Rioja and Priorat

Question 1

Year that Rioja was promoted to a DOCa

Answer 1

1991

Question 2

Location of the Rioja DOCa

Answer 2

North central Spain, inland from te Cantabrian Mtns; mostly in the autonomia of La Rioja, some vineyards in Navarra and Basque Country

Question 3

River that flows through the Rioja DOCa

Answer 3

Ebro River

Question 4

Three zones of Rioja DOCa

Answer 4

Rioja Alta
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Oriental (formerly Baja)

Question 5

The high altitude, hilly area covering most of the western half of the Rioja DOCa

Answer 5

Rioja Alta

Question 6

The portion of the western half of the Rioja DOCa occupying most of the area north of the Ebro river

Answer 6

Rioja Alavesa

Question 7

The lower and flatter eastern portion of the Rioja DOCa; the hottest and driest of the zones

Answer 7

Rioja Oriental (formerly known as Rioja Baja)

Question 8

(4) Primary red grapes of the Rioja DOCa

Answer 8

Tempranillo
Garnacha
Mazuelo
Graciano

Question 9

Principal white grape variety of the Rioja DOCa

Answer 9

Viura

Question 10

Minor white grapes of the Rioja DOCa

Answer 10

Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Malvasia
Garnacha Blanca
Maturana Blanca
Verdejo

Question 11

Grape variety most often used in the production of Rioja Rose

Answer 11

Grenache/Garnacha

Question 12

Sparkling wine produced in the Rioja DOCa

Answer 12

Vino Espumoso de Calidad de Rioja DOCa

Question 13

Traditional aging vessels used in Rioja

Answer 13

225-liter American oak barrels

Question 14

“Traditional” style of red Rioja

Answer 14

Highly tanni, extensive oak aging, meant to be bottle aged for long periods, emphasis on earthiness, minerality, and leathery character

Question 15

“Modern” style of red Rioja

Answer 15

Single-vineyard, single variety, approachable at a younger age

Question 16

Minimum aging requirements for Rioja Crianza (red)

Answer 16

2 years total aging, including 12 months in oak

Question 17

Minimum aging requirements for Rioja Reserva (red)

Answer 17

3 years total aging, including 12 months in oak and 6 months in the bottle.

Question 18

Minimum aging requirements for Rioja Gran Reserva (red)

Answer 18

24 months in oak
24 months in bottle
total of 60 months

Question 19

Location of Priorato DOCa

Answer 19

In Catalonia, just inland from Barcelona, mountainous region about 18 miles from the Mediterranean

Question 20

Year that Priorato was “promoted” to DOCa

Answer 20

2009

Question 21

Principal red grapes of the Priorato DOCa

Answer 21

Garnacha

Carignan (Carinena)

Question 22

Decomposed slate soils of Priorat

Answer 22

Llicorella

Question 23

White grapes allowed for use in Priorat

Answer 23

Garnacha Blanca
Macabeo
Pedro Ximenez