Rioja Flashcards

1
Q

When did Benedictine monks arrive in Rioja?

A

11th century

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2
Q

When did exports of Rioja begin?

A

13th century

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3
Q

When were first regulations of Rioja implemented and what was prohibited?

A

Mid 16th century
Grapes from outside of Rioja were banned in wines

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4
Q

??? Don Manuel Quintano ???

A

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

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5
Q

Name two famous winemakers from Rioja and explain their role?

A

Marques de Riscal & Marques de Murrietta
Exiled in Bordeaux in Carlist Wars 19th C
brought winemaking techniques back to Rioja
-> credited with changing industry

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6
Q

Who did and when was wire caging created?

A

Marques de Riscal
in late 19th C
-> to dissuade counterfeiting

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7
Q

What year did Rioja get DOCa status?

A

1991

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8
Q

What is the defining topographical feature of DO Rioja?
What are the mountain ranges bordering DO Rioja?

A

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

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9
Q

How is Rioja often called as well and why?

A

Zone of Seven Valleys
Tributaries running into Ebro create 7 valleys in Rioja

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10
Q

Name a special wind to be found in DO Rijoa and explain?

A

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

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11
Q

Which subzone of DO Rijoa overlaps two autonomous regions?

A

Rioja Oriental
La Rioja & Navarra

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12
Q

Which subzone of DO Rioja is exclusively in País Vasco?

A

DO Rioja Alavesa

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13
Q

Which subzone in DO Rioja is the most planted?

A

DO Rioja Alta
42% of vineyard land

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14
Q

Is DO Cava permitted in La Rioja?

A

Yes

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15
Q

Soils in DO Rioja & subzones?

A

Alavesa
Chalky clay

Alta
Chalky & Ferrous clay (iron) & alluvium

Oriental
Ferrous clay & Alluvium

Highly mechanized

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16
Q

How is a special traing method in Rioja called? Explain.

A

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.

17
Q

Grape percentages in DO Rioja

A

Tempranillo 80%
Garnacha Tinta 7%

Viura 6.5%

18
Q

Garnacha Tinta - grape typicities

A

Warm climate grape
Vigorous, early budding
late ripening
Subject to downy mildew, botrytis
Red fruits

19
Q

Viura - grape typicities

A

Macabeo as a synonym
Thick skinned
large bunches
Late budding, late ripening
Floral, aromatic
lower acid
Ages well
oxidation resistant

20
Q

Joven in Rioja is now what?

21
Q

Explain - Rioja Crianza Tinto

A

12 months barrel
No bottle min
Min 24 months before release

22
Q

Explain - Rioja Reserva Tinto

A

12 months barrel
6 months bottle
36 months before release

23
Q

Rioja Gran Reserva Tinto

A

24 months barrel
24 months bottle
60 months before release

24
Q

What does “Cosecha” mean?

A

“Harvest”
but also used as a synonym for joven or generico

25
Explain - Rioja Crianza Blanco/Rosado
6 months barrel No min bottle Min 18 months
26
Explain - Rioja Reserva Blanco/Rosado
6 months barrel No min bottle 24 months before release
27
Explain - Rioja Gran Reserva Blanco/Rosado
6 months barrel No min bottle 48 months before release
28
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
29
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
30
DOCa Rioja wine styles
90% tinto 5% Blanco 5 % rosado