La Rioja

Question 1

Two producers who brought back knowledge from BDX

Answer 1

Marques de Riscal y Marques de Murrieta

Question 2

What 3 autonomous regions does Rioja DOCa cover?

Answer 2

La Rioja, Pais Vasco, Navarra

Question 3

3 zones of DOCa Rioja

Answer 3

Alavesa, Alta, Oriental

Question 4

Wind from the Bay of Biscay that cool Rioja?

Answer 4

Cirezo

Question 5

Preferred blending grape with Tempranillo

Answer 5

Garnacha Tinta

Question 6

Training (pruning) common to Rioja

Answer 6

Vara y Pulgar (stick and thumb)

Question 7

Rioja producers who make young reds (often with cab mac)

Answer 7

Cosecheros

Question 8

Rioja zones in order of production

Answer 8

Alta - 42%
Oriental - 37%
Alavesa - 21%

Question 9

“Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja,” what three sweetness categories are allowed?

Answer 9

Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut

Question 10

Why is La Rioja called the “Zone of Seven Valleys”?

Answer 10

For the seven tributaries flowing from the Sistema Ibérico to the Ebro River.

Question 11

In which century was the Real Sociedad Económica de Cosecheros de Rioja created to protect La Rioja’s reputation?

Answer 11

18th Century (1787)

Question 12

Three main blending grapes for Rioja

Answer 12

Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo (Cariñena), Graciano

Question 13

What is the name of the Rioja wine label “security system”?

Answer 13

Rioja Trustseal

Question 14

Which DOCa Rioja zone has the most diverse soil makeup?

Answer 14

Rioja Alta

Question 15

Minimum vine age for Viñedos Singulares

Answer 15

35 years

Question 16

What are the three primary soil types in DOCa Rioja?

Answer 16

Calcareous clay, ferrous clay, alluvium

Question 17

If whole bunches are used In the production of vino tinto in DOCa Rioja, what percentage of red grapes must be used.

Answer 17

85%

Question 18

What are three topographical features that affect the climate of Rioja?

Answer 18

Mountains, the Ebro River, the northern coast.

Question 19

Which town and zone is the historic Barrio de la Estacion

Answer 19

Haro, Rioja Alta

Question 20

Ageing requirements for Rioja (winemaking, not time)

Answer 20

225L barriques
No oak chips/stave
Time in oak uninterrupted

Question 21

Rioja DOCa Regional Classifications - bottom to top

Answer 21

Generico
Vinos de Zona
Vinos de Municipio
Viñedos Singulares

Question 22

Rules for Viñedos Singulares

Answer 22

35 year old vines
10 year contract with growers
Limited vigor
Yields 20% lower than set by Consejo Regulador
Handpicked
Transparent and traceable production
Assessed wines

Question 23

Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja - is it in DO Cava?

Answer 23

No

Question 24

Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja - ageing requirements for general, reserva and gran reserva

Answer 24

General - 15 months
Reserva - 24 months
Gran Reserva - 36 months