Certified Sommelier Exam (CMS 2) > Spain - Catalonia / Catalunya > Flashcards

Spain - Catalonia / Catalunya Flashcards

(29 cards)

Study These Flashcards
1
Q

Identify where Catalonia / Catalunya is on this map of Spain.

A
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2
Q

Where is Catalonia/Catalunya located in Spain?

A
  • Northeastern Spain, in the foothills of the Pyrenees.
  • Near the Mediterranean Sea and the city of Barcelona.
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3
Q

What is the climate of Priorat?

A

Hot and dry Mediterranean with significant diurnal shifts.

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4
Q

What is the climate of Cava?

A

Moderate due to altitude (where most Cava is made).

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5
Q

What is a physical feature to Priorat?

A

Steep, terraced slopes.

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6
Q
  • What specific soil type does Priorat have?
  • What does it allow the vines to do?
A

Llicorella soil allows vines to dig deep for water.

Click HERE to see and learn more about Llicorella soils.

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7
Q

Cava’s vineyards are high-altitude sites in this mountain range.

A

Pyrenées

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8
Q

Select the correct answer.

Because Priorat’s soils are friable black slate, this means that the terrain does not allow for:

a. hand harvesting
b. mechanization
c. aspersion

A

b. mechanization

All Priorat vineyards are hand harvested.

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9
Q

Fill in the blanks.

The most common form of vine training in Priorat is _____, which gives naturally _____ yields.

A
  • bush vine (Gobelet) training
  • naturally low yields
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10
Q

What style of vine training is depicted in this photo?

A

Bush-trained vines

Know it for the exam

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11
Q

Select the correct answer.

In Priorat, which form of winemaking is common?

a. Modern winemaking, including the use of French oak.
b. Modern winemaking, using only stainless steel for everything.
c. Modern winemaking, using only 100% carbonic maceration on all wines.

A

a. Modern winemaking, including the use of French oak.

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12
Q

Cava is made using this Method.

Tank or Traditional?

A

Traditional Method

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13
Q

In Cava, which is more commonly used to riddle: a gyropalette or riddling by hand?

A

Gyropalette (a Spanish invention!) is typically used.

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14
Q

What are the 3 main white grapes of Cava?

A
  1. Xarel-lo
  2. Parellada
  3. Macabeo
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15
Q

What is the most common white grape variety for Priorat blanc?

A

Garnacha Blanca

International varieties are also used, but they’re typically blended with Garnacha Blanca.

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16
Q

What are the 2 most common red grapes used for Priorat?

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A
  1. Garnacha
  2. Cariñena

International varieties are also used but to a lesser degree.

17
Q

What international red grape is planted for use in Cava?

18
Q

Select the correct answer.

Cava is made in:

a. white styles only
b. rosado styles only
c. white and rosado styles

Study These Flashcards
A

c. white and rosado styles

19
Q

Where is the Cava DO in Spain?

Study These Flashcards
A

It covers all of Spain, but the vast majority of Cava is made within the Penedès DO of Catalonia.

20
Q

Fill in the blank.

Cava, also known as Cava de Guarda, is aged a minimum ____ months on the lees.

Study These Flashcards
A

minimum 9 months

21
Q

Fill in the blank.

Cava Reserva is aged a minimum ____ on the lees.

Study These Flashcards
A

18 months on lees

22
Q

Briefly describe a red Priorat wine.

Study These Flashcards
A

Priorat is a powerful, intense, spicy Garnacha-based blend, often aged in French oak and blended with international varieties.

23
Q

Name 5 important Priorat producers.

Study These Flashcards
A
  1. Rene Barbier (Clos Mogador)
  2. Álvaro Palacios
  3. Clos Erasmus
  4. Clos Martinet
  5. Scala Dei
24
Q

Name 2 important Cava producers.

Study These Flashcards
A
  1. Gramona
  2. Avinyó
25
Is Priorat considered modern or traditional in style?
Modern ## Footnote It made a big impact in a short period of time and is highly respected.
26
# Select the correct answer. Priorat is a: a. DO b. DOC c. DOCa
c. DOCa
27
What is the importance of Gratallops?
In 1979 Rene Barbier, a winemaker for Alvaro Palacios, planted a mix of local and French vines in the llicorella soils of Gratallops, a tiny old village in the heart of Priorat, and he convinced Palacios and several others to join him. In 1989, they cooperatively produced a first effort—a single red wine bottled under five different labels—and turned the eyes of the wine world towards Priorat. The five original “Clos” wines of Priorat, commonly acknowledged as Barbier’s Clos Mogador, Palacios' Clos Dofi, Clos Erasmus, Clos de l’Obac, and Clos Martinet, were released as vino de mesa, yet they represented a new pinnacle of quality for the region.
28
What 4 things about a red Priorat do you have to consider when food and wine pairing?
1. Oak use 2. Ripeness 3. Intensity 4. Alcohol level
29
What foods would you pair with red Priorat?
* Lamb * Beef * Cassoulet * Rabbit stews * Duck - roasted or confit
Certified Sommelier Exam (CMS 2)
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