Spain - North Central Flashcards
Rioja
Region in the north of Spain astride the river Rio Ebro
Named after the tributary Oja
Continental climate
DOCa since 1991
Rioja sub regions
From Haro in the northwest to Alfaro in the southeast
Rioja Alta - Acidity and structure
Rioja Alavesa - Freshness
Rioja Oriental (Baja) - Alcoholic warmth
Producers source fruit from all three sub zones to create a base style
Classic style Rioja
Ageing in American oak barrels
Soft, with matured fruit, firm acidity and aromas of dill, vanilla and cedar
Modern style Rioja
More often French oak barrels
More extraction, and riper, darker fruit
Permitted red grapes
Principale grape: Tempranillo
Mazuelo (Carignan)
Graciano
Garnacha
Maturana Tinta
Min of 85% of the blend, or 95% if destemmed
Cabernet Sauvignon is often seen as a remainder blending partner
Permitted white grapes
Principale grape: Viura (Macabeo), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo are the only grapes permitted beyond 50% of the blend
Garnacha Blanca Malvasia Maturana Blanca Tempranillo Blanca Turrentes
Principal White Grapes: Viura, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo
Secondary White Grapes: Malvasía, Garnacha Blanca, Tempranillo Blanca, Maturana Blanca, Turruntés
Rioja Gran Reserva
Min of 24 months in oak and min of 24 months in bottle
Rioja Alta
Rioja Alta is the south western district and has a slightly warmer climate. It is capable of producing wines with ageing potential
Rioja Alta’s northern areas are characterized by yellow calcareous clay (arcillo-calcareo), whereas the lower slopes south of the Ebro River contain reddish, iron-rich clay soils (arcillo-ferroso).
Rioja Alavesa
Is the smallest, northern district. Tempranillo ripens early producing joven wines for early consumption. Carbonic maceration is frequently employed for these
wines
This subzone has the highest concentration of calcareous clay soils, the dominant soil type between the Cantabrian Mountains and the north bank of the Ebro River.
Rioja Oriental
Is the hottest district and contains more alluvial soils and iron rich clay, Garnacha performs best
Rioja Oriental spans the largest area of the three zones, and is defined by the land that is directly east of the Iregua River. It has some iron-rich clay, but most of the lower, flatter areas are characterized by alluvial, silty soils.
Singel region and singel estate producers
Lopez de Heredia produces singel vineyard wines from estate vineyards such as Bosconia and Tondonia
Ysios produces pure tempranillo from estate vineyards in the Alavesa region
As of 2018, producers may register their singel vineyard and print official singel vineyard names on their labels.
- Vines must be 35 years old
- Proof of working with the vineyard for min of 10 years
- Pass a tasting panel
- Hand harvesting
- Min of 20 hectoliters per hectare
Vino Espumosa Calidad category (since 2018)
- Traditional method
- Hand harvesting
- The entire process must take place at the same location
- Singel vintage and must state vintage on the label
- Min of 15 months on the lees
Brut Nature, Extra Brut and Brut styles are allowed
Reserva 24 months lees ageing
Gran Reserva 36 months lees ageing
Lopez de Heredia
Located in Rioja Alta near Haro since 1877
One of the oldest wineries in Rioja
American oak ageing no use of new oak
Famous for it’s Tondonia and Bosconia vineyards
Red: 75% Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Craciano
White: Blend of Viura and Malvasia
Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta
Located in Rioja Alta near Logrono since 1852
The winery uses mostly classic Rioja varietals such as Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Garnacha, and Graciano and employs both French barrique and American oak casks for aging.
One of its more modern efforts is a bottling called Dalmau, in which Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Tempranillo. This wine undergoes extraction and is aged in new French barrique.
Bodegas Remelluri
Rioja Alavesa since 1967
Remelluri was the first estate in Rioja to do 100% estate bottling of its wines. Its focus is on classic Rioja varieties, including Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, and Viura. In the vineyard, Remelluri employs biodynamic techniques, and natural yeasts are used for fermentation.
Bodegas y Viñedos Artadi
Rioja Alavesa since 1985
in 2015, Artadi left the Rioja DOCa, not because the Consejo Regulador was too restrictive but rather because they feel the label of “Rioja” no longer has value. They wish to focus on the precise origin of their wines—Rioja Alavesa. Despite this move, they do not intend to change anything about their production.
100% Tempranillo form singel vineyards
The Artadi vineyards, situated at elevations averaging 1,700 feet, are all dry-farmed. The vines average more than 35 years of age. Harvest is done manually and the grapes are hand-sorted prior to fermentation. Bottling takes place by gravity and the wines are unfiltered.
Bodegas Roda
Rioja Alta since 1987
Bodegas Roda takes an innovative approach to their winemaking and viticultural practices. They practice organic farming and 100% estate bottling, and grapes are harvested and sorted by hand. The fruit from each vineyard is vinified separately in large French oak vats, in order to protect the individual nuances of the diverse plots. Through the winery’s “bioclimatic” cellar, malolactic fermentation and natural stabilization of the wine happen simultaneously. The winery, which is carved into the side of a mountain, relies on gravity to carry wine down through the structure throughout the winemaking process. Bodegas Roda’s top wines spend anywhere between 12 and 18 months aging in French oak before being bottled unfiltered.
