Rioja

Question 1

What is the primary river that runs through Rioja?

Answer 1

Ebro

Starts in the Cantabrian mountains and runs southwest towards the Mediterranean.

Question 2

What are the traditional blending partners for Tempranillo in Rioja DOCa?

Answer 2

Mazuelo (Carignan)

Graciano

Garnacha

Maturana Tinta (authorized in 2007)

Question 3

What is the minimum percentage required of authorized grapes for Rioja DOCa?

Answer 3

85%

95% if destemmed

Question 4

What are the principal white grapes for Rioja Blanca?

Answer 4

Viura (Macabéo)

Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

Verdejo

*Only these grapes can make up more than 50% of the blend

Question 5

What are the minimum aging requirements for Rioja DOCa?

Answer 5

Crianza: 2 years, 1 year oak

Reserva: 3 years, 1 year oak

Gran Reserva: 60 months, 2 years oak, 2 years bottle

Question 6

What is the required size for a Rioja cask?

Answer 6

225L - The size of a barrique

Question 7

What are the minimum aging requirements for Rioja blanco and rosado styles?

Answer 7

Crianza: 2 years

Reserva: 2 years

Gran Reserva: 4 years

All reqire 6 months in cask

Crianza can choose to age the remainder of time in stainless steel for a less-oxidative style.

Question 8

What are the 3 subzones of Rioja DOCa?

Answer 8

Rioja Alavesa - smallest and freshest in style - closest to Basque

Rioja Alta - Haro is located here

Rioja Oriental (Baja)

Question 9

What was the most recent legislation change to Rioja DOCa in 2017?

Answer 9

As of 2018, producers may register their Viñedos Singulares and print official single vineyard names to their labels.

To be a single vineyard, the soil needs to be assessed, the vines need to be at least 35 years age, the estate needs proof that it has been working with the vineyard for at least 10 years.

Must be hand-harvsted with lower yields.

Also added: Vino Espumoso de Calidad. Traditional method, 15 months min on lees. Brut Nature, Brut, and Extra Brut only styles.

Reserva and Gran reserva are aged 24 and 36 months.