Rioja Flashcards
Wines have been produced in Rioja for 3,000 years since which group inhabited the Iberian Peninsula?
The Phoenicians
DOCa Rioja production area covers all of the La Rioja autonomous community. True or False?
FALSE
In which century was the Real Sociedad Económica de Cosecheros de Rioja created to protect Rioja’s reputation?
18th century (1787)
Which two men had the greatest influence over Rioja’s wine industry in the 19th century?
Marqués de Murrieta, Marqués de Riscal
La Rioja is Spain’s second smallest autonomous region. True or False?
TRUE (The Balearic Islands are the smallest)
What are the three zones of DOCa Rioja?
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, Rioja Oriental
What are three topographical features that affect the climate of Rioja?
Mountain ranges (Sierra de la Demanda, Sierra de Cameros, Sierra de Cantabria), the Ebro River, the northern coast (Bay of Biscay)
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 is the name of the north/northwestern wind that affects Rioja?
Cierzo
What are the three primary soil types in DOCa Rioja?
Calcareous clay, ferrous clay, alluvium
Tempranillo, which is native to the Ebro River Valley, has always been king in Rioja. True or False?
FALSE (historically, Garnacha Tinta was dominant)
Name the three common blending partners of Tempranillo in Rioja.
Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo (Cariñena), Graciano
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo are authorized grapes for Rioja vino blanco. True or False?
TRUE
What is “vara y pulgar?”
A unique pruning method (meaning “stick and thumb”) whereby production alternates from year to year
What are “cosecheros?”
Grape growers who produce a young red wine using a method similar to semi-carbonic maceration
For vino tinto, if whole bunches are used, a minimum of 95% of red grapes must be used. True or False?
FALSE (the minimum is 85%)
What percentage of red varieties must be used in the production of vino rosado?
25%
Which DOCa Rioja zone is the smallest?
Rioja Alavesa
Which DOCa Rioja zone has the most diverse soil makeup?
Rioja Alta
Which DOCa Rioja zone is the warmest and driest?
Rioja Oriental
What are three requirements regarding the use of oak if a wine is to be labeled Crianza, Reserva, or Gran Reserva?
1) 225-liter barrel, 2) no oak chips or staves, 3) time in oak must not be interrupted
What is the regulated minimum time in bottle and time in barrel for a vino tinto Gran Reserva in Rioja?
24 months in each
What is the minimum time before release for a Rioja Reserva vino blanco or vino rosado?
24 months
What is the name of the Rioja wine label “security system?”
Rioja Trustseal
