Tempranillo Flashcards Preview

WSET ® Level 2 Wine > Tempranillo > Flashcards

Flashcards in Tempranillo Deck (18)
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1
Q

Tempranillo is which country’s most important black grape varietal?

A

Spain

2
Q

Name the 2 most important appellations in Spain for quality Tempranillo.

A
  1. Rioja DOCa
  2. Ribera del Duero DO
3
Q

What is the climate of Rioja DOCa?

A

Moderate

4
Q

What is the expansive appellation in northeastern Spain that is known for making high-volume Tempranillo?

A

Catalunya DO

5
Q

Describe the general profile of Tempranillo.

A
  • Dry
  • Medium body
  • Medium tannin
  • Medium acidity
  • Red fruit (red cherry)
  • Black fruit (black plum)
6
Q

Much like Garnacha, Tempranillo can be quite versatile.

Describe the range of styles in which Tempranillo can be made.

A
  • Simple, fruit-forward, juicy, affordable wines with no oak influence;
  • Complex, powerful, expensive wines with years of oak influence;
  • Everything in between.
7
Q

When Tempranillo is grown and made to be aged long term, is it usually bottled as a single varietal or blended with other grapes?

A

Blended with other grapes

Some grapes will add bright, spicy red fruits (like Garnacha), and others will add acidity and tannin to help bolster long-term aging.

8
Q

What is the traditional vessel for aging Tempranillo or Tempranillo-based wines?

A

Small, new oak barrels (usually American).

9
Q

What flavor characteristics does oak impart on Tempranillo?

A
  • Vanilla
  • Cedar
  • Smoke
10
Q

Are the Tempranillos in Rioja DOCa usually bottled as single varietals or blends?

A

Blends

In Rioja DOCa, Tempranillo is most often blended with Garnacha.

11
Q

What do the terms Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva refer to on a bottle of Rioja?

A

How long the wine was aged before it is released to the market.

12
Q

Which term refers to the longest aging period:

  • Crianza
  • Reserva
  • Gran Reserva
A

Gran Reserva

Gran Reserva wines usually have the most noticeable secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors from extended aging both in barrel and in bottle.

13
Q

Which term refers to the shortest aging period:

  • Crianza
  • Reserva
  • Gran Reserva
A

Crianza

Crianza retains its primary fruit aromas and flavors because it spends the least amount of time in oak.

14
Q

Ribera del Duero is generally warmer and more mountainous than Rioja.

How does Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero differ from Tempranillo from Rioja?

A

Ribera del Duero

  • Fuller bodied
  • Higher in alcohol
  • Higher in tannin
  • Blacker fruit profile

Rioja

  • Medium bodied
  • Medium alcohol
  • Medium tannin
  • Red/black fruit profile
15
Q

What is the term for very youngest style of aged wine in Spain?

A

Joven

16
Q

Describe a Joven red wine from Spain.

A
  • Young
  • Fresh
  • Fruity

Joven almost never sees new oak and will be even more simple than Crianza.

17
Q

Describe a Reserva red wine from Spain.

A
  • Dry
  • Softened tannins
  • Developing secondary + tertiary aromas and flavors
    • caramel, earth, mushrooms
    • both fresh + dried or cooked fruit
18
Q

Grapes of what level of quality are used for Reserva or Gran Reserva wines in Spain?

A

Only top tier quality

Mediocre or low-quality fruit would fall apart and produce unpleasant, stale wines if subjected to the rigorous, several-year aging process required for Gran Reserva.