Rioja Flashcards
When did Benedictine monks arrive in Rioja?
11th century
When did exports of Rioja begin?
13th century
When were first regulations of Rioja implemented and what was prohibited?
Mid 16th century
Grapes from outside of Rioja were banned in wines
??? Don Manuel Quintano ???
Monk from winemaking family, visited Bdx in late 18th c, bring back techniques, barrel aging, etc. Tried to implement in Rioja but too cost prohibitive at time
Name two famous winemakers from Rioja and explain their role?
Marques de Riscal & Marques de Murrietta
Exiled in Bordeaux in Carlist Wars 19th C
brought winemaking techniques back to Rioja
-> credited with changing industry
Who did and when was wire caging created?
Marques de Riscal
in late 19th C
-> to dissuade counterfeiting
What year did Rioja get DOCa status?
1991
What is the defining topographical feature of DO Rioja?
What are the mountain ranges bordering DO Rioja?
Ebro River Basin
N - Montes Obarenes & Sierra de Toloño (part of Sierra de Cantabria)
S - Sierra de la Demanda (part of Sistema Ibérico), Sierra de Cameros
How is Rioja often called as well and why?
Zone of Seven Valleys
Tributaries running into Ebro create 7 valleys in Rioja
Name a special wind to be found in DO Rijoa and explain?
Cierzo
Strong, cool, dry wind from Bay of Biscay
anticyclone from N/NW blowing through the Ebro River basin
usually in autumn/winter - mor dominant in Rioja Oriental
Chases out humidity & slows growing season
Which subzone of DO Rijoa overlaps two autonomous regions?
Rioja Oriental
La Rioja & Navarra
Which subzone of DO Rioja is exclusively in País Vasco?
DO Rioja Alavesa
Which subzone in DO Rioja is the most planted?
DO Rioja Alta
42% of vineyard land
Is DO Cava permitted in La Rioja?
Yes
Soils in DO Rioja & subzones?
Alavesa
Chalky clay
Alta
Chalky & Ferrous clay (iron) & alluvium
Oriental
Ferrous clay & Alluvium
Highly mechanized
How is a special traing method in Rioja called? Explain.
Vara y Pulgar
“Stick and thumb”
Training alternated from year to year
Stick is cut back to rest, and becomes next years thumb, the thumb from the previous year now becomes the stick with 7-8 buds.
Grape percentages in DO Rioja
Tempranillo 80%
Garnacha Tinta 7%
Viura 6.5%
Garnacha Tinta - grape typicities
Warm climate grape
Vigorous, early budding
late ripening
Subject to downy mildew, botrytis
Red fruits
Viura - grape typicities
Macabeo as a synonym
Thick skinned
large bunches
Late budding, late ripening
Floral, aromatic
lower acid
Ages well
oxidation resistant
Joven in Rioja is now what?
Genérico
Explain - Rioja Crianza Tinto
12 months barrel
No bottle min
Min 24 months before release
Explain - Rioja Reserva Tinto
12 months barrel
6 months bottle
36 months before release
Rioja Gran Reserva Tinto
24 months barrel
24 months bottle
60 months before release
What does “Cosecha” mean?
“Harvest”
but also used as a synonym for joven or generico
Explain - Rioja Crianza Blanco/Rosado
6 months barrel
No min bottle
Min 18 months
Explain - Rioja Reserva Blanco/Rosado
6 months barrel
No min bottle
24 months before release
Explain - Rioja Gran Reserva Blanco/Rosado
6 months barrel
No min bottle
48 months before release
Zonal Classifications in DO Rioja?
Base is Genérico - no special requirements!
Vinos de Zona
any of 3 subzones
Min 85% of grapes from zone (if purchased - 10+ years running contract)
production traceability
Vinos de Municipio
144 municipalities
winery must be located within municipality
min 85% grapes from municipality (if purchased - 10+ years running contract)
production traceability
Viñedos Singulares
single vineyard designation
vines min 35 years old (if purchased - 10+ years running contract)
20% lower yields than DOCa requirement
hand harvested
production traceability
Explain the sparkling categories for DO Rioja?
Three aging designations are available for
Espumoso de Calidad de Rioja:
“General”, Reserva & Gran Añada
Método Tradicional
11-13% abv
min. of 25% of authorized red varieties must be used for rosado
aging:
General - Min 15 months sur lie
Reserva - 24 months
Gran Añada - 36 months
only allowed:
Brut Nature, Ex Brut, Brut only
DOCa Rioja wine styles
90% tinto 5% Blanco 5 % rosado
