Spain: Rioja Flashcards
Which DOs surround Rioja?
it is to the north-east of the main DOs in Castilla y Leon. and is bordered to the east by the DO of Navarra
Which river flows through Rioja DO?
River Ebro
How big is Rioja (km)?
100 km long running in a NW-SE direction, approx 40 km wide in places
What is north of the Rioja region and how does it affect the region?
The Sierra de Cantabria, which protects Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather.
What is south of Rioja and how does it affect the region?
The Sierra de la Demanda (part of the Sistema Iberico-the mountain range on the NE edge of the Meseta), which shelters the vineyards from weather from the warmer centre of the country.
How come the eastern side of Rioja has some Mediterranean influence?
Because the valley surrounding the. river Ebro is relatively open
Apart from within the autonomous community of La Rioja, which other provinces would you find Rioja DO wines being made?
Alava in the Basque Country and Navarra
Name the 3 Rioja zones
Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental
Why might a remapping/renaming or Rioja’s zones be advisable?
The topography and soils are really varied
Which Rioja zone is the largest?
Rioja Alta
Where is Rioja Alta?
Predominantly to the south of the river Ebro and to. the west of the city of Logrono
What is the climate in Rioja Alta?
Generally continental with some maritime influences
What’s the soil in Rioja Alta?
a range of alluvial soils near the river, NW corner has calcareous clay and the southern part of the zone has patches of ferrous clay
Whats the altitude like in Rioja Alta?
around the river Ebro is low and the southern part is 700 m
What’s the warmest part of Rioja Alta?
Around the river Ebro. It’s cooler in the NW and South
Where is Rioja Alavesa?
To the west of Logrono, North of the river Ebro.
Which is the smallest Rioja zone?
Rioja Alavesa
Whats the weather like in Rioja Alavesa?
Relatively cool and wet, similar to the NW of Rioja Alta
What’s the altitude in Rioja Alavesa?
Up to 700m
What’s the soil like in Rioja Alavesa?
Calcareous clay
Which side of the river Ebro is Rioja Oriental on?
Both!
What was Rioja Oriental’s old name?
Rioja Baja
Why did Rioja Oriental change it’s name?
The old name Baja (translates to low) was thought to draw on negative connotations
Where is the warmest, driest part of Rioja?
In Rioja Oriental around the River Ebro
What’s the altitude like in the south of Rioja Oriental?
500-1000 m
What’s the soil in Rioja Oriental?
Calcareous clay and ferrous clay
Due to climate change, which vineyards in Rioja are now more viable?
High altitude vineyards- grapes previously struggled to ripen
Which vineyards in Rioja are at most in risk from Climate Change?
The low altitude vineyards in Rioja Oriental, which is already warm and suffers from drought.
What influences vintage variation in Rioja?
Changes in Atlantic influence and Mediterranean influence.
How many hectares in Rioja?
64,000 ha
How much has vineyards land changed since 1990?
increase of 50%
How much DO Rioja wine is produced?
3 million hL
When Spain joined the EU and funds were available for restructuring, what happened in Rioja?
VSP trellising, making mechanisation more viable
__% of Rioja DO is planted to black grape varieties
90
What’s the most grown grape in Rioja?
Tempranillo
Which variety was much more popular in Rioja 50 years ago?
Garnacha
Is Tempranillo low or high yielding?
High
Why did Garnacha fall out of fashion in Rioja?
Tempranillo had higher yields, also legalisation of irrigation meant Garnacha’s suitability to drought became less important
What flavours does Tempranillo add to Rioja wines?
raspberry
black plum
med to med+ tannins and acidity
What red grapes are grown in Rioja?
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo and Maturana Tinta
In Rioja DO, Garnacha makes up ___% of black grape variety plantings
8%
Where in Rioja DO is garnacha most suited?
the warm, dry conditions of Rioja Oriental
What does Garnacha bring to Rioja blends?
ripe strawberry fruit, lower tannins and a fuller body
Describe the grape variety Graciano
Late ripening
drought resistant
small yeilds
susceptible to fungal diseases
high acidity and tannin
fresh black fruit flavours
In Rioja, what % does Graciano make up of black plantings?
2%
What is the other name for the grape Mazuelo?
Carinena or Carignan
What does Mazuelo add to a Rioja blend?
High acidity
What is Maturana Tinta also known as?
Trousseau
When did Maturana Tinta become a permitted variety in Rioja?
2009
What does Maturana Tinta add to a Rioja blend?
It contributes a deep purple colour, high acidity and fresh cranberry and blackberry flavours to the blend
What is Viura also known as?
Macabeo in Spain, Macabeu in Roussillon
What is the most planted white grape in Rioja?
Viura
Viura makes up ___% of white plantings in Rioja
70%
What are the key characteristics of Viura?
Late budding
Late ripening
Susceptible to botrytis
Neutral grape variety
Why in Rioja would you aim to plant Viura in warm, dry sites?
Susceptible to botrytis
How come Viura is able to make a wide range of styles?
Neutral grape variety
When Viura is grown at ____ yeilds and fermented in _________ it can produce simple whites for early consumption
High yeilds
Stainless steel
When was Tempranillo Blanco discovered?
1988
What is the second most planted white grape variety in Rioja?
Tempranillo Blanco
Describe the wines in Rioja made from Tempranillo Blanco
High acidity
lemon
grapefruit
pineapple
Name all the white grapes found in Rioja?
Viura, Tempranillo blanco, Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca, Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc
How are Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca typically used in Rioja?
