North Central Spain

Question 1

Name the 3 autonomías of North Central Spain.

Answer 1

La Rioja
Navarra
Aragón

Question 2

What mountain range lies along the northeastern edge of north central Spain?

Answer 2

Pryrenees

Question 3

The Ebro river’s source is found in what mountain range?

Answer 3

Cantabrian

Question 4

From where does the Rioja region takes it’s name?

Answer 4

The Oja River, a small tributary of the Ebro

Question 5

In what year was Rioja designated “Denominación de Origen Calificada”?

Answer 5

1991

Question 6

Describe the classic style of red wines from Rioja.

Answer 6

Soft, muted fruit, firm acidity, vanilla, dill, cedar

Question 7

How are newer/modern producers deviating from the “classic” Rioja style?

Answer 7

Emphasizing more extraction, darker fruit, French oak

Question 8

What is the dominant red grape of Rioja?

Answer 8

Tempranillo

Question 9

Name three common blending partner for Tempranillo in Rioja

Answer 9

Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano

Question 10

The base 5 red grapes of Rioja must form what percentage of the blend?

Answer 10

85%

95% if destemmed

Question 11

What is the dominant white varietal of Rioja?

Answer 11

Viura (Macabéo)

Question 12

Name 3 other native white varietals that may be blended with Viura in Rioja.

Answer 12

Garnacha Blanca
Malvasia Riojano
Maturana Blanca

Question 13

In what year was Maturana Tinta authorized fore use in Rioja?

Answer 13

2007

Question 14

Name 3 grapes that are permitted at no more than 49% of the Rioja Blanca blend.

Answer 14

Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Verdejo

Question 15

What is the minimum required percentage of red grapes for Rioja rosado wines?

Answer 15

25%

Question 16

What size casks are used for aging wines in Rioja?

Answer 16

225L (Barriques)

Question 17

True/False: Blanco and Rosado wines have the same requirements for age designations.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

What are the 4 levels of aging/quality used in Rioja?

Answer 18

Vino Joven
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva

Question 19

Describe the aging requirements for red Crianza wines from Rioja.

Answer 19

2 years total, 1 in cask

Question 20

Describe the aging requirements for white and rosado Crianza wines from Rioja.

Answer 20

2 years total, 6 months in cask

Question 21

True/False: The white and rosado Crianza and Reserva aging times are the same in Rioja.

Answer 21

True.

2 years total, 6 months in cask

Question 22

What are the aging requirements for red Rioja Gran Reserva wines?

Answer 22

5 years total, 2 in cask, 3 in bottle.

Question 23

What are the aging requirements for white and rosado Rioja Gran Reserva wines?

Answer 23

4 years total, 6 months in cask

Question 24

True/False: White and rosado Rioja Crianza wines may only be aged in oak.

Answer 24

False. Crianza wines may be aged non-oxidatively in stainless steel

Question 25

True/False: White and rosado Rioja Reserva wines may be aged in stainless steel.

Answer 25

False. Oak is mandatory for Reserva wines.

Question 26

Name the 3 subzones of Rioja.

Answer 26

Rioja Alta Rioja Alavesa Rioja Baja

Question 27

Which of Rioja's subzones is the smallest?

Answer 27

Rioja Alavesa

Question 28

Which of Rioja's subzones in the hottest?

Answer 28

Rioja Baja

Question 29

Wines from Rioja Alavesa are typically released as vino joven/crianza/reserva/gran reserva?

Answer 29

Vino Joven

Question 30

True/False: Vino Joven wines from Rioja Alavesa may be produced via carbonic maceration.

Answer 30

True

Question 31

What type of soil characterizes Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa?

Answer 31

Calcareous clay

Question 32

What type of soil characterizes Rioja Baja?

Answer 32

Ferrous clay | Alluvial soils

Question 33

In which sub region of Rioja does Garnacha perform best?

Answer 33

Rioja Baja

Question 34

Are most Rioja red wines based on a single zone/area, or are they likely to be a blend from the three sub regions?

Answer 34

A blend from all three regions. Alavesa for freshness Alta for acidity Baja for warmth, extract

Question 35

Where is Navarra in relation to Rioja?

Answer 35

Northeast | The regions border one another

Question 36

Navarra was once famous for what style of wine?

Answer 36

Rosado

Question 37

Today, rosado wines account for what percentage of Navarra's production?

Answer 37

25%

Question 38

Red wines account for what percentage of Navarra's production?

Answer 38

60%

Question 39

What are the two dominant red grapes of Navarra?

Answer 39

Garnacha | Tempranillo

Question 40

What is the dominant white varietal in Navarra?

Answer 40

Chardonnay

Question 41

Name the 5 subzones of Navarra.

Answer 41

``` Valdizarbe Baja Montaña Tierra Estrella Ribera Alta Ribera Baja ```

Question 42

Which of Navarra's subzones are higher in altitude?

Answer 42

Valdizarbe Baja Montaña Tierra Estrella

Question 43

Which of Navarra's subzones is the hottest?

Answer 43

Ribera Baja

Question 44

How many DO Pago appellations are recognized in Navarra?

Answer 44

3

Question 45

Name the DO Pago appellations from Tierra Estrella

Answer 45

Señorio de Arínzano | Prado Irache

Question 46

Name the DO Pago appellation from Valdizarbe.

Answer 46

Bodegas Otazu

Question 47

How many DOs are in Aragón?

Answer 47

4

Question 48

Which of Aragóns DOs is an extension of both Ribera Baja and Rioja Baja?

Answer 48

Campo de Borja

Question 49

Name the DO zones of Aragón

Answer 49

Campo de Borja Calatayud Cariñena Somontano

Question 50

In Campo de Borja, Garnacha accounts for what share of vineyard plantings?

Answer 50

2/3rds

Question 51

Whites from Campo de Borja are largely based on what varietal?

Answer 51

Viura

Question 52

In what year was Cariñena first delineated?

Answer 52

1932

Question 53

Cariñena is the ancestral home to what grape variety?

Answer 53

Carignan/Mazuelo

Question 54

Today, what is the dominant red grape of Cariñena?

Answer 54

Garnacha

Question 55

What is the only DO Pago of Aragón, and where is it located?

Answer 55

Finca Aylés | Cariñena

Question 56

In English, what does "somontano" mean?

Answer 56

Beneath the mountain

Question 57

Where is Somontano DO located?

Answer 57

In the foothills of the Pyrenees

Question 58

Name a local red and white grape from Somontano.

Answer 58

Red - Parraleta | White - Alcañón