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Spanish Wine Scholar > Rioja > Flashcards

Rioja Flashcards

1
Q

For “Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja,” what three sweetness categories are allowed?

A

Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut

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2
Q

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

A

Rioja Trustseal

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3
Q

Which DOCa Rioja zone has the highest average temperatures?

A

Rioja Oriental

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4
Q

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

A

24 months for each

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5
Q

Why is La Rioja called the Zone of Seven Valleys?

A

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

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6
Q

What are the three types of soils of Rioja?

A

Calcareous clay, ferrous clay, alluvium

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7
Q

Wines have been produced in Rioja for 3000 years since who inhabited the Iberian peninsula?

A

The Phoenicians.

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8
Q

Name the three common blending partners of Tempranillo in Rioja.

A

Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo (Cariñena), Graciano

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9
Q

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

A

Mountains, the Ebro River, the northern coast.

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10
Q

What are the three zones of DOCa Rioja?

A

Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, and Rioja Oriental

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11
Q

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

A

24 months

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12
Q

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo are authorized for vinos blancos by the Consejo Regulador. True or False?

A

True

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13
Q

What percentage of red varieties must be used for vinos rosados?

A

25%

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14
Q

What is “vara y pulgar”?

A

A unique pruning method translated as “stick and thumb”.

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15
Q

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

A

20%

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16
Q

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

A

True. Balearic islands are the smallest

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17
Q

For a wine to be considered “Vinedos Singulares,” how old must vines be?

A

at least 35 years old

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18
Q

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

A

24 months

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19
Q

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

A

Marqués de Murrieta and Marqués de Riscal.

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20
Q

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

A

False

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21
Q

Name the north/northwestern wind that pummels La Rioja.

A

Cierzo

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22
Q

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

A

Up to 15%

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23
Q

Name two mountain ranges in the north of La Rioja.

A

Montes Obarenes and the Sierra de Toloño (part of Sierra de Cantabria)

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24
Q

Which DOCa Rioja zone has the most diverse soil makeup?

A

Rioja Alta

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25
Q

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

26
Q

For Rioja vinos tintos, if whole bunches are used, a minimum of 95% of red grapes must be used. True or False

A

False. 85%

27
Q

What are three requirements about oak if a wine is to be labeled Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva?

A

225 l in size, no oak chips or staves, time in oak must not be interrupted.

28
Q

What are “cosecheros”?

A

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

29
Q

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

30
Q

Which DOCa Rioja zone is the smallest?

A

Rioja Alavesa

31
Q

Portions of DOCa Rioja spill over into

A

Pais Vasco and Navarra

32
Q

T or F Each wine-producing zone has unique meso climates based on their proximity to the mountains, the Ebro river or the northern coast.

33
Q

Which zones receive some maritime influence from the Bay of Biscay?

A

Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta

34
Q

What is the warmest zone

A

Rioja Oriental

35
Q

What influences Rioja Oriental?

A

Mediterranean Sea

36
Q

Rioja is Bordered to the north by which mountain ranges?

A

Montes Obarenes and Sierra de Toloño (part of the larger Sierra de Cantabria)

37
Q

Sierra de Cantabria separates Rioja Alavesa from

A

The remainder of the Alava province of País Vasco.

38
Q

Rioja is Bordered to the south by which mountain ranges?

A

Sierra de la Demanda (part of Sistema Iberico) and Sierra de Cameros

39
Q

What is La Rioja’s highest peak?

A

Monte San Lorenzo (part of Sierra de la Demanda)

40
Q

What is the Cierzo?

A

A powerful wind that appears during autumn and/or winter.

41
Q

Where is the Cierzo most dominant?

A

Rioja Oriental

42
Q

Does the Cierzo benefit the vineyards?

A

Yes, by moderating temperatures and chasing away humidity

43
Q

Where are most Garnacha plantings?

A

Rioja Oriental

44
Q

What is the dominant grape?

A

Tempranillo

45
Q

Primary white grape in Rioja

A

Viura (Macabeo)

46
Q

Vinos rosados are primarily made with?

A

Garnacha tinta

47
Q

Rioja region with small portion within Navarra

A

Rioja Oriental

48
Q

Rioja region within Pais Vasco

A

Rioja Alavesa

49
Q

Rioja region all within Rioja

A

Rioja Alta

50
Q

To be labeled Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva wines must

A

Oak barrels must be 225-liter (barriques)
No oak chips/staves allowed
The aging of vino blanco and rosado must have prior approval from the Consejo Regulador
Time in oak, as specified by the aging category, must be interrupted.
If white grapes are incorporated into making red wine it has to be limited to 5% for destemmed grapes and 15% for whole clusters

51
Q

Four labels within Rioja

A

Generico
Crianza
Reserva
Grand Reserva

52
Q

What is Generico

A

designation that guarantees origin and vintage only.

53
Q

Age requirement for Genericos

54
Q

Wines released in their third year

55
Q

Aging requirements for Crianza tintos

A

One year in barrel and a few months in bottle for tintos. Blancos and rosados six months in bottle

56
Q

Reserva tinto aging requirements

A

Aged minimum of 36 months prior to release with 12 months minimum in barrel and six in bottle.

57
Q

When are Grand Reserva typically produced?

A

Best vintages

58
Q

Grand Reserva tintos aging requirements?

A

Vinos tintos require 60 months aging prior to release with a minimum of 24 months in oak.

59
Q

What are Viñedos Singulares?

A

classification to highlight the diversity in terroir, individual vineyards.

60
Q

criteria that must be met for viñedos singulares

A

If grapes are purchased, a min. Of 10 year contract is required between grower and producer
Vines must be 35 years old
Vines must be well-balanced with limited vigor
Yields must be at least 20% lower than the requirement by Consejo Regulador
Grapes must be hand-harvested
Production must be transparent and traceable
Wines must undergo quality assessments

61
Q

What is a Vino de Municipio?

A

Wineries that have been allowed to reference a village in the label

62
Q

What is a vino de zona in Rioja?

A

A designation that has been allowed by DOCa Rioja. Sub-zones of Rioja are on the label. Mostly Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta use this.

Spanish Wine Scholar (14 decks)

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