North Central Spain Flashcards
Name the 3 autonomías of North Central Spain.
La Rioja
Navarra
Aragón
What mountain range lies along the northeastern edge of north central Spain?
Pryrenees
The Ebro river’s source is found in what mountain range?
Cantabrian
From where does the Rioja region takes it’s name?
The Oja River, a small tributary of the Ebro
In what year was Rioja designated “Denominación de Origen Calificada”?
1991
Describe the classic style of red wines from Rioja.
Soft, muted fruit, firm acidity, vanilla, dill, cedar
How are newer/modern producers deviating from the “classic” Rioja style?
Emphasizing more extraction, darker fruit, French oak
What is the dominant red grape of Rioja?
Tempranillo
Name three common blending partner for Tempranillo in Rioja
Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano
The base 5 red grapes of Rioja must form what percentage of the blend?
85%
95% if destemmed
What is the dominant white varietal of Rioja?
Viura (Macabéo)
Name 3 other native white varietals that may be blended with Viura in Rioja.
Garnacha Blanca
Malvasia Riojano
Maturana Blanca
In what year was Maturana Tinta authorized fore use in Rioja?
2007
Name 3 grapes that are permitted at no more than 49% of the Rioja Blanca blend.
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Verdejo
What is the minimum required percentage of red grapes for Rioja rosado wines?
25%
What size casks are used for aging wines in Rioja?
225L (Barriques)
True/False: Blanco and Rosado wines have the same requirements for age designations.
True
What are the 4 levels of aging/quality used in Rioja?
Vino Joven
Crianza
Reserva
Gran Reserva
Describe the aging requirements for red Crianza wines from Rioja.
2 years total, 1 in cask
Describe the aging requirements for white and rosado Crianza wines from Rioja.
2 years total, 6 months in cask
True/False: The white and rosado Crianza and Reserva aging times are the same in Rioja.
True.
2 years total, 6 months in cask
What are the aging requirements for red Rioja Gran Reserva wines?
5 years total, 2 in cask, 3 in bottle.
What are the aging requirements for white and rosado Rioja Gran Reserva wines?
4 years total, 6 months in cask
True/False: White and rosado Rioja Crianza wines may only be aged in oak.
False. Crianza wines may be aged non-oxidatively in stainless steel
True/False: White and rosado Rioja Reserva wines may be aged in stainless steel.
False. Oak is mandatory for Reserva wines.
Name the 3 subzones of Rioja.
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Baja
Which of Rioja’s subzones is the smallest?
Rioja Alavesa
Which of Rioja’s subzones in the hottest?
Rioja Baja
Wines from Rioja Alavesa are typically released as vino joven/crianza/reserva/gran reserva?
Vino Joven
True/False: Vino Joven wines from Rioja Alavesa may be produced via carbonic maceration.
True
What type of soil characterizes Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa?
Calcareous clay
What type of soil characterizes Rioja Baja?
Ferrous clay
Alluvial soils
In which sub region of Rioja does Garnacha perform best?
Rioja Baja
Are most Rioja red wines based on a single zone/area, or are they likely to be a blend from the three sub regions?
A blend from all three regions.
Alavesa for freshness
Alta for acidity
Baja for warmth, extract
Where is Navarra in relation to Rioja?
Northeast
The regions border one another
Navarra was once famous for what style of wine?
Rosado
Today, rosado wines account for what percentage of Navarra’s production?
25%
Red wines account for what percentage of Navarra’s production?
60%
What are the two dominant red grapes of Navarra?
Garnacha
Tempranillo
What is the dominant white varietal in Navarra?
Chardonnay
Name the 5 subzones of Navarra.
Valdizarbe Baja Montaña Tierra Estrella Ribera Alta Ribera Baja
Which of Navarra’s subzones are higher in altitude?
Valdizarbe
Baja Montaña
Tierra Estrella
Which of Navarra’s subzones is the hottest?
Ribera Baja
How many DO Pago appellations are recognized in Navarra?
3
Name the DO Pago appellations from Tierra Estrella
Señorio de Arínzano
Prado Irache
Name the DO Pago appellation from Valdizarbe.
Bodegas Otazu
How many DOs are in Aragón?
4
Which of Aragóns DOs is an extension of both Ribera Baja and Rioja Baja?
Campo de Borja
Name the DO zones of Aragón
Campo de Borja
Calatayud
Cariñena
Somontano
In Campo de Borja, Garnacha accounts for what share of vineyard plantings?
2/3rds
Whites from Campo de Borja are largely based on what varietal?
Viura
In what year was Cariñena first delineated?
1932
Cariñena is the ancestral home to what grape variety?
Carignan/Mazuelo
Today, what is the dominant red grape of Cariñena?
Garnacha
What is the only DO Pago of Aragón, and where is it located?
Finca Aylés
Cariñena
In English, what does “somontano” mean?
Beneath the mountain
Where is Somontano DO located?
In the foothills of the Pyrenees
Name a local red and white grape from Somontano.
Red - Parraleta
White - Alcañón
