Pais Vasco

Question 1

What is the DOCa of Pais Vasco?

Answer 1

Rioja DOCa

Question 2

What are the DOs of Pais Vasco?

Answer 2

Arabako Txakolina / Chacolí de Álava DO
Bizkaiko Txakolina/ Chacolí de Bizcaia DO
Getariako Txakolina / Chacolí de Guetaria DO

Question 3

within which regions does Rioja DOCa lie?

Answer 3

Pais Vasco (Alava), La Rioja, Navarra

Question 4

what are the subzones of Rioja DOCa?

Answer 4

Rioja Alta (La Rioja)
Rioja Alavesa (Pais Vasco)
Rioja Baja (Navarra)

Question 5

what styles of wine are produced in Rioja DOCa?

Answer 5

Blanco: 100% authorized white grapes (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo combined must account for less than 50% of the blend)

Rosado: min. 25% combined Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Garnacha Tinta, Maturana Tinta and Graciano

Tinto: min. 95% authorized red grapes (if destemmed), min. 85% authorized red grapes (if whole clusters or whole berries are used)

Question 6

what are the principle and authorized white grapes of Rioja DOCa?

Answer 6

Principal: Viura
Secondary: Malvasía, Garnacha Blanca, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Tempranillo Blanca, Maturana Blanca, Turruntés

Question 7

what are the principle and authorized red grapes of Rioja DOCa?

Answer 7

Principal: Tempranillo
Secondary: Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano, Maturana Tinta

Question 8

is chaptalization permitted in Rioja DOCa?

Answer 8

no

Question 9

aging requirements for Rioja DOCa blanco/rosado?

Answer 9

Crianza: min. 2 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder may be in bottle, oak or stainless steel)

Reserva: min. 2 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)

Gran Reserva: min. 4 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)

Question 10

aging requirements for Rioja DOCa tinto?

Answer 10

Crianza: min. 2 years, including at least 1 year in oak

Reserva: min. 3 years, including at least 1 year in oak

Gran Reserva: min. 24 months in oak and 36 months in bottle

Question 11

what is the minimum acquired alcohol in Rioja Alta/Alavesa for Blanco and Rosado, respectively?

Answer 11

11%

10.5%

Question 12

when was the Rioja DOCa established?

Answer 12

1991

Question 13

what are the coolest and warmest areas of Rioja and why?

Answer 13

Alavesa is the coolest, buffeted by Atlantic winds and protected by the Sierra Cantabria. Rioja Baja is the warmest, influenced by the Mediterranean.

Question 14

what towns in Rioja are the coolest and warmest, respectively?

Answer 14

Labastida in Alavesa and Alfaro in Rioja Baja

Question 15

Where is Haro?

Answer 15

Rioja Alta

Question 16

where is Logrono?

Answer 16

Rioja Alta

Question 17

Rioja DOCa is centered on what river?

Answer 17

Ebro

Question 18

what is the preferred white grape of Basque country?

Answer 18

Ondarrabi Zuri

Question 19

what is the preferred red grape of Basque country?

Answer 19

Ondarrabi Beltza

Question 20

what are the rose wines of Basque country referred to as?

Answer 20

Ojo de Gallo

Question 21

what is the primary soil type of Rioja Alta?

Answer 21

red clay

Question 22

what is the primary soil type of Rioja Alavesa?

Answer 22

Limestone

Question 23

where is the town of Fuenmayor?

Answer 23

Rioja Alta

Question 24

where is the Tiron River?

Answer 24

just north of Haro, in Rioja Alta- a tributary of the Ebro

Question 25

name three wineries near Haro?

Answer 25

Muga, Roda, CUNE, La Rioja Alta

Question 26

where is Marques de Riscal?

Answer 26

Rioja Alavesa, near Elciego

Question 27

where is Marques de Murrieta?

Answer 27

Rioja Alta, just east of Logrono

Question 28

where is Ysios? What is important about it?

Answer 28

Rioja Alavesa, wines of pure Tempranillo

Question 29

where are Remelluri, Contino, Allende and Valpiedra? What is unique about them?

Answer 29

Rioja, they are all single estate wines as opposed to the typical Rioja model of blending.

Question 30

Who makes Cirsion and what is it?

Answer 30

Bodegas Roda, a Rioja produced in top vintages from selected vines