The Wines of Spain
Spain's system of wine regulations that are similar to France's AOC laws. Appellations of origen have
been established throughout Spain that are classified in a hierarchy according to quality and strictness of
production techniques. Correct Answer: Denominaciones de Origen laws
The wing of Spanish government that oversees regulatory councils in each official region in order to
administer the DO laws. Correct Answer: consejo reguladore
"table wine" Very lax production standards and can be made from grapes grown anywhere in Spain.
Correct Answer: vino de mesa
"country wine" restrictions are stricter than vino de mesa and the grapes must be grown in one of a
handful of large recognized areas. Similar to the IGT classification in Italy, the wine should show
characteristics typical of its origin. Correct Answer: vino de la tierra
Wines with this designation must be produced from grapes grown within a specific recognized region.
Production laws are stricter with specific regulations regarding permissable grape varietals, yeilds, and
winemaking practices. Correct Answer: Vino de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica
Similar to the AOC category in France. This covers select areas throughout Spain and the wines produced
there have to be made following strict guidelines involving approved grapes, reduced yields, permissable
winemaking practices and aging minimums. Correct Answer: Denominacion de Origen (DO)
This designation refers to "qualified designations of origin" and is only granted to regions that have had
DO status for more than a decade along with a track record of hystorically top-quality wine. Correct
Answer: Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOCa)
"estate bottled" only awarded to single-estate wines that have a top-quality reputation. the wines must
be made and bottled on the wineries' estates. Less than ten estate wines in Spain bear this designation.
Correct Answer: vino de pago
Red Wine Correct Answer: Vinto tinto
White Wine Correct Answer: Vino blanco
Rose Wine Correct Answer: Vino rosado
Winery or Wine Estate Correct Answer: Bodega
Sweet Correct Answer: Dulce
A wine released young, usually with no oak aging. Correct Answer: Joven
Typically a wine aged for at least two years, several months of which must be in oak barrels, regulations
differ in various appellations. Correct Answer: crianza
, Typically a wine aged for at least five years, two of which must be in oak; regulations differ in various
appellations. Correct Answer: reserva
Quite often a special wine, typically aged for at least five years, two of which must be in oak; regulations
differ in various appellations. Correct Answer: gran reserva
The most famous of the wines produced in Spain. The first appellation to receive the DOCa status. Dry
continental climate. Most wines produced, are blends of defferent grapes, with their red wines focusing
mostly on the Tempranillo varietal. Correct Answer: Rioja (DOCa)
The western zone of the Rioja DOCa Correct Answer: Rioja Alta
The northern zone of the Rioja DOCa Correct Answer: Rioja Alavesa
The warmest of the three zones of the Rioja DOCa located to the east. Correct Answer: Rioja Baja
The second DOCa. Located on a large elevated plateau, the area is home to hot dry summers and harsh
winters. Soils are sparse in the region and yeilds limited. Wines are almost completely red, and are
known for their intense, concentrated, rich flavors of leather and dark fruit, and powerful structure.
Correct Answer: Ribera del Duero DOCa
Spain's most famous winery. Also, the winery that put Ribera del Duero on the map in the 1800's with its
legendary wines. Correct Answer: Vega Sicilia
A method of making sparkling wine in the Cava DO that was borrowed from champagne. Correct
Answer: metodo tradicional
Spain's most important sparkling wine. Climate conditions are often warm (mediterranean influence).
Grapes ripen to the levels that winemakers of champagne could only dream of. sparkling wines with
more body, less acidity, and riper fruit and citrus flavors. Grapes here are Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-
lo. Correct Answer: Cava DO
Known for its impressive whites. Located along the Atlantic coastline in NW Spain. The main grape in the
rocky, sloped vineyards of the appellation is Albarino. Wines made with 100% albarino are allowed to
put the varietal on the label. Correct Answer: Rías Baixas DO
Spain's only DOCa that does NOT focus on tempranillo. Intense red wines from old-vine Garnacha and
Carinena. Modern winemaking techniques, and aging in small french oak barrels. modern-style, dense,
dry reds. Correct Answer: Priorato DOCa
Home of the Tinto de Toro (tempranillo), rich concentrated red wine. Correct Answer: Toro DO
Region that is gaining prominence for its softer red wines produced from the indigenous Mencia grape.
