North Central Spain

Question 1

What 2 mountain ranges divide France and Spain?

Answer 1

• Pyrenees Mountains to the North East

- Catabrian Mountains to the North West

Question 2

What river emerges from the western Catabrian Mountains (southeast toward the Mediterranean)?

Answer 2

The Ebro

Question 3

What is Rioja named after?

Answer 3

The Oja River

-a tributary of the Ebro

Question 4

When was Rioja classified DOCa?

Answer 4

1991

-the 1st DOCa

Question 5

Who was Gonzalo de Berceo?

Answer 5

A benedictine clergyman who wrote about Rioja wine

-the first Spanish poetry committed to paper

Question 6

Name all the authorized grapes for Rioja red wine.

Answer 6

Tempranillo
Mazuelo (Carignan)
Graciano
Garnacha
Maturana Tinta (since 2007)
-above must be 85% of the blend, 95% if destemmed

Monastrell
Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 7

Name the authorized grapes for Rioja white wine.

Answer 7

Viura (Macabeo)
Garnacha Blanca
Malvasia Riojano
Maturana Blanca

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo cannot account for more than a combined 49% of the blend

Question 8

Rosado Rioja wines require a minimum ____% of red grapes.

Answer 8

25%

Question 9

What 3 autonomias comprise North Central Spain.

Answer 9

Navarra
La Rioja
Aragon

Question 10

Describe the 3 subzones of Rioja.

Answer 10

• Rioja Alavesa-smallest, northernmost. Tempranillo with early consumption vino joven. May undergo carbonic maceration.
• Rioja Alta-warmer, classic age-worthy Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano
• Rioja Baja-hottest, Garnacha does well.

Question 11

Name the soil types of Rioja.

Answer 11

• High proportion of calcareous clay in Alta and Alavesa

- Alluvial soils and ferrous clay in Baja

Question 12

What are the aging requirements for red Rioja “Crianza”?

Answer 12

2 years, 1 year must be in oak

Question 13

What are the aging requirements for red Rioja “Reserva”?

Answer 13

3 years, 1 year must be in oak

Question 14

What are the aging requirements for red Rioja “Gran Reserva”?

Answer 14

5 years, 2 in oak and 3 in bottle

Question 15

What are the aging requirements for white and rosado Rioja wine?

Answer 15

Crianza- 2 years, may age in stainless steel
Reserva-2 years, 6 months must be in oak
Gran Reserva-4 years, 6 months must be in oak

Question 16

Navarra is historically famous for what style of wine?

Answer 16

Rosado, but today red wine accounts for 60% of production.

Question 17

Name the major red and white grape varietals of Navarra.

Answer 17

Garnacha
Tempranilla
Chardonnay (6% of vineyard acreage)

Question 18

Name the 5 subregions of Navarra

Answer 18

Valdizarbe-north
Baja Montaña-north
Tierra Estella-north
Ribera Alta-center
Ribera Baja-south (hot)

Question 19

Name 3 DO Pago of Navarra

Answer 19

Señorio de Arinzano-Tierra Estella
Prado Irache-Tierra Estella
Bodegas Otazu- Valdizarbe

Question 20

Name the 4 DOs located in Aragon along with the associated grape varietal.

Answer 20

Campo de Borja-Garnacha
Catalayud-Garnacha
Cariñena-Garnacha (ancestral home of Mazuelo 1932)
Somontano-Alcañon, Parraleta