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1. How and when are the quality of the vintages defined?

Each year, the Regulatory Boards of Appellations of Origin carries out a tasting with its winemakers and experts to determine the quality of the wines from this harvest on the basis of different qualifications already established. E: excellent / MB: Very good / B: good / R: standard / D: poor. These results are released after the spring, without a specific date as the date of harvest, affected by the weather can vary greatly from one year to the next.

More Information:

http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1549487_6763498_6792150_0,00.html

2. How I can find out about promotional events of Spanish wines outside Spain?

The Wines of Spain website in its Fairs and events section http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1559872_6763304_6790799_0,00.html offers complete and updated information about all the wine events held outside Spain in which ICEX takes part and which, via Wines from Spain, Interested Spanish wineries can attend.

In addition, some Commercial Offices with great involvement in the wine sector have their own websites which detail the activities of the country concerned, in the corresponding language. They are in Germany, USA, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland.

http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1559872_6763307_6778591_0,00.html

3. How is Sherry produced and why, usually, does it not have a vintage?

The wines from Jerez de la Frontera area (Andalusia) are aged using the solera system. Young wines are moved from barrel to barrel, and are mixed - in the appropriate proportion - with already aged wines, thus acquiring certain properties that lend uniformity to the wine which is subsequently extracted for bottling. The botas, 500-liter oak barrels, used at the beginning of the process are called criaderas, and those at the end, which rest on the floor of the winery, are called soleras. From these, a certain quantity of wine is extracted to be bottled (no more than 30 per cent from each solera per year), leaving the rest to continue the blending process. The criaderas are placed on top of the soleras , forming rows up to four barrels high, giving the Jerez wineries their unique appearance.

More information:

http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1549487_6763498_6792169_1071_0,00.html

4. How many DOP’s and IGP’s are there in Spain?

Since the setting up of the Spanish Wine Statute in 1933, there are currently 69 Protected Designation of Origin (DO) in Spain, of which two, Rioja and Priorato are DO Qualified. The oldest are Rioja and Jerez-Sherry-Xérès. As far as Protected Geographical Indications or PGI’s are concerned, there are 43 in total.

More information

http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1549487_6763498_6792150_0,00.html

5. How many types of sherry are there?

One of the beauties of Jerez DO is the versatility of its different types of wines, which are grouped into three general categories depending on the characteristics of the musts and the winemaking and ageing processes that each undergoes: generosos, vinos generosos de licor (sweet generoso wines) and vino dulce natural (sweet natural wines).
Generosos: These are quality wines made during total or partial ageing under the veil of flor – the biological process undergone through the spontaneous appearance of a veil of yeasts on the surface of the wine typical to the Jerez area, which contributes a series of specific analytical and organoleptic properties to the wines. The alcohol content of these wines is no lower than 15º. The wines included are Manzanilla, Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso and Palo Cortado.
Vinos Generosos de Licor (Sweet Generoso Wines): These are made from Generoso wines. They must contain no less than 5 gr/l of sugars. There are Medium, Pale Cream and Cream.
Vino Dulce Natural (Sweet natural wine): These wines are made from very ripe or sun-dried grapes that undergo partial alcoholic fermentation, which is halted through the addition of vinic alcohol. Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel belong to this group.

More information:

http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1549487_6763498_6792169_1071_0,00.html

6. How many types of sherry are there?

One of the beauties of Jerez DO is the versatility of its different types of wines, which are grouped into three general categories depending on the characteristics of the musts and the winemaking and ageing processes that each undergoes: generosos, vinos generosos de licor (sweet generoso wines) and vino dulce natural (sweet natural wines).
Generosos: These are quality wines made during total or partial ageing under the veil of flor – the biological process undergone through the spontaneous appearance of a veil of yeasts on the surface of the wine typical to the Jerez area, which contributes a series of specific analytical and organoleptic properties to the wines. The alcohol content of these wines is no lower than 15º. The wines included are Manzanilla, Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso and Palo Cortado.
Vinos Generosos de Licor (Sweet Generoso Wines): These are made from Generoso wines. They must contain no less than 5 gr/l of sugars. There are Medium, Pale Cream and Cream.
Vino Dulce Natural (Sweet natural wine): These wines are made from very ripe or sun-dried grapes that undergo partial alcoholic fermentation, which is halted through the addition of vinic alcohol. Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel belong to this group.

