Wset Level 3 - Spain

Spain's climate north & north-west coast: moderate maritime climate dominated by Atlantic weather systems east coast: warm Mediterranean climate Meseta Central: hot continental climate Spain's key grape varieties black: Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Monastrell (also grown are Graciano, Carinena, Mazuelo, and Mencia) white: Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino (also grown are Airen, Macabeo, Paralleda, Xarel-lo) internation: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay 00:21 01:14 Spanish wine laws PDO wines: Dominacion de Origen Protegida (DOP) -Denominacion de Origen (DO) -Denominacion de Origen Calificada/Qualificada (DOCa/DOQ) Vinos de Pago (VP) applies to a small number of single estates with high reputations; approved estates must only use their grapes which must be vinified and matured on their estate PGI wines: Vino de la Tierra (VdIT) Joven, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva Spanish wine ageing requirements red wine: Joven - 0 ageing required Crianza - 24 months ageing, 6 months in oak Reserva - 36 months ageing, 12 months in oak Gran Reserva - 60 months ageing, 18 months in oak white wine: Joven - 0 ageing required Crianza - 18 months ageing, 6 months in oak Reserva - 24 months ageing, 6 months in oak Gran Reserva - 48 months ageing, 6 months in oak Spanish wine regions The Upper Ebro Catalunya The Duero Valley The North West The Levante Castilla-La Mancha The Upper Ebro Rioja DOCa -Tempranillo most widely planted -3 subregions: Rioja Alavesa produces light, finessed wines; Rioja Alta; Rioja Baja - where Garnacha grows best -oak maturation has a defining role in Rioja Navarra -Tempranillo most widely planted -often blended with other Rioja varieties as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, increasingly -Garnacha grapes are used for rose Carinena and Calatayud -neighbouring DOs -warm continental climates and low rainfall -Garnacha is the main grape variety -higher quality wines tend to be made from old vine Garnacha and Carinena Catalunya has generic DO that covers the entire region where Cava is made Penedes -3 distinct climate zones: coastal plain is Mediterranean; inland is slightly cooler but still warm; further into the hills the climate is moderate -most planted white grapes are those used for Cava -also planted are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer -most important black grapes are: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo (Ull de Llbere), and Pinot Noir Priorat DOQ -summers are long, hot and dry, and annual rainfall is very low -ideal for Garnacha and Carinena -llicorella soils - layers of red slate -complex, intense wines with high price tags -new French oak is used -white and rose can be made but are rarely seen The Duero Valley Ribera del Duero -short, hot and dry summers and very cold winters -vineyards planted at high altitudes -DO for red and rose wine only -Tempranillo is the dominant grape Toro -predominantly made from Tempranillo -in Joven wines there is generally a proportion of Garnacha -Reservas and Gran Reservas can be exceptionally deeply coloured and tannic when young and have the ability to age well -rose and white wines are made in small quantities Rueda -focuses on white wine production -continental climate with cool summer nights ideal for Verdejo -Sauvignon Blanc is also grown -both can be made and labelled varietally -blended whites must use at least 50% Verdejo The North West cooler and wetter than the rest of Spain Spain's best white wines - most celebrated is Albarino from Rias Baixas DO Rias Baixas -moderate, damp climate -vines are trained on pergolas to encourage air circulation -most Albarinos are made in a refreshing unoaked style taking advantage of the grapes naturally high acidity and ripe stonefruit flavours Bierzo -predominantly red wine DO - key grape is Mencia, which can produce elegant red wines with naturally high acidity and red fruit aromas The Levante Valencia -large, spread-out DO that is a source of value-for-money wines -Monastrell is the most widely planted red grape -white grape plantings are dominated by Merseguera -also significant plantings of Muscat of Alexandria to produce Moscatel de Valencia, a sweet fortified wine Jumilla and Yecla -hot, arid climates perfect for the dominant grape variety Monastrell -majority of wines are fruity and youthful