Rioja Aging Designations Flashcards
For red wines from Rioja with the aging designation, “Crianza,” what are the specifications?
Red crianza wines require a total two years of aging prior to release, with a minimum year in oak.*
*Rioja casks must be 225 liters—the size of a barrique.
For red wines from Rioja with the aging designation, “Reserva,” what are the specifications?
Red reserva wines are aged for three years, including one year in oak.*
*Rioja casks must be 225 liters—the size of a barrique.
For red wines from Rioja with the aging designation, “Gran Reserva,” what are the specifications?
Gran Reserva red wines must age for at least two years in cask* and two years in bottle, with a total aging of at least 60 months.
*Rioja casks must be 225 liters—the size of a barrique.
For white and rosado wines from Rioja with the aging designation, “Crianza,” what are the specifications?
Crianza wines age for eighteen months, minimum 6 months in barrel.*
*Rioja casks must be 225 liters—the size of a barrique. Producers have the option to age in a non-oxidative environment such as stainless steel for Crianza wines.
For white and rosado wines from Rioja with the aging designation, “Reserva,” what are the specifications?
Reserva wines age for two years, minimum 6 months in barrel.*
*Rioja casks must be 225 liters—the size of a barrique.
For white and rosado wines from Rioja with the aging designation, “Gran Reserva,” what are the specifications?
Gran Reserva wines age for four years, minimum 6 months in barrel.*
*Rioja casks must be 225 liters—the size of a barrique.
What are the zones which make up Rioja?
From Haro in the northwest to Alfaro in the southeast, Rioja follows the path of the Ebro through three climatically distinct subzones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja.)
What zone is the smallest of the three zones which make up Rioja?
Rioja Alavesa is the smallest, northernmost zone (it is located within Basque country) and Tempranillo here often produces vino joven wines for early consumption. Carbonic maceration may be employed for such wines.
What zone is the Southwestern zone of Rioja?
Rioja Alta is the southwestern zone, and with its slightly warmer climate the zone is capable of producing classic, ageworthy Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano. Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa share a similar soil structure, with a high proportion of calcareous clay.
What is the hottest subregion of Rioja?
Rioja Oriental, the hottest subregion, contains more alluvial soils and ferrous clay. Garnacha performs best in Rioja Oriental’s hot climate.
What are some common blending practices between the three different subregions of Rioja?
Many producers will source blends from all three subregions to create a base style, combining the freshness of Rioja Alavesa, the extract and alcoholic warmth of Rioja Oriental, and the acidity and structure of Rioja Alta. Others, however, prefer the typicity that results from single region and single vineyard bottlings.
Give an example of a producer who is a staunch traditionalist and believes in producing single vineyard expressions of Rioja.
Staunch traditionalist López de Heredia produces single vineyard wines from estate vineyards such as Bosconia and Tondonia; and Ysios—a modern winery renowned for its avant-garde architectural design—produces pure Tempranillo from its estate vineyards in the Rioja Alavesa region.
