La Rioja

Question 1

which mountain range forms the southern border of La Rioja

Answer 1

Sierra de la Demanda

Question 2

In which province is the wine making region of DOCa Rioja

Answer 2

La Rioja, Navarra and Pais Vasco

Question 3

Originally inhabited by Berones, Celtiberians and Vascones who invaded the Rioja region in the 11th century BC and introduced wine making

Answer 3

the phoenecians

Question 4

Once the Moors were ejected from Rioja it was historically the subject of a tug of war between which 2 christian neighbors

Answer 4

Castile and Navarra

Question 5

As far back as the 13th century AD wine was exported from La Rioja….how and to who

Answer 5

wine was brought to the ports of Bilbao and Santander and exported to the Dutch and English

Question 6

what was created in 1787 to protect the quality and reputation of Rioja wine

Answer 6

Real Sociedad Economica de Cosecheros de Rioja

Question 7

Castilian Spanish became the official language of Spain after the unification of which 2 regions in the 15th century

Answer 7

Castilla y Leon and Aragon

Question 8

During which period were the 3 Carlist wars

Answer 8

1833 to 1876

Question 9

Which 2 men took exile from the Carlist wars in Bordeau and came back to have a huge influence on Spanish wine making

Answer 9

Marques de Murrieta and Marques de Riscal

Question 10

what 2 events in the 1800s resulted in an upswing in Rioja winemaking

Answer 10

1850s powdery mildew epidemic in Galicia and phylloxera ravaged vineyards in France in the 1860s

Question 11

why did many Spanish winemakers move their operations to Haro in Rioja

Answer 11

to be closest to the new rail network linking Roija to other wine transportation destinations

Question 12

What was the province of La Rioja known as prior to 1980

Answer 12

Province of Logrono

Question 13

Rioja is bordered by which other regions

Answer 13

Pais Vasco and Navarra to the N and E. Aragon to the SE and Castilla y Leon to the S and W

Question 14

How are the vines of DOCa La Rioja split between different autonomous regions

Answer 14

69% in Rioja / 20% in Alava Pais Vasco and 11% in Navarra

Question 15

what are the 3 subdivisions of La Rioja and how do their climates compare

Answer 15

Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental

The first 2 receive some maritime influence and are slightly more humid. Rioja Oriental is warmer, slightly more arid and receives less rain

Question 16

what 2 mountain ranges border La Rioja to the North

Answer 16

Montes Obarenes and Sierra de Tolono - the latter is part of the larger Sierra de Cantabria

Question 17

what separates Rioja Alavesa from the remainder of the Alava province of Pais Vasco

Answer 17

Sierra de Cantabria

Question 18

what 2 mountain ranges are to the South of La Rioja what is their climatic effect

Answer 18

Sierra de la Demanda and the Sierra de Cameros. Separate La Rioja from the severe climate and warm winds of the Meseta

Question 19

what is La Rioja’s highest peak

Answer 19

Monte San Lorenzo at 7,500 ft

Question 20

where does the Ebro originate and which important cities in La Rioja does it flow through

Answer 20

Originates in Cantabria then flows east through Castilla y Leon before entering La Rioja. It flows through Haro, Logrono, Calaharra and Alfaro

Question 21

what is La Rioja sometimes known as what ( think rivers )

Answer 21

Land of the seven valleys signifying the 7 tributaries of the Ebro which flow from the Sistema Iberico

Question 22

what are the 7 river valleys of Rioja

Answer 22

Oja, Najerilla, Iregua, Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama

Question 23

what is the cierzo

Answer 23

A N / NW wind that blows through the Ebro river valley at speeds of 60 mph. It appears in Autumn / Winter and benefits the vineyards since it blows away humidity and moderates temperatures

Question 24

what are the 3 predominant soil types of Rioja

Answer 24

Calcareous ( chalky ) clay, Ferrous clay and Alluviums

Question 25

where are chalky clay soils found in La Rioja

Answer 25

All over Rioja Alavesa and parts of Rioja Alta nearest the Ebro

Question 26

where are ferrous clay soils found in La Rioja

Answer 26

Around the low mountains on the right bank of the Ebro and lower hillsides in Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental

Question 27

where are alluvial soils found in Rioja…what problems does this soil type present in terms of viticulture

Answer 27

throughout Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental along the banks of the Ebro and it’s tributaries. The relatively shallow top soil covers a limestone hardpan which the vine roots cannot penetrate. Vines here are therefore prone to both drought and water-logging

Question 28

true or false. The alluvial soil regions of Rioja are mountainous and hard to mechanize

Answer 28

False they are largely flat and can be easily mechanized

Question 29

what is the dominant grape of Rioja (%)

Answer 29

Tempranillo (75%) ….(85% of red grape plantings )

Question 30

what is typically blended with Tempranillo in Rioja - why ?

Answer 30

Graciano, Garnacha and Carineno ( Mazuelo ) to boost alcohol levels

Question 31

After Tempranillo what is the second most commonly planted red grape in Rioja…where is it typically planted

Answer 31

Garnacha Tinta. Planted in Rioja Oriental due to it’s warmer climate

Question 32

what is the composition of a typical Rioja blend

Answer 32

60-80% tempranillo, 20% garnacha with lesser amounts of Mazuelo and Graciano.

Question 33

what do the blending grapes of rioja add to a blend

Answer 33

Garnacha adds red fruit and alcohol. Mazuelo and Graciano add spice, color, acidity and tannin

Question 34

what grape accounts for 69% of all white grape plantings in Rioja

Answer 34

Viura ( Macabeo )