Spain - Rioja

Question 1

The Ebro River and Oja River runs through what region?

Answer 1

Rioja - Spain

Question 2

The dominate red grape in Rioja is?

Answer 2

Tempranillo

Question 3

Location of La Rioja

Answer 3

North Central Spain

Question 4

Rioja Climate Categories

Answer 4

(-) Cantabrian Mountains, creating a rain shadow.
(-) Continental climate
(-) Climate varies with the subzone:
Alta is continental, Alavesa is the coolest and wettest,
(-) Oriental is Mediterranean

Question 5

La Rioja Physical Features

Answer 5

(-) Mountains: Foothills of the Cantabrian and Pyrenees Mountains.
(-) Bodies of Water: Ebro River

Question 6

La Rioja Soil Type

Answer 6

Calcareous clay, ferrous clay, alluvial

Question 7

What is La Rioja aged in

Answer 7

Rioja is traditionally aged in American oak

Question 8

What winemaking technique happens in La Rioja

Answer 8

Carbonic maceration is common on Joven styles

Question 9

La Rioja white grapes

Answer 9

1. Viura
2. Malvasia
3. Garnacha Blanca

Question 10

La Rioja DOCa Subzones

Answer 10

1. Rioja Alta
2. Rioja Oriental
3. Rioja Alavesa

Question 11

La Rioja DOCa (Red and White)

Answer 11

• Dry red (tinto) wines from the Tempranillo grape variety
• White (blanco) wines from the Viura grape variety

Question 12

Wine label term - Viñedo Singular

Answer 12

Single Vineyard

Question 13

Wine label term - Joven

Answer 13

Young wine

Question 14

Aging requirements for Rioja Tinto Crianza

Answer 14

Min 2 years, including 1 year in oak

Question 15

Aging requirements for Rioja Tinto Reserva

Answer 15

min 3 years, including 1 year in oak

Question 16

Aging requirements for Rioja Tinto Gran Reserva

Answer 16

min 5 years, including 2 years in oak

Question 17

Producer proprietary brand

Answer 17

Marqués de Riscal
Marqués de Cáceres
Finca Allende
Bodegas López de Heredia
La Rioja Alta

Question 18

Wine style

Answer 18

(-) Dry red wines
(-) Dry white wines
(-) Rioja Rosado (rosé)

Styles range from young and fresh to ageable

Question 19

Understand the relationship between Bordeaux and Rioja during phylloxera’s devastation of France and its significance to winemaking and aging practices.

Answer 19

(-) Phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century was a major catalyst in the expansion and modernization of the Rioja wine industry

(-) Devastation of the French wine industry both opening up the French wine market and bringing an influx of French investment into the region

(-) Amidst devastation in the French wine industry, dozens of négociant and French winemakers, mostly from Bordeaux, traveled to the Rioja to set up wineries, where they could continue to produce wine – bringing with them extensive knowledge, techniques and experience. This ushered in a period of unprecedented growth and prosperity for the Rioja wine industry

Question 20

What is the Gran Reserva

Answer 20

Understand that, typically, Gran Reserva is only made the best vintages.

Question 21

Wine pairing

Answer 21

Gran Riserva - Savory meats, cheeses, hamburger

Reserva - Grilled Lamb, Rotisserie Chicken

Crianza- Chorizo and Chicken

Question 22

Tempranillo wines from Rioja Alavesa are mostly made in what form

Answer 22

Vino Joven

Question 23

What is the grape characteristic of Rioja Alavesa

Answer 23

Freshness

Question 24

What is the grape characteristic of Rioja Baja

Answer 24

Extract and Alcoholic Warmth

Question 25

What is the grape characteristic of Rioja Alta

Answer 25

Acidity and Structure