More information:

http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1549487_6763498_6792169_1071_0,00.html

7. Is cava only produced in Catalonia?

The heartland of Cava making is the country around Sant Sadurní d'Anoia in southern Barcelona province, where specialised bodegas - or Cava houses - have been producing on a commercial scale since the end of the 19th century. Today this area makes 85% of all Cava. However, today's regulated growing area includes 160 muncipalities in seven Spanish regions, among them Aragón, Navarra, La Rioja, Extremadura or Valencia.

More information:

http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1549487_6763498_6792169_1052_0,00.html

8. What are the international wine fairs abroad?

Almost every year new wine fairs join the already existing ones.
They are fairs with very varied characteristics, some very specific and therefore of particular interest. However, there are some which, because of their reputation, size or significance, are already well established fairs, and for many exporters are absolutely unmissable. Without claiming to be a comprehensive list, please find some of them detailled here: Vinexpo Burdeos is held in Bordeaux (France) every two years falling on odd years. 2011 will host the XV1 event. http://www.vinexpo.com/en/index/

Vinexpo Asia-Pacific. Held every two years since 1998, this event is shared between Hong Kong and Japan. http://www.vinexpo.com/en/index/

Prowein. Founded in 1994, this international wine and spirits fair is currently held in Düsseldorf, every two years, on odd years.
http://www.prowein.com/cipp/md_prowein/custom/pub/content,lang,2/oid,15686/ticket,g_u_e_s_t/~/ProWein_2011.html

London International Wine & Spirits Fair International wine fair which also includes DISTIL, dedicated to spirits. Esablished in 1981, it is held yearly in London. http://2010.londonwinefair.com/

Fenavin, set up in 2002, currently held every two years, on odd years, in Ciudad Real (Castilla-La Mancha). http://www.fenavin.com/presentacion.php

-How can I get a map of the PDO wines from Spain?
The Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX) regularly publishes a PDO map, in Spanish, English and German, and you can ask for a copy at
http://www.icex.es/icex/cda/controller/pageICEX/0,6558,5518394_5593087_5589197_0,00.html

-How can I get a market study of wines from Spain?
The studies are available to Spanish wineries, and can be requested by sending an email to vinos@icex.es

-Where can I find Spanish wines in my country?
For information on distributors and stores that sell Spanish wines should contact the Commercial Office of Spain in your country. In this link you will find how to access the Commercial Office nearest you.

http://www.spainbusiness.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3815,1549487_1561468_132310490_0,00.htm
-How can my business start exporting?
The Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX) has a series of programmes designed to help companies who decide to start exporting and need information. The objective of programs such as PIPE (Start up plan for promotion abroad), Learning to Export or Passport Abroad is to help SME’s launch themsleves abroad in the early stages.
Through the Virtual Classroom and Seminars Classroom, we also offer to the potential exporter access to presentations and workshops with specialists from all wine export sectors.

In addition, every year, the Spanish Institute of Foregin Trade (ICEX) , through its Wines Department , publishes ‘Wine Market Studies’ of over 30 countries, drawn up in Spanish by the Spanish Economic and Commercial Offices of the Embassies of Spain abroad. These studies, which provide the necessary information to familiarize yourself with the sector in each country, are a useful tool to help exporting wineries optimize their marketing strategies and, therefore, their positioning in foreign markets. The studies are available to Spanish wineries and can be requested by sending an email to vinos@icex.es

Finally, you can download the business plan of Wines from Spain which is published every year on our website, where you will also find full information, national and international, about Spanish wines and the calendar of Fairs and events.

