Rioja

Question 1

Wines have been produced in Rioja for 3,000 years since which group inhabited the Iberian Peninsula?

Answer 1

The Phoenicians

Question 2

DOCa Rioja production area covers all of the La Rioja autonomous community. True or False?

Answer 2

FALSE

Question 3

In which century was the Real Sociedad Económica de Cosecheros de Rioja created to protect Rioja’s reputation?

Answer 3

18th century (1787)

Question 4

Which two men had the greatest influence over Rioja’s wine industry in the 19th century?

Answer 4

Marqués de Murrieta, Marqués de Riscal

Question 5

La Rioja is Spain’s second smallest autonomous region. True or False?

Answer 5

TRUE (The Balearic Islands are the smallest)

Question 6

What are the three zones of DOCa Rioja?

Answer 6

Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, Rioja Oriental

Question 7

What are three topographical features that affect the climate of Rioja?

Answer 7

Mountain ranges (Sierra de la Demanda, Sierra de Cameros, Sierra de Cantabria), the Ebro River, the northern coast (Bay of Biscay)

Question 8

Why is La Rioja called the Zone of Seven Valleys?

Answer 8

There are seven tributaries which flow from the Sistema Ibérico into the Ebro River

Question 9

What is the name of the north/northwestern wind that affects Rioja?

Answer 9

Cierzo

Question 10

What are the three primary soil types in DOCa Rioja?

Answer 10

Calcareous clay, ferrous clay, alluvium

Question 11

Tempranillo, which is native to the Ebro River Valley, has always been king in Rioja. True or False?

Answer 11

FALSE (historically, Garnacha Tinta was dominant)

Question 12

Name the three common blending partners of Tempranillo in Rioja.

Answer 12

Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo (Cariñena), Graciano

Question 13

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo are authorized grapes for Rioja vino blanco. True or False?

Answer 13

TRUE

Question 14

What is “vara y pulgar?”

Answer 14

A unique pruning method (meaning “stick and thumb”) whereby production alternates from year to year

Question 15

What are “cosecheros?”

Answer 15

Grape growers who produce a young red wine using a method similar to semi-carbonic maceration

Question 16

For vino tinto, if whole bunches are used, a minimum of 95% of red grapes must be used. True or False?

Answer 16

FALSE (the minimum is 85%)

Question 17

What percentage of red varieties must be used in the production of vino rosado?

Answer 17

25%

Question 18

Which DOCa Rioja zone is the smallest?

Answer 18

Rioja Alavesa

Question 19

Which DOCa Rioja zone has the most diverse soil makeup?

Answer 19

Rioja Alta

Question 20

Which DOCa Rioja zone is the warmest and driest?

Answer 20

Rioja Oriental

Question 21

What are three requirements regarding the use of oak if a wine is to be labeled Crianza, Reserva, or Gran Reserva?

Answer 21

1) 225-liter barrel, 2) no oak chips or staves, 3) time in oak must not be interrupted

Question 22

What is the regulated minimum time in bottle and time in barrel for a vino tinto Gran Reserva in Rioja?

Answer 22

24 months in each

Question 23

What is the minimum time before release for a Rioja Reserva vino blanco or vino rosado?

Answer 23

24 months

Question 24

What is the name of the Rioja wine label “security system?”

Answer 24

Rioja Trustseal

Question 25

For a wine to be considered “Viñedos Singulares,” the vines must be at least how old?

Answer 25

35 years

Question 26

For a wine to be considered as “Viñedos Singulares,” yields should be what percentage lower than standard yields?

Answer 26

At least 20%

Question 27

For “Vinos de Municipio,” what percentage of grapes may come from a neighboring village?

Answer 27

Up to 15%

Question 28

For “Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja,” what is the lees aging time for the Reserva category?

Answer 28

24 months

Question 29

For “Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja,” which three sweetness categories are authorized?

Answer 29

Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut

Question 30

A Rioja sparkling wine labeled “Gran Añada” must have a minimum of how many months sur-lie?

Answer 30

36 months

Question 31

Gran Añada sparkling wines are vintage only. True or False?

Answer 31

TRUE