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Spanish Wine Scholar > La Rioja > Flashcards

La Rioja Flashcards

1
Q

Distinguish between La Rioja the autonomous community, and the wine region

A

Autonomous community: southern border is Sierra de la Demanda (within Sistema Ibérico).

Wine region is northern half of the autonomous community, plus bits of País Vasco and Navarra.

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2
Q

Who conquered the original tribes of La Rioja, how, in which century? What does this have to do with wine?

A

Phoenicians
By sailing up the Ebro River
11C BCE
Introduced wine

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3
Q

In the Middle Ages, the largest vineyard owners in La Rioja were which monasteries in which municipality?

A

Suso, Yuso
San Millán de la Cogolla

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4
Q

In which century is the earliest evidence of La Rioja exporting wine? Through which ports? To whom?

A

late 13C
Bilbao, Santander
Dutch, English

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5
Q

In which year did local authorities create the first regulations in the world to protect the quality and reputation of Rioja wines? Name two things that were regulated?

A

1560
Grapes from outside Rioja prohibited.
Wine transported in specific, sealed vessels.

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6
Q

In which year, was which society formed to project Rioja’s reputation?

A

1787
Real Sociedad Económica de Cosecheros de Rioja

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7
Q

Where did people from La Rioja take exile during the Carlist Wars (1833-1876)? Name two men whose learnings from the French drastically improved Rioja wine on their return

A

Bordeaux
Marqués de Murrieta
Marqués de Riscal

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8
Q

Rioja supplied wine to offset shortages caused by two disasters, in the 1850s and 1860s. Where and what were they? To which town did wineries move to be closer to the train station and the new railway?

A

1850s Galicia, powdery mildew
1860s France, phylloxera
Haro

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9
Q

In which year did phylloxera reach (well-prepared) Rioja?

A

1899

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10
Q

In which year was:
DO Rioja recognised?
Rioja’s Consejo Regulador established?

A

1925
1926

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11
Q

In 1982 (same year as La Rioja gained autonomy) the Consejo Regulador revised its quality charter. Name three new controls

A

Harvest yields
Production volume
Ageing/barrel regimens

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12
Q

In which year was Rioja awarded DOCa status?

A

1991

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13
Q

La Rioja is bordered by…?

A

N&E: País Vasco, Navarra
SW: Aragón (just)
S&W: Castilla y León

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14
Q

La Rioja: capital, largest city, population

A

Logroño
(315k, almost 50%)

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15
Q

DOCa Rioja includes which autonomous communities? What percentage of vineyard in each?

A

La Rioja 69%
País Vasco 20% (in Álava)
Navarra 11%

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16
Q

Length, width of DOCa Rioja?

A

100km
40km

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17
Q

Zones within DOCa Rioja?

A

Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Alta
Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja)

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18
Q

Climate of La Rioja? Key geographical factors?

A

Continental
Mountains N & S
Ebro River

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19
Q

Characterise the four seasons in La Rioja?

A

Summer: hot, dry, sunny
Autumn: mild
Winter: cold
Spring: frost common

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20
Q

Which of the three zones in La Rioja are more:
humid
warm
arid
rainy

A

humid: Rioja Alavesa/Alta
warm: Rioja Oriental
arid: Rioja Oriental
rainy: Rioja Alavesa/Alta

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21
Q

Average temperature, rainfall ranges in La Rioja

A

12-32ºC
300-600 mm (more in mountains)

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22
Q

Name two mountain ranges to the north of La Rioja, and two to the south

A

N: Montes Obarenes, Sierra de Toloño
S: Sierra de la Demanda, Sierra de Cameros

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23
Q

Name the larger mountain ranges that these are part of, in La Rioja:
Sierra de Toloño
Sierra de la Demanda

A

Sierra de Cantabria
Sistema Ibérico

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24
Q

What are separated by the Sierra de Cantabria in La Rioja?

A

Rioja Alavesa
The rest of Álava in País Vasco

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25
Q

La Rioja is projected from cold, rainy winds from the northern coast by what?