PIPE http://www.icex.es/icex/cda/controller/pageICEX/0,6558,5518394_5519151_5589197_0_0_-1,00.html

Learning to export
http://www.icex.es/icex/cda/controller/pageICEX/0,6558,5518394_5519137_5589197_0_0_-1,00.html

Passport Abroad
http://www.icex.es/icex/cda/controller/pageICEX/0,6558,5518394_5519162_6735919_0_0_-1,00.html

Seminars
http://www.icex.es/icex/cda/controller/pageICEX/0,6558,5518394_5519175_5554606_0_0_-1,00.html

Virtual Classroom
http://www.icex.es/icex/cda/controller/pageICEX/0,6558,5518394_5519178_6735919_0_0_-1,00.html

Activities calendar 2010
http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cma/contentTypes/common/records/viewDocument/0,,,00.bin?doc=4323825

Fairs and events
http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1559872_6763304_6790799_0,00.html

9. What are the main guides to wines from Spain?

The oldest is the Wine Gourmet’s guide, published by the Gourmet group www.gourmets.net which in 2010 published the XXV edition. The free online version does not contain all the information which appears in the thousand pages of the printed version but does contain many of its sections. It is available in Spanish only.
http://www.gourmets.net/constructor.php?idSeccion=4&idSubSeccion=21
The Peñín Guide to sSpanish Wine published its XX edition in 2010. Edited by the Peñín Group, with Jose Peñín, one of the most long standing wine journalists in Spain, there is a printed version and an online versin, but both are available at a fee. It is translated into English and German.
http://www.grupopenin.com/es/guias.php
The Wine Yearbook has been in print for 15 years this year (2010) and is published by Ediciones El País. It is only available in Spanish in book form and with a larger than usual format. It contains more than 8.000 references and refers to 4.000 wines tasted.
The Proensa Guide to the best wines of Spain has now been circulating for nine editions but Andrés Proensa, another of the most knowledgeable journalists in this field, decided at the time to opt for a different type of guide: less wine and more wine and vineyard commentaries. Only in Spanish. The on-line version gives access to different classification indexes and has a user-friendly search facility.
http://www.proensa.com/guia_entrada.php
The Repsol guide to the best wines is the wine suplement to the Repsol pocket guide (formerly Campsa Guide), the most widely used in Spain. It is published yearly and has an online version, unfortunately not as comprehensive as its gastronomy section.
http://www.guiarepsol.com/gastronomia/vinos/guia.aspx

-How can you discover the range of wine tourism in our country?. Is there a national association of wineries?
There is a wide range of wine tourism on offer in Spain. You can access information through the DO's or the tourism information department of each autonomous region, province or municipality and from the wineries themselves. On a Nationwide scale the association ACEVIN, Wine Cities Association has been running since 2001 http://www.acevin.es/index.asp?iden=2&id=57 , and this body, working with the Administration, has created a dozen routes throughout Spain, of which 11 are already certified, providing a guarantee of good service, etc. http://www.wineroutesofspain.com/
In 2009 the Spanish Association of Wine Tourism and Gourmet Tourism was set up http://www.enoturismoygastronomia.com/ which groups together most of the wine tourism agencies operating in Spain. Working along with Enotur is the Spanish Wine and Gastronomy Show

More information:

http://www.salonenotur.com/, which has the biggest selection in the sector. http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1549487_6763489_6791712_0,00.html

10. What do Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva mean?

It’s a classification attendig the way of ageing and it changes depending on the type of wine: red, white and rosé.
Vino de crianza (crianza wine) applies to red wines aged for a minimum of 24 months, of which 6 months are spent in oak containers with a capacity of 330 litres maximum; and to white and rosé wines aged for at least 18 months.
Reserva is applied to red wines that are aged for a minimum of 36 months, to include at least 12 months in oak and the rest in the bottle; and to white and rosé wines aged for 18 months, to include 6 months on wood.
Gran reserva is given to red wines aged for a minimum of 60 months, to include at least 18 months in oak, and to white and rosé wines aged for 48 months, to include 6 months on wood.