Bodegas Marqués de Riscal
Rioja Alavesa, Elciego, since 1858
Marqués de Riscal is one of the most modern estates in Rioja. Their early Cabernet Sauvignon plantings and the use of the grape in their flagship wine, Barón de Chirel, showcase the winery’s innovation and willingness to depart from tradition. Their use of oak and choice of consulting, both French, also play an important role in their style. The late Paul Pontallier of Château Margaux served as the estate’s consultant for many years.
Barón de Chirel: Primarily Tempranillo with Cabernet Sauvignon, from 80- to 110-year-old vines. Aged in French barrique for about 20 months. Only produced in exceptional vintages. Inaugural vintage 1986.
Navarra DO
Located to the northern and eastern boarders of Rioja. , Cooler to the north and a more mediterranean climate to the southeast.
Navarra sub regions
Valdizarbe
Baja Montaña Tierra Estella
Ribera Alta
Ribera Baja
Classic style Navarra
Dedicated to Garnacha
Strong, deep reds, with some similarities to Cote du Rhone wines because of its poor Chateauneuf-du-pape like soils open to Mediterranean warmth.
Modern style Navarra
Revolution of French grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. Use of French oak
Principale red varieties Navarra
Principale: Garnacha and Tempranillo
Graciano Mazuelo (Carignan) Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir Syrah
Principale white varieties Navarra
Principale: Chardonnay
Viura Malvasia Garnacha Blanca Sauvignon Blanc Moascatel de Granomenudo
DO Pago status
Senoria de Arinzano (Tierra Estella) Prado Irache (Tierra Estella) Bodegas Otazu (Valdizarbe)
Navarra Crianza Tinto
Wines must be aged for a minimum 24 months, including at least 9 months in oak (max. 330-liter capacity)
Grano Menudo
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
Camillo Castilla in Ribera Baja, south of Navarra
Alcohol content Vino de Licor Navarra
Min 15%
Max 18%
Campo de Borja DO
Situated in the district of Aragon, to the southeast of Rioja and Navarra. Near the city of Zaragoza.
High altitude
Old bush vine plantings of Garnacha
Campo de Borja authorized grape varieties
White:
Macabeo, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Moscatel de Alejandría, Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo
Red:
Garnacha, Tempranillo, Mazuela, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Garnacha Tintorera
Vendimia Tardía
Late Harvest
Campo de Borja Roble
Wines have been aged in oak (max. 600 liter capacity)
White: Min 45 days
Red: Min 90 days
Campo de Borja Vino de Licor
Wines must be aged for a min 2 years, min 18 months in oak
Calatuyud DO
Situated in the district of Aragon, to the south of Campo de Borja and. Near the city of Zaragoza.
Old bush vines of Garnacha
Home to some of Spain’s most successful co-operative exporters, notably San Gregorio.
Calatuyud “Viñas Viejas”
Old vine designation, wines must come from vineyards of at least 35 years of age
Calatayud Superior
min. 85% old vine Garnacha Tinta (min. 50 years of age)
Wines must be aged for a min. 6 months in new or second use barriques, and they may not be released prior to 10 months after the harvest date.
Calatayud Vino de Licor
Authorized grapes:
Garnacha Tinta, Macabeo, and Moscatel de Alejandria
Alcohol content:
Min 15%
Max 22%
Ageing requirement:
Min 2 years
including at least 18 months in oak
Calatayud authorized white varieties
Macabeo (Viura) Malvasía Chardonnay Garnacha Blanca Gewürztraminer Sauvignon Blanc Moscatel de Alejandria
Calatayud authorized red varieties
Bobal Cabernet Sauvignon Garnacha Tinta Mazuela Merlot Monastrell Tempranillo Syrah
Vino de Aguja
Semi-Sparkling wine
Cariñena DO
DO Cariñena of Aragon, about 50 km south of Zaragoza,
on a plateau known as the Campo de Cariñena.
Carinena Vino de Licor
Grapes:
Moscatel de Alejandría, Garnacha Tinta, and Macabeo
Alcohol content:
Min 15%
Max 22%
Carinena authorized white varieties
Chardonnay Garnacha Blanca Macabeo (Viura) Parallada Moscatel de Alejandría
Carinena authorized red varieties
Principal grape:
Garnacha Tinta
Cariñena (Mazuela) Cabernet Sauvignon Juan Ibáñez Tempranillo Monastrell Merlot Vidadillo Syrah
Moscatel Romano
Grape used for sweet moscatel in Carinena
DO Somontano
Meaning at the foot of the mountains to the south of the Pyrenees.
Sandy clay soils with a high chalk content
Continental climate, with the Pyrenees preventing exposure to the northern winds.
Temperatures fluctuate significantly between day and night
