanish islands are located off the coast of Africa nearly 700 miles from the Iberian Peninsula?

A

Canary Islands

200
Q

What are the 10 DO zones of the Canary Islands? Which 5 DOs are on Tenerife?

A
Tenerife:
Abona
Tacoronte-Acentejo
Valle de Güímar
Valle de la Orotava
Ycoden-Daute-Isora
El Hierro
Gran Canaria
La Gomera
La Palma
Lanzarote
201
Q

Along with Jumilla which other DOs resisted Phylloxera and unlike Jumilla are actually still Phylloxera-Free?

A

Canary Islands

202
Q

What are the 4 main red grapes of the Canary Islands?

A

Listán Negro
Negramoll (Tinta Negra)
Malvasia Rosada
Listen Prieto (Mission)

203
Q

What are 5 of the white grapes grown on the Canary Islands?

A
Malvasía
Listán Blanco (Palomino)
Moscatel
Gual
Forastera Blanca
204
Q

What style was traditionally produced in the Canary Islands? What style is the new focus?

A

Fortified wines were traditionally produced

Vino joven styles are now popular with the island’s tourists and are a strong focus today.

Decks in NEWA - CMS Master Sommelier Study Class (60):