Chapter 11: Rioja and Priorat

Question 1

Year that Rioja was promoted to a DOCa

Answer 1

1991

Question 2

Location of the Rioja DOCa

Answer 2

North-central Spain, inland from the Cantabrian Mtns; Mostly in the autonomía of La Rioja; some vineyards in Navarra and Basque Country

Question 3

Main river that flows through the Rioja DOCa

Answer 3

Ebro River

Question 4

Three zones of the Rioja DOCa

Answer 4

!. Rioja Alta 2. Rioja Alavesa 3. Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja)

Question 5

The high-altitude, hilly area covering most of the western half of the Rioja DOCa

Answer 5

Rioja Alta

Question 6

The portion of the western half of the Rioja DOCa occupying most of the area north of the Ebro River

Answer 6

Rioja Alavesa

Question 7

The lower, flatter eastern portion of the Rioja DOCa; the hottest and driest of the zones

Answer 7

Rioja Oriental (formerly known as the Rioja Baja)

Question 8

(4) Primary red grapes of the Rioja DOCa

Answer 8

1. Tempranillo 2. Garnacha 3. Mazuelo 4. Graciano

Question 9

Principal white grape of the Rioja DOCa

Answer 9

Viura

Question 10

(6) Minor white grapes of the Rioja DOCa

Answer 10

1. Chardonnay 2. Sauvignon Blanc 3. Malvasia 4. Verdejo 5. Garnacha Blanca 6. Maturana Blanca

Question 11

Grape variety often used in the production of Rioja Rosé

Answer 11

Grenache/Garnacha

Question 12

Sparkling wine produced in the Rioja DOCa

Answer 12

Vino Espumoso de Calidad de Rioja DOCa

Question 13

Traditional aging vessels used in Rioja

Answer 13

225-liter American oak barrels

Question 14

Red Rioja: Traditional style

Answer 14

Highly tannic, extensive oak aging, meant to bottle-age for long periods, emphasis on earthiness, minerality, and “leathery” character

Question 15

Red Rioja: Modern style

Answer 15

Single-vineyard, single-variety, approachable at a younger age

Question 16

Rioja Crianza (red): aging requirements

Answer 16

min. 2 years total aging, including min. 12 months in oak

Question 17

Rioja Reserva (red): aging requirements

Answer 17

min. 3 years total aging, including min. 12 months in oak and min. 6 months in the bottle

Question 18

Rioja Gran Reserva (red): aging requirements

Answer 18

min. 24 months in oak, min. 24 months in bottle, total of min. 60 months

Question 19

Location of Priorato DOCa

Answer 19

In Catalonia, just inland from Barcelona, mountainous region about 18 miles/29 km from the Mediterranean

Question 20

Year that Priorato was promoted to DOCa

Answer 20

2009

Question 21

Principal red grapes of the Priorato DOCa

Answer 21

Garnacha and Cariñena (Carignan) are prominent; (Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah are also allowed)

Question 22

Decomposed slate soils of Priorat

Answer 22

Llicorella

Question 23

White grapes allowed for use in Priorat

Answer 23

1. Garnacha 2. Blanca 3. Macabeo 4. Pedro Ximénez (plus others)