More Information:

http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1549487_6763486_6778161_0,00.htm

11. What is a Great Match?

"The Great Match: Wine & Tapas" is a series of tastings of wines and tapas that serves as a great platform from which to showcase the wide variety of quality Spanish wines currently available in the U.S. market, the arrival of recent vintages to this country and the versatility of Spanish wines which can be the perfect accompaniment to all types of cuisine.
It began in 1994 in the cities of New York and Miami, expanding in 1996 to include Los Angeles, and those Spanish wineries which are already distributing in the States can participate.
During the day it is aimed at professionals from the sector and the press, and at night there is an event that is also open to consumers.
For instance, in the 2010 event in Los Angeles, more than 130 different wines from the DO and Spanish production areas exhibited, and a seminar was held on the wines of Ribera del Duero, given by a renowned U.S. journalist.
We are inviting all importers / representatives of U.S. Spanish wines to participate.

More information:

http://www.greatmatch.org/

12. What is the difference between a DOP and a qualified DO?

Wines bearing the DOP (Protected Denomination of Origin) distinction are prestigious Spanish wines produced in a demarcated production area and are made according to parameters governing quality and type. Each DOP must be regulated by a Governing Body (Consejo Regulador) that is responsible for ensuring the use of grapes of the authorized varieties, and compliance with parameters governing production per hectare, approved methods of wine making and ageing times. In order for wines to be given Protected Denomination of Origin status, the production area is required to have been recognized over at least the previous five years as a region producing quality wines with a geographical indication.
The category Qualified Denomination of Origin - QDO (Vinos de Denominación de Origen Calificada - DOCa) is reserved for wine that has achieved high levels of quality over a long period of time. The first designated wine to enter this class was Rioja, in April 1991 and then, in 2000 was Priorato.
The requirements that must be fulfilled to attain this status include the following: Protected Denomination of Origin (DOP) status for at least the previous 10 years; all products must come to market bottled in wineries located in the region where they are produced or which follow a suitable quality control system imposed by their monitoring and regulating body.

More information:

http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1549487_6763486_6778161_0,00.html 

13. What is the most representative grape variety of Spain?

The red Tempranillo grape variety is Spain’s most famous, which produces its most acclaimed Rioja or Ribera del Duero wines, among other DO's. It is a grape which matures before other varieties (hence its name, which is a reference to ‘early’). It is characterized by its high tannin content, which, along with its appropriate acidity, produces wines suitable for ageing. A grape of great finesse and very aromatic, it is referrred to by different names depending on the region: Ull de Llebre in Catalonia, Cencibel in Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid, Tinto Fino and Tinto del Pais in Castile-Leon. It is extremely common in Burgos, La Rioja, Alava, Cuenca and Ciudad Real and is the main variety in the DO Calatayud, Cigales, Conca de Barberá, Costers del Segre, La Mancha, Penedes, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Somontano, Utiel-Requena, Valdepeñas and Vinos de Madrid

More information:

http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1549487_6763504_6781969_0,00.html

14. What is Wines of Spain?

The Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX) is the body designated by the government to promote Spanish exports and support the internationalization of our companies. To effectively achieve its objectives, ICEX operates abroad through the network of Economic and Commercial Offices of the Embassies of Spain, and within Spain, through the Regional and Territorial Trade Offices.

Wines from Spain is the brand created by ICEX to group together promotional activities aimed at disseminating Spanish wines abroad.
These activities are very varied in nature. Among other activities, for example, it offers assistance to enable participation in trade fairs, looking for distributors, organizing reciprocal visits for journalists and buyers, media presentations, websites and publication in many languages, development of market research, foreign trade statistics , etc.
Updated information Wines of Spain can be found at http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,5120,1549487_6759264_6759252_0,00.html

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