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D3 Wines of the World > 20.3 - Rioja > Flashcards

20.3 - Rioja Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the situation, topography and climate of Rioja

A

Situation northern end of the Meseta central

Topography

- cut off from Atlantic by Sierra de Cantabria

  • cut off from warmer weather off the centre by Sierra de la Demanda
  • open valley to the SE through which the Ebro flows opens the eastern end to Med influence
  • tributaries of Ebro mean varieties of aspects

Climate Climate is generally continental and warm although conditions vary by sub-region

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2
Q

Outline the difference in size & situation, topography, climate and soil between the Alta, Alavesa and Oriental

A

Size & Situation

Alta - largest, mainly south of river Ebro, west

Alavesa - small, north of Ebro west of Logorono

Oriental - similar size of Alta, to the east on both sides of the river

Topography

Alta - low altitude with some southern parts up to 700m

Alavesa - higher altitude up to 700m

Oriental - northern area is low altitude, southern area 500-1000m

Climate

Alta - warm, NW and south are relatively cool and wet

Alavesa - relatively cool and wet

Oriental - northern part of warmest and driest, southern area can be as cool as Alavesa

Soils

Alta - calcareous clay in NW, ferrous clay in south

Alavesa - calcareous clay

Oriental - mix of calcareous clay and ferrous clay in south

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3
Q

Briefly explain how calcareous clay and ferrous clay may impact grape ripening and the style of wine produced.

A

Calcareous clay - clay with high % of calcium and magnesium carbonate –> high pH which promotes acid production, coolness delays ripening –> higher acid, grippier tannin

Ferrous clay - iron-rich clay –> in general, clay is cooler so delays ripening, iron is important for photosynthesis (prevents chlorosis)

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4
Q

How has climate change impacted the region?

A

Improved viability of cooler, high altitude vineyards

Increased drought risk in warmer, drier areas esp. parts of Oriental

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5
Q

To what extent does Rioja have good and bad vintages?

A

Some years have more Atlantic or Med influence which can markedly change vintage character

But variety of growing conditions makes it difficult to generalise

E.g. warmer, drier years can be bad for lower altitude Oriental but a boon for higher altitude Oriental

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6
Q

Describe planting and production trends in Rioja since the 1980s.

What is the average yield?

A

64,000 ha - up 50% since 1990

Production = 3mn hL

Average yield = 46 hL/ha (low-middling)

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7
Q

How has viticulture changed in Rioja?

A

Increase in VSP and mechanisation

BUT

Bush vines and old vines remain important

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8
Q

Why has Tempranillo largely replaced plantings of Garnacha? (2)

Where is Garnacha regaining ground?

A
  1. Better yields
  2. Legalisation of irrigation means Garnacha’s drought resistance is less important

BUT

Garncha regaining ground in the warmer, drier areas of Oriental especially amongst quality-focussed producers

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9
Q

Describe what Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano contribute to a blend.

A

Tempranillo - raspberry and black plum, med-med(+) acid and tannin (88% of plantings)

Garnacha - strawberries, soft tannin, body (8% of plantings)

Graciano - fresh black fruit, high acid and tannin (2% of plantings)

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10
Q

Describe what Mazuelo, Maturana Tinta, and Cabernet Sauvignon contribute to a blend.

A

Mazuelo (Carinena/Carignan) - black fruit, high acid

Maturana Tinta (Trousseau) - deep purple colour, fresh cranberry and blackberry, high acid

Cabernet Sauvignon - black fruits, high acid and tannin

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11
Q

Describe the blends used to produce red Rioja.

A

Principally or solely Tempranillo

Everything else plays a supporting role although Graciano and Mazuelo sometimes used to make single-variety wines

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12
Q

Describe the characteristics of Graciano including:

  • Drought tolerance
  • Yield
  • Fungal disease tolerance
  • Structure and flavour
A

Drought resistant

Low yields

Vulnerable to fungal diseases

Fresh black fruit

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13
Q

Describe the characteristics of Viura including:

  • Budding / Ripening
  • Vulnerability
  • Ideal sites
  • Styles produced
A
  • Late budding and ripening
  • Susceptible to botrytis
  • Warm, dry sites
    1. High yields –> neutral, early-drinking in SST
    2. Low yields –> concentrated, complex wines with ageing potential via barrel-ferment and maturation
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14
Q

What % of plantings is black vs white grapes in Rioja?

A

90/10

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15
Q

How are Tempranillo Blanco, Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca, Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc used for/contribute to blend.

A

Temp Blanco - lemon, grapefruit, pineapple + high acid

Malvasia & Garnacha Blanca - both add more complexity, Garnacha adds acidity; usually in oak matured wines

Verdejo & Sauvignon Blanc - blended with Viura for unoaked styles

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16
Q

Describe the general differences in winemaking and style between a Joven and a Gran Riserva red Rioja. (4)

A

Extraction - less extraction in Joven wines including use of whole bunch

Fermentation - Higher temp fermentation for Gran Reserva to promote extraction, less emphasis on fruit

Vessels - Joven in SST or concrete tanks; GR in barriques with a significant proportion of new oak

Maturation - limited for Joven, min of 24mnths bottle ageing and 60 total ageing for GR

17
Q

Outline the trend in winemaking since the 1990s

A

Early harvests

Gentler extraction

Older/larger oak vessels or amphora

Shorter maturation periods

More French oak

18
Q

Outline the differences between French and American oak in terms of stylistic effect and cost.

