Rioja Flashcards
Broadly describe the reputation of Rioja
Most well-known wine region
Significant producer of outstanding, super-premium wines
Many globally recognised producers
Describe the CIimate of Rioja DOCa
North of Spain, north-east of Castilla y Leon
100kms long, running north-west/south-east, 40kms wide
Protected by the Sierra de Cantabria to the north from Atlantic weather, and to the south by Sierra de la Demanda from warmer centre country climates.
The west is the higher part of the DO, generally being wetter
Eastern side gains some Mediterranean influence as the valley of Ebro opens up.
Varying aspects and soils
Mostly in the autonomous community of La Rioja, byt some in the Alava Provence of the Basque Country
Divided in to three zones; Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesea and Rioja Oriental.
Varied soils and topography across zones
Describe the Rioja Alta zone
Largest Rioja zone
South of River Ebro, west of the city Logrono
Generally continental with some maritime influence.
Low alititude alluvial soils around Ebro, relatively warm
North-West corner is cooler and wetter with calcareous clay
Southern zone has 700m altitude, cool, wet, north facing slopes, patches of ferrous clay; cooler, wetter, water retentive.
Describe the Rioja Alvasea zone
Smallest zone, west of Logrono, north of Ebro, directly corresponding to vineyards in Basque Country.
Cool, wet, similar to Northern Rioja Alta
700m abs, calcareous clay
Describe the Rioja Oriental zone
Slightly smaller than Rioja Alta, east of Logrono and north and south of Ebro.
Originally called Rioja Baja; meaning ‘low’
Northern part around River Ebro is low altitude, warmest, driest part of Rioja
Southern zone vineyards at 500-1000m in altitude; highest altitude the temps are similar to Rioja Alta & Alavesa.
Soils are mixture of calcareous clay and ferrous clay
Describe the impact of climate change on Rioja
Higher altitude vineyards more viable and desirable as producers seek freshness.
Rioja Oriental most at risk due to warmth and drought
Describe the vintage variation of Rioja
Atlantic and Mediterranean influence can be more present in some years than others.
Atlantic = cooler & wetter, Mediterranean = warmer, & drier
Producers either seek consistency with vintage variation or let wines represent vintage
Describe the vineyards in Rioja
66,000ha undervine; 50% increase since 1990 and still growing gradually
2.8m hL produced in 2021
Most vineyards are VSP trellised for mechanisation
Some old bush vines (100 years old)
Describe Tempranillo in Rioja
88% of plantings; only recent dominance as there was more Garnacha at similar volumes
Reliably large yields leading preference over Garnacha
Well suited to Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, ripens quickly even in cool clay soils
Red & black fruits, med-high tannin and acidity
Sometimes blended
Describe Garnacha in Rioja
Only 8% of plantings but second highest plantings
Well suited to warm, dry, Rioja Oriental.
Ripe strawberry fruit, lower tannin, fuller body
Describe Graciano in Rioja
Late ripening, drought resistant, small yielding
Susceptible to fungal disease
High acid and tannin, black fruit flavours
Less ripe fruit has a leafy flavour
Sometimes a single varietal
2% of black grape plantings
Describe Mazuelo in Rioja
Also known as Carinena/Carignan
High acid addition to blends
2% of black grape plantings
Describe Maturana Tinta in Rioja
Also known as Trousseau/Bastardo
Permitted variety in 2009, tiny plantings but increasing.
Describe Viura in Rioja
Also known as Macabeo/Macabeu
Most planted white grape in Rioja, 68% of white plantings, 6% total
Late budding, late ripening, susceptible to botrytis - suits warm, dry site
Nuetral, creates broad range of styles
High yeilding
Stainless steel = simple whites
Lower yields, matured in oak, producing complex, long aging wines
Describe Tempranillo Blanco in Rioja
White mutation of Tempranillo, discovered in 1988, permitted for Rioja in 2004
13% of white plantings, second most
High acid, lemon, grapefruit and pineapple flavours
