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
Plus Six Others
What is “vara y pulgar?”
Stick and Thumb Pruning
Alternates from year to year
Vara = Stick (Cane)
Pulgar = Thumb (Spur)
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%)
(95% if Destemmed)
What percentage of red varieties must be used in the production of vino rosado?
Min. of 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
For a wine to be considered “Viñedos Singulares,” the vines must be at least how old?
35 years
For a wine to be considered as “Viñedos Singulares,” yields should be what percentage lower than standard yields?
At least 20%
For “Vinos de Municipio,” what percentage of grapes may come from a neighboring village?
Up to 15%
For “Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja,” what is the lees aging time for the Reserva category?
24 months
For “Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja,” which three sweetness categories are authorized?
Brut Nature
Extra Brut
Brut
A Rioja sparkling wine labeled “Gran Añada” must have a minimum of how many months sur-lie?
36 months
Gran Añada sparkling wines are vintage only. True or False?
TRUE
What three mountain ranges affect the climate of Rioja?
Sierra de la Demanda
Sierra de Cameros
Sierra de Cantabria
Can’t Demand Cameros
What is the Captial of Rioja?
Logroño
When did Rioja become an autonomous region?
1982
When did Rioja gain DOCa status?
1991
Key years in Rioja (5)?
1925 - DO
1926 - Consejo Regulador
1980 - Named Rioja (was Logrono)
1982 - Became Autonomous
1991 - DOCa
When was Rioja recognized as a DO?
DO in 1925
Consejo Regulador in 1926
What Rioja zone is completely within Pais Vasco?
Alavesa
What Rioja zone is shared with Navarra?
Oriental
What is the only zone of Rioja that is entirely within the borders of La Rioja?
Alta
Where is the Oja Valley?
Alta zone of Rioja
One of seven valley tributaries to the Ebro
What regions surround Rioja?
Pias Vasco - NE
Navarra - NE
Aragon - SE
Castilla y Leon - S & E
What is the highest peak in Rioja?
Monte San Lorenzo
(In Sierra de la Demanda)
Where does the Ebro originate?
Cantabria
What are the seven valleys of Rioja?
JAN COIL
Jubera
Alhama
Najerilla
Cidacos
Oja
Iregua
Leza
What is the most predominate soil of Rioja?
Alluvium
(Oriental, riverbed)
What is the most widely planted grape of Rioja (W,R,Rose)?
Viura (Macabeo) - White
Tempranillo - Red
Garnacha - Rosado
Garnacha was previously the #1 Red
How many grapes are allowed for Rioja Blanco?
One to all Nine
What Rioja zone does garnacha dominate?
Oriental (the warmest zone)
What is the order of events for Cosecheros?
Whole Grapes>
Vat/Wood>
Burst>
Alcohol Ferm.>
Foot Tramp.>
Filter>
Bottled
What Rioja zone is well-known for coscheros?
Rioja Alavesa
What are the Authorized White Grapes of Rioja?
Viura (Macabeo)
Garnacha Blanca
Tempranillo Blanco
Verdejo
Chard
Sav Blanc
Turruntés de Rioja (Albillo Mayor)
Maturana Blanca
Malvasia de Rioja
What is the most historic zone of Rioja?
Alta
What zone of Rioja has the largest vineyard plantings?
Alta
What is the hottest zone of Rioja?
Oriental (also lowest elevation)
What is Barrio de la Estación?
An enclave of Haro with a high concentration of Rioja’s oldest wineries.
What is a synonym for mazuelo?
Cariñena
What is the minimum red grape(s) used if:
- Destemmed
- Whole Cluster
- Destemmed Min. 95%
- Whole Cluster Min. 85%
What are the four ageing “levels” of Rioja?
-Generico
-Crianza
-Reserva
-Gran Reserva
What are the rules for aging Rioja if labeled Crianza-Gran Res? (Not aging time)
-225l Barrels (No chips or staves)
-Time Uniterrupted
-Blanco and Rosado MUST have
approval from Consejo Regulador
-if white added:
Destemmed Max 5%
Whole Cluster Max 15%
What does Generico guarantee?
Vintage and Origin Only
What are the ageing req. for Rioja Tinto Crianza?
Released Third Year
12 Months Oak
“0” Bottle
12-0-3(6)
What are the ageing req. for Rioja Tinto Reserva?
12 Months Oak
6 Months Bottle
36 Total Months
12-6-36
What are the ageing req. for Rioja Tinto Gran Reserva?
60 Total Months
24 Months Oak
24 Months Bottle
24-24-60
What are the ageing req. for ALL Rioja Blanco and Rosado levels?
All = 6 Months Oak, 0 Bottle
Crianza = 0 Months Total
Reserva = 24 Months Total
Gran Reserva = 48 Months Total
What percentage of Riojas fall into each aging “level”?
Generico 40%
Crianza 40%
Reserva 18%
Gran Reserva 2%
What is Vinedos Singulares?
Single Vineyard Wine Classification (2017)
What are the req. for Vinedos Sinulares?
Single Vineyard
10 Year Contract
Hand Harvested
Production Traceability
Yields at least 20% Lower than DOCa
35 Year Old Vines
What is a Vino de Municipo?
“Village” wine (1999)
What are the req. for Vino de Municipo?
Winery must be from stated Village
Min. 85% from stated Village (Max. 15% other)
10 Year Contract
Production Traceability
What is a Vino de Zona?
Wine from one of the Rioja zones (1998)
Min. 85% from stated Zone (Max. 15% other)
10 Year Contract
Production Traceability
Alavesa and Alta are most common
What is the sparkling wine of Rioja designation name?
Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja (2017)
What are the requirements for Espumosos de Rioja?
All authorized grapes are allowed
11-13% ABV
Trad. Method
Rose = Min. 25% Red Grapes
Min. 15 Months Sur Lie
Min. 24 = Reserva
Min. 36 + Vintage = Gran Anada
How much Rioja is tinto?
90%
What are the climates of Rioja?
Continental w/ some Maritime in
Alta and Alavesa
Continental w/some Mediterraean in
Orietnal
What is Valles de Sadacia?
VT (Vino de la Tierra) of Rioja
White Only
Based on two Moscatels and others
What are the two wine regions of La Rioja?
Rioja DOCa
Valles de Sadacia VT
