Rioja Flashcards
For “Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja,” what three sweetness categories are allowed?
Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut
What is the name of the Rioja wine label “security system”?
Rioja Trustseal
Which DOCa Rioja zone has the highest average temperatures?
Rioja Oriental
What is the regulated minimum time in bottle and time in barrel for tinto Gran Reserva?
24 months for each
Why is La Rioja called the Zone of Seven Valleys?
There are seven tributaries which flow from the Sistema Ibérico into the Ebro River.
What are the three types of soils of Rioja?
Calcareous clay, ferrous clay, alluvium
Wines have been produced in Rioja for 3000 years since who inhabited the Iberian peninsula?
The Phoenicians.
Name the three common blending partners of Tempranillo in Rioja.
Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo (Cariñena), Graciano
What are three topographical features that affect the climate of Rioja?
Mountains, the Ebro River, the northern coast.
What are the three zones of DOCa Rioja?
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, and Rioja Oriental
What is the minimum time before release for blanco or rosado Reserva?
24 months
Aside from Viura, what are 3 of the more prominent non-indigenous and authorized white grapes for Rioja vinos blancos?
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo
What percentage of red varieties must be used for vinos rosados?
25%
What is “vara y pulgar”?
A unique pruning method translated as “stick and thumb”. Stick 7-8 buds, thumb 1-2 buds
For a wine to be considered as “Vinedos Singulares,” yields should be what percentage lower than standard yields?
20%
Where does La Rioja rank in area size as an autonomous region in Spain?
2nd smallest. Balearic islands are the smallest
For a wine to be considered “Vinedos Singulares,” how old must vines be?
at least 35 years old
For “Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja,” what is the minimum lees aging time for the Reserva category?
24 months
Which two men had great influence over Rioja’s wine industry in the 19th Century?
Marqués de Murrieta and Marqués de Riscal.
What areas does DOCa Rioja production area covers?
Part of La Rioja, section of Alvara in Pais Vasco and section of Navarra (Left Bank)
Name the north/northwestern wind that pummels La Rioja.
Cierzo
For “Vinos de Municipio,” what percentage of grapes can come from a neighboring village?
Up to 15%
Name two mountain ranges in the north of La Rioja.
Montes Obarenes and the Sierra de Toloño (part of Sierra de Cantabria)
Which DOCa Rioja zone has the most diverse soil makeup?
Rioja Alta
In which century was the Real Sociedad Económica de Cosecheros de Rioja created to protect La Rioja’s reputation?
18th
What percentage of white grapes are allowed in a red blend if using whole bunches?
Up to 15%
What are three requirements about oak if a wine is to be labeled Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva?
225 l in size, no oak chips or staves, time in oak must not be interrupted.
What are “cosecheros”?
Grape growers who produce a young red wine using a method similar to semi-carbonic maceration.
Tempranillo, which is native to the Ebro River Valley, has always been king in Rioja. True or False?
False. It fell out of favor when French winemakers arrive. Garnacha was even more widely planted
Which DOCa Rioja zone is the smallest?
Rioja Alavesa
Portions of DOCa Rioja spill over into
Pais Vasco and Navarra
What is unique about each Rioja wine-producing zone has based on their proximity to the mountains, the Ebro river or the northern coast?
Each zone has a unique mesoclimate
Which zones receive some maritime influence from the Bay of Biscay?
Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta
What is the warmest zone?
Rioja Oriental
What influences Rioja Oriental?
Mediterranean Sea
Rioja is Bordered to the north by which mountain ranges?
Montes Obarenes and Sierra de Toloño (part of the larger Sierra de Cantabria)
Sierra de Cantabria separates Rioja Alavesa from______
The remainder of the Alava province of País Vasco.
Rioja is Bordered to the south by which mountain ranges?
Sierra de la Demanda (part of Sistema Iberico) and Sierra de Cameros
What is La Rioja’s highest peak?
Monte San Lorenzo (part of Sierra de la Demanda)
What is the Cierzo?
A powerful wind that appears during autumn and/or winter.
Where is the Cierzo most dominant?
Rioja Oriental
Does the Cierzo benefit the vineyards?
Yes, by moderating temperatures and chasing away humidity
Where are most Garnacha plantings?
Rioja Oriental
What is the dominant grape?
Tempranillo
Primary white grape in Rioja
Viura (Macabeo)
Vinos rosados are primarily made with?
Garnacha tinta
What Rioja region occupies a small portion within Navarra?
Rioja Oriental
What Rioja region occupies a portion in Álava province within Pais Vasco?
Rioja Alavesa
What region is entirely with in La Rioja?
Rioja Alta
To be labeled Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva wines must
Oak barrels must be 225-liter (barriques)
No oak chips/staves
Aged blanco and rosado require approval
No interruption in ageing
White is red blends to <5% for destemmed grapes and <15% for whole clusters
Four age labels within Rioja
Generico
Crianza
Reserva
Grand Reserva
What is Generico?
Designation that guarantees origin and vintage only.
What age requirement for Genericos?
none
What aged Rioja wines are released in their third year?
Crianza
What are the aging requirements for Crianza tintos?
12m in barrel and a few months in bottle for tintos.
6m in barrel for Blancos and rosados
What are Reserva tinto aging requirements?
12 barrel / 6 bottle / 36m total
When are Grand Reserva typically produced?
Only best vintage years
Grand Reserva tintos aging requirements?
24m oak / 24m bottle / 60m total
What are Viñedos Singulares?
Classification to highlight the diversity in terroir, individual vineyards.
What are the criteria that must be met for viñedos singulares?
35 year old vines 10 year contract Balanced vines & vigor 20% lower yields Hand Harvest Production must be transparent and traceable Wines must undergo quality assessments
What is a Vino de Municipio?
Wineries that have been allowed to reference a village in the label <15% from other villages allow
What is a vino de zona in Rioja?
A designation that has been allowed by DOCa Rioja. Sub-zones of Rioja are on the label. Mostly Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta use this. <15% allowed
What is the oldest bodega in Rioja?
Bodegas R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia
What percentage of white grapes are allowed in a red blend if using destemmed bunches?
up to 5%
What zone has the lowest elevation of vineyards?
Oriental
