Geography, Climate and Soils - Upper Ebro

Question 1

Rioja is named after what river?

Answer 1

The Rio Oja, a tributary of the Ebro.

Question 2

How many hectares is Rioja?

Answer 2

63,000ha

Question 3

What geographical formation is important to Rioja Alavesa and Alta and why?

Answer 3

The mountain range of the Sierra de Cantabria, protects from Atlantic winds to the north, without which it would be too windy for viticulture.

Question 4

What are the climates of the three Rioja sub-regions?

Answer 4

Rioja Alavesa - Atlantic-Maritime
Rioja Alta - Mediterranean influenced Atlantic-maritime
Rioja Baja - Mediterranean

Question 5

What are the generalised soil formations of the three sub-regions of Rioja?

Answer 5

Rioja Alavesa - Calcareous clay
Rioja Alta - Calcareous clay, ferruginous clay and alluvial soil.
Rioja Baja - Ferruginous clay and alluvial soil

Question 6

What is the annual temperature range, annual rainfall and sunshine hours of Rioja?

Answer 6

• 40°C to -4°C
• 450mm
• 2800 hours

Question 7

Rioja Alavesa is located where? At what altitude? What key points differentiate its climate from the other two zones?

Answer 7

• Basque country, closest to the Bay of Biscay
• North of the River Ebro in the north of the region
• 400-500m above sea level
• The coolest and wettest of the three regions

Question 8

Where is Rioja Alta located? At what altitude? Describe its specific climate in relation to the other two sub-regions.

Answer 8

• Mainly south of the Ebro in the west of the region
• 400-500m
• Warmer and drier than Alavesa but still relatively cool due to Atlantic-maritime influence

Question 9

The three different soil formations of Rioja Alta are best suited to which grape varieties?

Answer 9

• Calcareous clay - Viura
• Ferruginous clay - Tempranillo
• Alluvial - Malvasia

Question 10

Name the two most important towns in Rioja Alta.

Answer 10

• Haro

- Logrono

Question 11

Where is Rioja Baja located? At what altitude? How does its climate relate to the other two sub regions?

Answer 11

• South of the river Ebro to the east of the region
• 300m
• Much hotter and drier than the other regions - semi-arid in places

Question 12

Where is the region of Navarra located? At what altitudes does itv vineyards range

Answer 12

Northeast of Rioja Baja over the River Ebro. Vineyards run from the river valley floor up to the Pyrenean foothills in the north. 250-650m

Question 13

What is the climate of Navarra? What is the annual temperature range of Navarra and what problems can this cause?

Answer 13

• Broadly continental
• Summer 28°C to Winter -20°C
• Winter temperatures can cause vine death

Question 14

What are the sunshine hours and annual rainfall of Navarra?

Answer 14

• Rainfall ranges from 400mm in the south to 600mm in the north
• Sunshine hours are 2200h to 2500h

Question 15

What is the generalised soil type of Navarra?

Answer 15

Loam over gravel with limestone bedrock, although it does vary considerably in the sub-regions.

Question 16

Describe the location of Somontano, what does the word mean?

Answer 16

In the northeast of the country close to the Pyrenees. The name means ‘under the mountains’

Question 17

Explain the positioning of the vineyards of Somontano. At what altitudes are they?

Answer 17

• Vineyards are positioned on the rolling hills and terraces of the Pyrenean foothills down to the Ebro and in the valleys themselves. Altitudes range from 350m - 650m

Question 18

What is the climate of Somontano (making it what?) and what are the two major factors that influence it?

Answer 18

Mild continental, making it one of Spains only relatively cool climate areas. The major influencing (cooling) characters are the Pyrenees and the River Vero.

Question 19

What are the annual rainfall and sunshine hours of Somontano?

Answer 19

• 350-650mm

- 2700h

Question 20

What are the soil types found in Somontano?

Answer 20

Chalk, sandstone and clay, all rich in calcium carbonate ideal for vine growing.

Question 21

Where is Calatayud?

Answer 21

South of Navarra to the west of Carinena on either side of the Ebro tributary the River Jalon

Question 22

What is the climate of Calatayud? The hottest upper Ebro region is vines escape the heat by being planted at what altitudes?

Answer 22

• Continental, semi-arid in places

- Vines are planted at 550-1040m

Question 23

What is the temperature range, annual rainfall and sunshine hours of Calatayud?

Answer 23

• Annual temperature range 39°C to -8°C
• 340mm
• 1786h

Question 24

What is the soil type of Calatayud?

Answer 24

Brown limestone over slate and gypsum

Question 25

Where is Carinena situated? At what altitude are its vineyards?

Answer 25

To the east of Calatayud in the south of the Ebro Valley. This is the centre of Aragon on a plane called the Campo de Carinena. 400-800m

Question 26

What is the climate of Carinena and what factors influence it?

Answer 26

• Continental, hot summers up to 38°C

- The wind the Cierzo which helps cool the vineyards but is strong enough to cause problems from vines

Question 27

What is the soil of Carinena?

Answer 27

Reddish-brown limestone over a loose rock subsoil rich in calcium carbonate