Correct Answer: Bierzo DO
A DO that is completely dedicated to white wine production, mostly growing soft aromatic Verdejo
grape. Correct Answer: Rueda DO
Spain's system of wine regulations that are similar to France's AOC laws. Appellations of origen have
been established throughout Spain that are classified in a hierarchy according to quality and strictness of
production techniques. Correct Answer: Denominaciones de Origen laws
The wing of Spanish government that oversees regulatory councils in each official region in order to
administer the DO laws. Correct Answer: consejo reguladore
"table wine" Very lax production standards and can be made from grapes grown anywhere in Spain.
Correct Answer: vino de mesa
"country wine" restrictions are stricter than vino de mesa and the grapes must be grown in one of a
handful of large recognized areas. Similar to the IGT classification in Italy, the wine should show
characteristics typical of its origin. Correct Answer: vino de la tierra
Wines with this designation must be produced from grapes grown within a specific recognized region.
Production laws are stricter with specific regulations regarding permissable grape varietals, yeilds, and
winemaking practices. Correct Answer: Vino de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica
Similar to the AOC category in France. This covers select areas throughout Spain and the wines produced
there have to be made following strict guidelines involving approved grapes, reduced yields, permissable
winemaking practices and aging minimums. Correct Answer: Denominacion de Origen (DO)
This designation refers to "qualified designations of origin" and is only granted to regions that have had
DO status for more than a decade along with a track record of hystorically top-quality wine. Correct
Answer: Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOCa)
"estate bottled" only awarded to single-estate wines that have a top-quality reputation. the wines must
be made and bottled on the wineries' estates. Less than ten estate wines in Spain bear this designation.
Correct Answer: vino de pago
Red Wine Correct Answer: Vinto tinto
White Wine Correct Answer: Vino blanco
Rose Wine Correct Answer: Vino rosado
Winery or Wine Estate Correct Answer: Bodega
Sweet Correct Answer: Dulce
A wine released young, usually with no oak aging. Correct Answer: Joven
Typically a wine aged for at least two years, several months of which must be in oak barrels, regulations
differ in various appellations. Correct Answer: crianza
, Typically a wine aged for at least five years, two of which must be in oak; regulations differ in various
appellations. Correct Answer: reserva
Quite often a special wine, typically aged for at least five years, two of which must be in oak; regulations
differ in various appellations. Correct Answer: gran reserva
The most famous of the wines produced in Spain. The first appellation to receive the DOCa status. Dry
continental climate. Most wines produced, are blends of defferent grapes, with their red wines focusing
mostly on the Tempranillo varietal. Correct Answer: Rioja (DOCa)
The western zone of the Rioja DOCa Correct Answer: Rioja Alta
The northern zone of the Rioja DOCa Correct Answer: Rioja Alavesa
The warmest of the three zones of the Rioja DOCa located to the east. Correct Answer: Rioja Baja
The second DOCa. Located on a large elevated plateau, the area is home to hot dry summers and harsh
winters. Soils are sparse in the region and yeilds limited. Wines are almost completely red, and are
known for their intense, concentrated, rich flavors of leather and dark fruit, and powerful structure.
Correct Answer: Ribera del Duero DOCa
Spain's most famous winery. Also, the winery that put Ribera del Duero on the map in the 1800's with its
legendary wines. Correct Answer: Vega Sicilia
A method of making sparkling wine in the Cava DO that was borrowed from champagne. Correct
Answer: metodo tradicional
Spain's most important sparkling wine. Climate conditions are often warm (mediterranean influence).
Grapes ripen to the levels that winemakers of champagne could only dream of. sparkling wines with
more body, less acidity, and riper fruit and citrus flavors. Grapes here are Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-
lo. Correct Answer: Cava DO
Known for its impressive whites. Located along the Atlantic coastline in NW Spain. The main grape in the
rocky, sloped vineyards of the appellation is Albarino. Wines made with 100% albarino are allowed to
put the varietal on the label. Correct Answer: Rías Baixas DO
Spain's only DOCa that does NOT focus on tempranillo. Intense red wines from old-vine Garnacha and
Carinena. Modern winemaking techniques, and aging in small french oak barrels. modern-style, dense,
dry reds. Correct Answer: Priorato DOCa
Home of the Tinto de Toro (tempranillo), rich concentrated red wine. Correct Answer: Toro DO
Region that is gaining prominence for its softer red wines produced from the indigenous Mencia grape.
Correct Answer: Bierzo DO
A DO that is completely dedicated to white wine production, mostly growing soft aromatic Verdejo
grape. Correct Answer: Rueda DO
