La Rioja Flashcards
Name 3 tributaries of the Ebro River:
Oja
Najerilla
Iregua
Leza
Jubera
Cidacos
Alhama
Rioja DOCa exists in which Aunonomías?
País Vasco
La Rioja
Navarra
What are some major villages in Rioja Baja?
Alfaro
Calahorra
What are some important villages in Rioja Alavesa?
Oyón
Laguardia
Labastida
Name some important villages in Rioja Alta:
Haro
Logroño
Fuenmayor
Cenicero
San Vicente de la Sonsierra
Briones
What styles are made in Rioja DOCa?
Blanco: 100% authorized white grapes (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo combined must account for less than 50% of the blend)
Rosado: min. 25% combined Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Garnacha Tinta, Maturana Tinta and Graciano
Tinto: min. 95% authorized red grapes (if destemmed), min. 85% authorized red grapes (if whole clusters or whole berries are used)
What are the permitted vine training techniques in Rioja DOCa?
Cordon (single or double)
“en vaso” (bush vines)
“vara y pulgar”
Double Guyot (may be used for all white varieties except Viura, Malvasía, and Garnacha Blanca)
Describe the soils of Rioja Alta:
Rioja Alta’s northern areas are characterized by yellow calcareous clay (arcillo-calcareo), whereas the lower slopes south of the Ebro River contain reddish, iron-rich clay soils (arcillo-ferroso).
Describe the soils of Rioja Alavesa:
This subzone has the highest concentration of calcareous clay soils, the dominant soil type between the Cantabrian Mountains and the north bank of the Ebro River.
Describe the soils of Rioja Baja:
Rioja Baja has some iron-rich clay, but most of the lower, flatter areas in Baja are characterized by alluvial, silty soils.
What are the permitted grapes in Rioja Blanco?
Blanco: 100% authorized white grapes (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo combined must account for less than 50% of the blend)
Principal: Viura
Secondary: Malvasía, Garnacha Blanca, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Tempranillo Blanca, Maturana Blanca, Turruntés
What are the permitted grapes in Rioja Rosado?
Rosado: Min. 25% combined Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Garnacha Tinta, Maturana Tinta and Graciano
What are the permitted grapes in Rioja Tinto?
Tinto: min. 95% authorized red grapes (if destemmed), min. 85% authorized red grapes (if whole clusters or whole berries are used)
Principal Red Grape: Tempranillo
Secondary Red Grapes: Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano, Maturana Tinta
What are the minimum aging requirements for Rioja Crianza?
Crianza Blanco/Rosado: min. 2 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder may be in bottle, oak or stainless steel)
Crianza Tinto: min. 2 years, including at least 1 year in oak
What is the difference between Rioja Blanco / Rosado Crianza and Reserva / Gran Reserva?
Whereas producers may age white and rosado crianza wines in a non-oxidative environment like stainless steel, reserva wines must remain in oak or bottle for the the minimum period of aging.
