Spain - Rioja Flashcards
What are the 3 sub-regions of Rioja?
- Rioja Alta
- Rioja Alavesa
- Rioja Oriental
Which of the 3 sub-regions of Rioja is the smallest?
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Alta and Alavesa share what type of soil?
Calcareous Clay
What sets apart Rioja Oriental from the other two sub-regions?
It is the hottest of the 3 (Which Garnacha prefers), and has alluvial and ferrous clays
What does Viñedos Singulares indicate if found on a bottle of Rioja?
That the wine came from a single vineyard
What are the qualifications of putting Viñedos Singulares on a bottle of Rioja?
- The soil must be assessed
- The vines must be at least 35 years old
- The estate must prove that they have been working with the vineyard for at least 10 years
- The wine must pass a tasting panel
- The grapes must be hand harvested and at lower yields
Aside from Viñedos Singulares being approved, what other category was now allowed for production?
Traditional method sparkling wine, Vino Espumoso de Calidad
If producers in Rioja want to make use of the Vino Espumoso de Calidad category, what guidelines must they follow?
- Grapes must be hand harvested
- The entire wine making process must take place at the same facility
What dryness levels and grapes are allowed for Vino Espumoso de Calidad?
- Brut Nature, Extra Brut and Brut
- Viura
- Verdejo
- Malavasia
- Garnacha Blanc
- Tempranillo Blanc
- Maturana Blanc
- Turruntes
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
Where does Rioja draw its name from?
The Oja River, a tributary of the Ebro River
What are the soil characteristics of Ferrous Clay?
- Moderate content in limestone
- Ridged, reddish, hard and deep,
- Difficult to water and machine harvest
What are the main red grapes of Rioja?
- Tempranillo
- Garnacha
- Graciano
- Mazuelo
- Maturana Tinto
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Mazuelo and Maturana Tinto go by what other names?
- Mazuelo is also Carignan/Carinena
- Maturana Tinta is also Trousseau
What percentage of the plantings in Rioja are red?
91%
What are the main white grape varietals in Rioja?
- Viura
- Malavasia
- Garnacha Blanc
- Maturana Blanc
- Tempranillo Blanc
- Verdejo
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
What are the other names for Viura?
Macabeo in other regions in Spain, and Macabeu in Roussillon
True or False,
Only 225L barrels are permitted for use in Rioja?
True!
What are the minumum aging requirements for red wines from Rioja?
- Crianza: 2 years total, 1 year in oak
- Reserva: 3 years total, 1 year in oak, 6 months in bottle
- Gran Reserva: 5 years total, 2 years in oak, 2 years in bottle
What are the minumum aging requirements for white and rosado wines in Rioja?
- Crianza: 2 years, 6 months in barrel
- Reserva: 2 years, 6 months in barrel
- Gran Reserva: 4 years, 6 months in barrel
Where is the Navarra DO located in relation to Rioja?
It borders Rioja to the northeast
What are the 5 sub-regions of the Navarra DO?
- Baja Montana
- Valdizarbe
- Tierra Estella
- Ribera Alta
- Ribera Baja
Name the moderating influences to the Navarra DO
The Atlantic ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Pyrenees Mountains
What Navarro Sub-Region is the rain shadow of the Sierra del Moncayo?
Ribera Baja
What was Navarra originally famous for?
Their Rosado Wines
What are the two major grapes in Navarra?
Garnacha and Tempranillo
List all of the authorized red grape varietals for Navarra
- Tempranillo
- Garnacha Tinto
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Graciano
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Syrah
- Mazuelo
List all of the authorized white grape varietals for Navarra
- Viura
- Garnacha Blanca
- Malvasia
- Moscato de Grano Menudo
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