A

Montes Obarenes
Sierra de Toloño

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26
Q

La Rioja is separated from severe climate and warm winds of the Meseta by what?

A

Sierra de la Demanda
Sierra de Cameros

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27
Q

Highest peak in La Rioja, in which range?

A

Monte San Lorenzo (2,271m)
Sierra de la Demanda

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28
Q

Longest river in Spain?

A

Ebro

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29
Q

La Rioja is the ‘Zone of the Seven Valleys’, drier valleys with more extreme temperatures. Name the seven rivers.

A

West to east:
Oja
Najerilla
Iregua
Leza
Jubera
Cidacos
Alhama

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30
Q

Name the powerful N/NW wind that pummels La Rioja when there is an anticyclone over the Bay of Biscay?

A

Cierzo

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31
Q

Where, when, and what effect does the Cierzo wind have on La Rioja vineyards?

A

Mainly in Rioja Oriental
Mainly autumn/winter
Chases away humidity (less disease)
Moderates temperatures (gradual ripening)

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32
Q

Name the three soil types of DOCa Rioja and their prevalence

A

Calcareous clay (30%)
Ferrous clay (25%)
Alluviums (45%)

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33
Q

In DOCa Rioja, which soil type is found on the low mountains on the right bank of the Ebro, and lower hillsides in Rioja Alta/Oriental?

A

Ferrous clay

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34
Q

In DOCa Rioja, which soil type is found mainly on steep terraces from the Cordillera Cantábrica to the Ebro River, in all of Rioja Alavesa and near the river in Rioja Alta?

A

Calcareous clay

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35
Q

In DOCa Rioja, which soil type is found along the banks of the Ebro and its tributaries, throughout Rioja Alta/Oriental?

A

Alluvial

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36
Q

Why are alluvial soils in DOCa Rioja prone to drought and water-logging?

A

Vines can only root to 1m before hitting limestone hardpan

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37
Q

Which soil type in DOCa Rioja is most mechanised?

A

Alluvial
(flatter)

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38
Q

Tempranillo: percentage of DOCa Rioja vineyard in
early 1970s
today

A

early 1970s: 30% (Garnacha Tinta was 40%)
today: 75% (88% of red)

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39
Q

DOCa Rioja: Common blending partners for Tempranillo? What do they all boost?

A

Garnacha Tinta
Mazuelo (Cariñena)
Graciano
alcohol

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40
Q

Preferred blending partner of Tempranillo in DOCa Rioja, and where mostly grown?

A

Garnacha Tinta
Rioja Oriental (late ripening)

41
Q

Typical Rioja blend contains what proportion of:
Tempranillo
Garnacha Tinta
Mazuelo/Graciano

A

60-80%
20%
the rest

42
Q

Main grape variety for vino blanco in Rioja, and percentage of white vineyard?

A

Viura (Macabeo)
69% of white plantings

43
Q

Main grape variety for vino rosado in Rioja?

A

Garnacha Tinta
moderate pigment, red fruit

44
Q

In 2007 the Consejo Regulador in Rioja allowed additional white grapes. Name three

A

Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Verdejo

45
Q

What changed in the Rioja quality charter in 2017, regarding single varietal white wines?

A

Single varietal white wine can be made from any of the 9 authorised white grapes

46
Q

Name three modern winemaking techniques that are commonplace even in Rioja’s most traditional wineries

A

Mechanical crushing
Cap management
Temperature-controlled fermentation

47
Q

Name the unique pruning method used in Rioja and Andalucía

A

Vara y pulgar

48
Q

What is the name for grape growers in Rioja who make young red wine by semi-carbonic maceration?

A

Cosecheros

49
Q

Which zone of Rioja is particularly known for cosecheros?

A

Rioja Alavesa

50
Q

When cosecheros make wine in Rioja:
what kind of vats?
how is pressing done after alcoholic fermentation?

