La Rioja Flashcards
What is La Rioja?
A province and 1 of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities
What is DOCA Rioja?
Wine region in Northern half of the autonomous community of La Rioja
Who originally inhabited La Rioja?
Berones, Celtiberians, Vascones
Who incorporated La Rioja into Muslim territory Al Andalus?
Moors
What was SUSO?
Enclave of Hermits 6th century
What was YUSO?
Benedictine community 11th century
They had first written evidence of Modern day Castilian Spanish.
Who went to Bordeaux to learn about viticulture?
Marques de Murrieta and Marques de Riscal
When was the province of Logrono named La Rioja?
1980
La Rioja is Spain’s — smallest Autonomous region?
2nd
Does DOCA Rioja occupy the entire autonomous community?
No
20% vines in Alava in Pais Vasco
11% in Navarra
69% sits within boundaries of La Rioja proper
What 2 zones receive maritime influence from Bay of Biscay?
Alavesa and Alta (More humid)
What is La Rioja bordered by to the North?
Montes Obarenes and Sierra de Tolono(Part of Sierra de Cantabria)
What does the Sierra de Cantabria seperate?
Rioja Alavesa from the remainder of the Alva province of Pais Vasco
What 2 mountain ranges are in the South?
Sierra de la Demanda and Sierra de Cameros
Separate La Rioja from severe climate of Meseta
Highest peak?
Monte San Lorenzo (part of Demanda)
What does La Rioja mean?
Zone of 7 valleys, signifies 7 tributaries which flow from Sistema Iberico into Ebro River
What wind effects La Rioja?
Cierzo and is dominate in Rioja Oriental
Where is Calcareous clay found?
30%, Alavesa and Alta
Steep terraces from Cordillera Cantabrica to banks of Ebro
Where is ferrous clay found?
25%, Alta and Oriental
Low mountains on right bank of Ebro
Where is alluvial found?
45%, Alta and Oriental
Banks of Ebro river
harvest is mechanized
Where did Tempranillo originate?
Upper Ebro River Valley
What is Tempranillo typically blended with?
Granacha Tinta, Mazuelo or Graciano to boost final alcohol levels
What does Granacha Tinta add?
Red fruit/alcohol
What do Mazuelo and Graciano add?
Color/tannin
1 white grape?
Viura
Rosados are mainly made from?
Granacha Tinta
In 2007 what additional white grapes did the Consejo authorize?
Chardonnay, Sauv B, Verdejo
As of 2017 single varietal wine can be made from?
Any of the 9 authorized grapes
Where are vineyards?
Along Ebro river and hillsides of mountain ranges
Pruning method?
Vara Y Pulgar (Stick and thumb)
What zone is known for Cosecheros?
Alavesa
Vino rosados must contain?
Min 25% red varieties
Vino blancos can be made from?
Any of the 9 authorized white grapes
Where is Rioja Alavesa? What is is bordered by?
Northwest of Logrono
Bordered by foothills of Sierra de Tolono range of the Sierra de Cantabria mountains
Left bank of Ebro river to South
Where is Rioja Alta? What is it bordered by?
Northwest part of La Rioja
Ebro River to N
Sierra de la Demanda of Sistema Iberico to S
Where is Rioja Oriental?
South of Ebro River, small portion in Navarra
Those on Left bank are in Navarra
Percentage of destemmed grapes for reds?
95% destemmed
85% whole bunches
If white grapes are incorporated into make of red wine what is the limit?
5% for destemmed
15% whole bunches
What does Generico gurantee?
Origin and vintage only
When is Crianza released?
3rd year at earliest
What is the Rioja trustseal?
1926, guaranteeing a wine of origin
What does Vinedos Singuleres highlight?
Diversity of terroir within Rioja region-Since 2017
What are Vinos de Municipio?
Village wines-Since 1999
What are Vinos de Zona?
Zone wines-Since 1998
What is Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja?
Quality sparkling wines of Rioja-2017
What are the aging designations for Espumosos de Calidad?
General-Min 15 months
Reserva-Min 24 months
Gran Anada-Min 36 months, vintage labeled
Requirements for Espumosos de Calidad rose?
Min 25% authorized red varieties
When will the first Espumosos de Calidad be released?
2019
Authorized Red grapes in DOCA Rioja?
Tempranillo, Granacha Tinta
Authroized White grapes in DOCA Rioja?
Viura