A

Style American oak has more lactones (coconut) as well as the vanillin of French oak –> bigger flavour impact; French oak contributes more tannin

Cost American oak cheaper at around €300-600 vs. €600-1200 for a French oak barrel

19
Q

What does vinos de autor refer to?

A

A style of premium Rioja - popular in the 90s - which eschewed ageing categories.

Low yields, heavy extraction and ageing in new oak

Ripe, heavily extracted, concentrated

20
Q

Give an example of blending for quality across Rioja’s subzones

A

Garnacha is usually best grown in Baja and Temp in Alta/Alavesa so top-quality wine may be best blended across these regions

21
Q

Compare and contrast different styles of white Rioja including blend, winemaking, style and quality-price.

A

Traditional

  • Low yield Viura, sometimes with Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca
  • Oxidative with extended elevage
  • High acid, full body with intense, complex tertiary-dominant flavours
  • Outstanding/SP

Modern

  • Low yield Viura, sometimes with Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca
  • New oak maturation
  • Med(+) acidity and med(+) body with citrus fruit, smoke, nuttiness
  • Mid-priced-premium/good-VG

High Vol

  • High yield Viura with/or Verdejo, Temp Blanco and SB
  • Protective winemaking, unoaked
  • Med-med(+) acidity, neutral flavours
  • Inexpensive/acceptable-good
22
Q

What styles of rosado are produced in Rioja?

A

Same as rest of Spain

With Temp and/or Garnacha

Home to highest quality rosé

Modern

  1. High vol, inexpensive - deeply coloured with short maceration, fermented in SST and bottled quickly
  2. Pale, Provence-style via DP, fermented in SST –> some may have lees ageing for texture

Traditional

  1. Deeply coloured, fermented and aged in oak with lees contact with short maceration of black grapes and blended with white grapes –> complex with 2nd and 3rd flavours
23
Q

Outline the meaning of the terms:

Vino de Zona

Vino de Municipio

Viñedo Singular (Single Vineyard)

A

Vino de Zona

  • Zona = Alta, Alavesa, Oriental
  • All grapes from within zona or up to 15% from outside if the vineyard is on the border and producer has been sourcing from that vineyard for 10 years
  • Vinification, ageing and bottling within zona
  • Label may mention zona

Vino de Municipio

  • Village or group of villages
  • Similar 15% rule
  • Vinification, ageing and bottling within the municipality (how does this differ from Burgundy?)
  • Label may mention village (and zona)

Viñedo Singular

  • Single vineyard owned by the same winery for 10 years
  • Vineyard at least 35 years old and max yields
  • Hand-harvested, sustainably viticulture
  • Tasting panel
  • Vinification, ageing, bottling in the same winery
  • May state the term “Viñedo Singular”
24
Q

When were new labelling terms based on geography introduced in Rioja and why?

A

2018

  • Frustration about the lack of sub-zones and inadequacy of maturation-based hierarchy
  • Winemakers began leaving DOCa e.g. Artadi / proposing their own classifications
25
Q

What stipulations on oak ageing within Rioja from reds? How do they differ from the rest of Spain?

A

Vessel Size 225L max vs. 330L max in rest of Spain

Min total time No difference

Min barrel ageing Higher for Crianza and GR

Min bottle ageing Not stipulated for rest of Spain

26
Q

What stipulations on oak ageing within Rioja from rosado and white? How do they differ from the rest of Spain?

A

Size of vessel 225L max vs. 330L max

Min oak ageing: Longer for Crianza

27
Q

Describe the business environment of Rioja in terms of landholdings, production structure, sales trends, average prices and production costs.

A

Landholdings Diffuse with 75% of vineyard area in plot of 2ha or less

Production structure Concentrated with 40% of growers selling to co-ops and top 10 producers making 40% of sales cf. 80% of producers making up 12%); many producers also merchants and many co-ops sell to merchants

Sales Trends Slow increase with export markets; 37% of sales with UK, Germany, US main markets; Crianza most popular with Reserva/GR mainly exported and joven wines sold widely domestically and via export; sales of white and rose growing rapidly but still small %

Average Prices Much higher than Spain but significantly below France/Italy. Some achieve SP and small investment market.

Production Costs Relatively low given plentiful, flat land

28
Q

How is Rioja promoted?

A

Consejo Regulador contracts local PR companies to organise local tasting, events, media listings –> diversity, value

Producer Groups e.g. Bodegas Familiares de Rioja - 40 small/med bodegas –> promote wine and campaign for changes to regs like min stock holdings needed to label wine as Crianza, Reserva etc. or Rioja ’n’ Roll - small, first gen producers –> quality of particular vineyards etc.

D3 Wines of the World (55 decks)

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