La Rioja Flashcards by Rob Findlay

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

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

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

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

Suso, Yuso
San Millán de la Cogolla

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

late 13C
Bilbao, Santander
Dutch, English

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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?

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

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

1787
Real Sociedad Económica de Cosecheros de Rioja

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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

Bordeaux
Marqués de Murrieta
Marqués de Riscal

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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?

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

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

1899

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

1925
1926

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

Harvest yields
Production volume
Ageing/barrel regimens

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In which year was Rioja awarded DOCa status?

1991

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La Rioja is bordered by…?

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

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La Rioja: capital, largest city, population

Logroño
(315k, almost 50%)

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

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

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Length, width of DOCa Rioja?

100km
40km

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Zones within DOCa Rioja?

Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Alta
Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja)

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Climate of La Rioja? Key geographical factors?

Continental
Mountains N & S
Ebro River

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Characterise the four seasons in La Rioja?

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

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

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

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Average temperature, rainfall ranges in La Rioja

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

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

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

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

Sierra de Cantabria
Sistema Ibérico

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

Rioja Alavesa
The rest of Álava in País Vasco

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

Montes Obarenes Sierra de Toloño

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

Sierra de la Demanda Sierra de Cameros

Highest peak in La Rioja, in which range?

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

Longest river in Spain?

Ebro

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

West to east: Oja Najerilla Iregua Leza Jubera Cidacos Alhama

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

Cierzo

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

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

Name the three soil types of DOCa Rioja and their prevalence

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

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?

Ferrous clay

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?

Calcareous clay

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

Alluvial

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

Vines can only root to 1m before hitting limestone hardpan

Which soil type in DOCa Rioja is most mechanised?

Alluvial (flatter)

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

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

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

Garnacha Tinta Mazuelo (Cariñena) Graciano alcohol

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

Garnacha Tinta Rioja Oriental (late ripening)

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

60-80% 20% the rest

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

Viura (Macabeo) 69% of white plantings

Main grape variety for vino rosado in Rioja?

Garnacha Tinta moderate pigment, red fruit

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

Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Verdejo

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

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

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

Mechanical crushing Cap management Temperature-controlled fermentation

Name the unique pruning method used in Rioja and Andalucía

Vara y pulgar

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

Cosecheros

Which zone of Rioja is particularly known for cosecheros?

Rioja Alavesa

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

Wooden or cement (some stainless steel) Trampled by foot

Percentage of Rioja that is tinto?

90%

True/false: all Rioja is complex and aged

False Anywhere from young/fresh to complex/aged

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

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

Usual type of fermentation vessel in Rioja

Stainless steel

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

5% destemmed 15% whole clusters

Usual barrel wood for aged Rioja

American oak Experiments with French

What proportion of red Rioja is barrel aged?

Over 50%

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

100% Either single or blend

Minimum red grape content of rosado in Rioja

25% red grapes

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?

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

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

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

Rioja Alavesa spans which autonomous communities?

Entirely within Álava province of País Vasco

Rioja Alavesa is bordered by which topological features?

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

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

True (small quantities at lower elevations)

Most historic zone of Rioja, and why?

Rioja Alta 19C centre of trade with France

Rioja Alta is bordered by which topological features?

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

Which valley in Rioja Alta has the highest mountain peaks?

Oja Valley in Sierra de la Demanda

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

River valleys Terraces on hillsides of Sierra de la Demanda

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

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

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

Barrio de la Estación, Haro Over 150 years

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

2018

Rioja Alta spans which autonomous communities?

Entirely within La Rioja

Rioja Oriental spans which autonomous communities?

Left bank of Ebro: Navarra The rest: La Rioja

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

Rioja Oriental (much more)

Warmest Rioja zone?

Rioja Oriental

Lowest Rioja zone?

Rioja Oriental

Proportions of the two main grapes in Rioja Oriental?

Garnacha Tinta 44% Tempranillo 38%

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

Rioja

Maximum white wine allowed in red aged Rioja wine?

5% if destemmed 15% if whole clusters

Ageing Rioja: what are the rules about oak?

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

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

1926 Rioja Trustseal

What percentage of DOCa Rioja falls into each ageing category?

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

Which DOCa Rioja ageing categories can be made every year?

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

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

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

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?

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

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?

2017 1999 (but new rules since) 1998 2017

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?

The winery 15% 10 years

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?

Rioja Oriental 15%, 10 years

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

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

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

Yes, as Espumoso de Calidad de Rioja

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

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

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

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

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

Método tradicional 11-13 % abv

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

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

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

No minimum ## Footnote Spanish requirements: Joven tinto/blanco: None / None / 1st year following harvest

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

Crianza tinto: 12mth / none / 2yr from 1 Oct of harvest Crianza blanco: 6mth / none / 2yr from 1 Oct of harvest ## Footnote Spanish requirements: Crianza tinto: 6mth / none / 24 mth Crianza blanco: 6mth / none / 18mth

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

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

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

Gran Reserva tinto: 24mth / 24mth / 60mth Gran Reserva blanco: 6mth / none / 48mth ## Footnote Spanish requirements: Reserva tinto: 18mth / none / 60mth Reserva blanco: 6mth / none / 48mth (same)

DOCa Rioja area under vine?

65,841 ha