Spain - La Rioja Flashcards
where is Rioja DOCa?
in the north of Spain astride the Rio Ebro
(named after the river Oja)
how many sub-zones are there in Rioja DOCa?
3 sub-zones:
•Rioja Alta
•Rioja Alavesa
•Rioja Oriental
what are the black grape varieties in Rioja DOCa?
•Tempranillo
•Garnacha
•Graciano
•Mazuelo (Carignan)
•Maturana Tinta
•Maturana Parda
•Monastrell
•Cabernet Sauvignon
what wines are produced in Rioja DOCa?
Tinto, Blanco, Rosado
what kind of oak barrels are used in Rioja DOCa?
mainly American oak barrels giving oak bouquet and flavour
(but now other mixture of oaks are being used as well)
what are the white grape varieties in Rioja DOCa?
principal: Viura (Macabéo)
others: (must not exceed 50% of the blend)
•Garnacha Blanca
•Chardonnay
•Sauvignon Blanc
•Verdejo
•Malvasía
•Tempranillo Blanco
•Maturana Blanca
•Turruntés (Torrontés)
how are the white Rioja like?
-could be dry or medium sweet
-old style was heavily oaked but newer styles are much fresher
wines labelled as Rioja Blanco?
100% single varietal white wines
wines labelled as Rioja with no designated origin?
blended wines from more than one zone, wines can be sold under the name of one of the three sub-zones, also under the name of one of the 145 municipalities within these sub-zones
what is Viñedos Singula?
single vineyard
•vineyard must be approved by regulatory board
•winery must have 10 years history working with the vineyard
•vines must be at least 35 years old
•grapes must be manually harvested
•100% of grapes must come from named vineyard
•wines must be produced, aged, and bottled at named winery
•the harvest of grapes destined for a single vineyard must be communicated to Consejo Regulador prior to harvest
•the arrival of this fruit, along with its weight must be entered to Tarjeta de Viticultor and submitted to Consejo Regulador for review
what is Rioja Generico?
wine is under 15 months old and has no other aging requirements
what are the aging requirements for Rioja Crianza?
•Blanco/Rosado: min 18 months, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder may be in oak, bottle or stainless steel)
•Tinto: min 2 years, including at least 1 year in oak
what are the aging requirements for Rioja Reserva?
•Blanco/Rosado: min 2 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in oak or bottle)
•Tinto: min 3 years, including at least 1 year in oak and 6 months in bottle
what are the aging requirements for Rioja Gran Reserva?
Reds only made in exceptional years
•Blanco/Rosado: min 4 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in oak or bottle)
•Tinto: min 5 years, including at least 2 years in oak and 2 years in bottle
what is Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja?
Sparkling wines
•Traditional Method
•only hand harvest
•entire process of primary fermentation to labelling post disgorgement before release must take place in same location (wine may not be relocated or transported at any time)
•no additions, colouring or filtration
•Transfer Method is allowed for bottle sizes smaller than 750ml and larger than 3L