A

Wooden or cement (some stainless steel)
Trampled by foot

51
Q

Percentage of Rioja that is tinto?

52
Q

True/false: all Rioja is complex and aged

A

False
Anywhere from young/fresh to complex/aged

53
Q

True/false: apart from the cosecheros, carbonic maceration is not used in Rioja

A

False
Carbonic maceration is used for younger wines to be drunk immediately

54
Q

Usual type of fermentation vessel in Rioja

A

Stainless steel

55
Q

Maximum percentage white grapes in red Rioja if:
destemmed
whole clusters

A

5% destemmed
15% whole clusters

56
Q

Usual barrel type for aged Rioja

A

American oak
Experiments with French

57
Q

What proportion of red Rioja is barrel aged?

58
Q

Blanco in Rioja must contain what minimum proportion of the nine authorised white grapes? As single or blend?

A

100%
Either single or blend

59
Q

Minimum red grape content of rosado in Rioja

A

25% red grapes

60
Q

True/false: in Rioja, tinto, blanco and rosado are all allowed to oak/lees age, and show an age designation on the label? Any restrictions?

A

True
Ageing of vinos blancos/rosados must have prior approval from the Consejo Regulador

61
Q

What percentage of vineyard area is found in each DOCa Rioja zone?

A

Rioja Alta 42%
Rioja Oriental 37%
Rioja Alavesa 21%

62
Q

Rioja Alavesa spans which autonomous communities?

A

Entirely within Álava province of País Vasco

63
Q

Rioja Alavesa is bordered by which topological features?

A

Foothills of Sierra de Toloño of the Sierra de Cantabria mountains (N); left bank of Ebro (S)

64
Q

True/false: Garnacha and Graciano are grown in Rioja Alavesa?

A

True
(small quantities at lower elevations)

65
Q

Most historic zone of Rioja, and why?

A

Rioja Alta
19C centre of trade with France

66
Q

Rioja Alta is bordered by which topological features?

A

Ebro (N) for most of the zone, Sierra de la Demanda of the Sistemica Ibérico (S)

67
Q

Which valley in Rioja Alta has the highest mountain peaks?

A

Oja Valley in Sierra de la Demanda

68
Q

Rioja Alta vineyards are mostly planted on what kinds of terrain?

A

River valleys
Terraces on hillsides of Sierra de la Demanda

69
Q

Which zone has the most diverse soils in Rioja? What are they?

A

Rioja Alta
N of Ebro: calcareous clays
Throughout: alluvial deposits, ferrous clays

70
Q

Most of Rioja’s oldest wineries are found where, in which town? How old?

A

Barrio de la Estación, Haro
Over 150 years

71
Q

In what year did Rioja Baja’s name change to Rioja Oriental?

72
Q

Rioja Alta spans which autonomous communities?

A

Entirely within La Rioja

73
Q

Rioja Oriental spans which autonomous communities?

A

Left bank of Ebro: Navarra
The rest: La Rioja

74
Q

Which zone has more alluvium: Rioja Alta or Rioja Oriental?

A

Rioja Oriental
(much more)

75
Q

Warmest Rioja zone?

A

Rioja Oriental

76
Q

Lowest Rioja zone?

A

Rioja Oriental

77
Q

Proportions of the two main grapes in Rioja Oriental?

A

Garnacha Tinta 44%
Tempranillo 38%

78
Q

Which wine region in Spain was first to have oversight of quality?

79
Q

Maximum white wine allowed in red aged Rioja wine?

A

5% if destemmed
15% if whole clusters

80
Q

Ageing Rioja: what are the rules about oak?

A

225L barrels (barriques)
No oak chips or staves
Uninterrupted oak ageing

81
Q

In what year did Rioja pioneer bottle seals, and what is the security seal called today?

A

1926
Rioja Trustseal

82
Q

What percentage of DOCa Rioja falls into each ageing category?

A

Genérico 40%
Crianza 40%
Reserva 18%
Gran Reserva 2%

83
Q

Which DOCa Rioja ageing categories can be made every year?

A

All except Gran Reserva which is only made in the best vintages

84
Q

What change was recently made in DOCa Rioja requirements for ageing Gran Reserva?

A

Minimum bottle ageing reduced from 36 to 24 months (allows more barrel ageing within the 60 month overall time before release)

85
Q

If a DOCa Rioja wine is labelled Viñedo Singular:
What does the brand represent?
If grapes are purchased, minimum contract period?
Minimum vine age?
Maximum yield?
How harvested?
Red tape?

A

Individual vineyard
10 year contract
35 year old vines
At least 20% below regulations
Hand-harvest
Traceable, auditable production; quality assessments

86
Q

When were each of these classifications created by the DOCa Rioja Consejo Regulador:
Viñedos Singulares?
Vinos de Municipio?
Vinos de Zona?
Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja?

A

2017
1999 (but new rules since)
1998
2017

87
Q

If a DOCa Rioja wine is labelled Vino de Municipio:
What must be located within the village stated on the label?
Maximum grape content from outside the village?
If grapes purchased, minimum contract period?

A

The winery
15%
10 years

88
Q

If a DOCa Rioja wine is labelled Vino de Zona:
Which zone is it unlikely to be from?
Maximum grape content from another zone, and minimum contract if purchased?

A

Rioja Oriental
15%, 10 years

89
Q

How would a sparkling wine producer in a cava zone within DOCa Rioja label their wine?

A

They can choose between DO Cava or Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja

90
Q

Can sparkling wine be made outside the DO Cava zone in DOCa Rioja?

A

Yes, as Espumoso de Calidad de Rioja

91
Q

Minimum sur lie ageing in DOCa Rioja for:
DO Cava
Espumoso de Calidad de Rioja
…Reserva
…Gran Añada

A

9 months
15 months
24 months
36 months (vintage labeled)

92
Q

Grape restrictions for DOCa Rioja’s Espumoso de Calidad de Rioja:
blanco
rosado

A

All authorised red and white grapes may be used.
Rosado: minimum 25% red.

93
Q

In DOCa Rioja, Espumoso de Calidad de Rioja must be produced by which method, and have an alcohol content of:

A

Método tradicional
11-13 % abv

94
Q

Which sweetness categories are permitted in DOCa Rioja for Espumoso de Calidad de Rioja

A

Only dry.
Brut Nature 0-3 g/L
Extra Brut 0-6 g/L
Brut 0-12 g/L

95
Q

Ageing requirements of DOCa Rioja (times in barrel, bottle, before release):
Genérico tinto
Genérico blanco

A

No minimum

Spanish requirements:
Joven tinto/blanco: None / None / 1st year following harvest

96
Q

Ageing requirements of DOCa Rioja (times in barrel, bottle, before release):
Crianza tinto / blanco

A

Crianza tinto: 12mth / none / 2yr from 1 Oct of harvest
Crianza blanco: 6mth / none / 2yr from 1 Oct of harvest

Spanish requirements:
Crianza tinto: 6mth / none / 24 mth
Crianza blanco: 6mth / none / 18mth

97
Q

Ageing requirements of DOCa Rioja (times in barrel, bottle, before release):
Reserva tinto
Reserva blanco

A

Reserva tinto: 12mth / 6mth / 36mth
Reserva blanco: 6mth / none / 24mth

Spanish requirements:
Reserva tinto: 12mth / none / 36mth
Reserva blanco: 6mth / none / 24mth

98
Q

Ageing requirements of DOCa Rioja (times in barrel, bottle, before release):
Gran Reserva tinto
Gran Reserva blanco

A

Gran Reserva tinto: 24mth / 24mth / 60mth
Gran Reserva blanco: 6mth / none / 48mth

Spanish requirements:
Reserva tinto: 18mth / none / 60mth
Reserva blanco: 6mth / none / 48mth (same)

99
Q

DOCa Rioja area under vine?

Spanish Wine Scholar (25 decks)

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