As blending components to add a greater diversity of flavours (and acidity in the case of Garnacha Blanca) generally in oak-matured mid priced and premium wines
How are Verdejo and Sauvignon typically used in Rioja?
As single varietal wines or to lend aromas to blends with Viura, typically in inexpensive, unoaked styles
Why is blending important in Rioja?
For a variety of styles.
Blend- Grape varieties, vineyard areas, winemaking technique (in particular extraction and maturation)
Under Rioja Consejo regulations, what sized oak barrels must be used?
225 L Bariques
What are the 3 quality levels in Rioja and what are they based on?
Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva
Based on specific ageing requirements
What is the problem with the Rioja quality level categories?
Only based on ageing times, not other factors that might define quality.
What did a handful of producers do in the 1990s in Rioja?
Launched premium wines, labelled without an ageing category, so fitting into the category of ‘generic wine’,
What were the ‘vinos de autor’? What was the style of winemaking?
Wines in Rioja outside of the ageing categories from some producers in the 1990s.
Low yields and selected parcels of vines, used to make very ripe-fruited, concentrated and structured wines, aged in French Oak.
What were the Vinos de Autor a step away from, stylistically?
The wines made in the previous decade (in Rioja) that did not focus on concentration/extraction, and underwent long ageing in American oak.
In modern Rioja, what are producers doing to highlight characteristics and quality of their grapes?
Selection of harvest date (often earlier), more gentle extraction, use of old and/or larger oak vessels, or other vessels is concrete/amphorae and shorter maturation periods.
Which oak in currently the most popular choice in Rioja?
French oak
What is the structure of the industry like in Rioja?
Many small growers, relatively few wineries and a large number of co-operatives.
What do new labelling regulations in Rioja allow?
The name of the vineyard, village or zone to appear on the label
What style of winemaking technique is normally used for inexpensive Rioja white wines?
Protective (cool temps, steel)
Until relatively recently, premium white Rioja’s were made in what style?
Oxidative and oaked
What has changed about the premium white wines of Rioja in the last ten years?
Less oxidative, more balanced and fresher.
Give a tasting note for a premium white Rioja
Medium + body Medium + acidity subtle citrus smokey and nutty complexity from oak good-v good
Which 2 Rioja wineries release old bottling of white wines in the classic oxidative style?
Castillo Ygay from Marques de Murrieta and Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva from. Lopez de Heredia
What is the quality of roses like in Rioja?
Some of the highest quality and most expensive in spain
Which. grapes would be used to make a rose in Rioja?
Tempranillo or Garnacha
Why did the Consejo Regulador review their Rioja regulations in 2017?
Didn’t previously have geographical delimitations, which caused discontent amongst the growers.
Renowned producer Artadi left the DOCa.
The Basque Asociación de Bodegas de Rioja Alavesa (ABRA) proposed the creation of a separate classification of Videos de Alava
What did the 2017 Rioja regulations introduce in terms of approved labelling?
Producers who meet specifications can now label as…
Vino de Zona
Vino de Municipio
Vinedo Singular
If a Rioja producer uses a Vino de Zona on their label, what does that mean?
All* grapes must be sourced from the named zone (Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa or Rioja Oriental).
Vinification, ageing and bottling of the wine within the zone.
*there is an exception!
What is the exception for Rioja’s Vino de Zona and Vino de Municipio wines for using grapes outside of the designated area?
15% of grapes may come from a vineyard bordering the zone if there is evidence the producer has been sourcing grapes from the vineyard for 10 consecutive years.
What specifications must you follow to label in Rioja as a Vino de Municipio?
All* grapes must be sourced from the municipality (village or group of villages) named.
Vinification, ageing and bottling of the wine within the municipality.
*there is an exception!
What is a Vinedo Singular in Rioja?
Single vineyard
What are the specifications to label as a Vinedo Singular in Rioja?
All grapes from particular vineyards or estates that constitute the formal Vinedo singular.
Vinification, aging, storage and bottling must take place in the same winery.
The producer must have owned the vineyard for min. 10 years, and the vineyard must be at least 35 years old.
Hand harvested, sustainable viticulture, restrictions on pruning during the growing season.
Maximum yields are specified (actual yields not stated)
How are Vinedo Singular’s in Rioja checked?
Checks on traceability will be carried out and the wine must be authorised by a tasting panel
What must you have on the label as a Vinedo Singular in Rioja?>
Indicate the municipality and zone of production as well as the vineyard/estate and the phrase ‘Vinedo Singular’
In Rioja, wines within the traditional ageing categories must be aged in what?
oak vessels in barrels of 225 L (barriques)
In Rioja: what are the ageing times (total, in barrel and in bottle) for Crianza red and white wines?
REDS
Minimum total ageing: 24
Minimum time in barrel: 12
Minimum time in bottle: none
WHITES
Minimum total ageing: 24
Minimum time in barrel: 6
In Rioja: what are the ageing times (total, in barrel and in bottle) for Reserva red and white wines?
REDS
Minimum total ageing: 36
Minimum time in barrel: 12
Minimum time in bottle: 6
WHITES
Minimum total ageing: 24
Minimum time in barrel: 6
In Rioja: what are the ageing times (total, in barrel and in bottle) for Gran Rerserva red and white wines?
REDS
Minimum total ageing: 60
Minimum time in barrel: 24
Minimum time in bottle: 24
WHITES
Minimum total ageing: 48
Minimum time in barrel: 6
What is the minimum time stipulation for white wines in bottle in the Rioja ageing categories?
There isn’t any!
In Rioja, from what dates does the ‘ageing’ begin in terms of the ageing categories?
from 1st October the year of harvest
Over 50% of Rioja is vineyards of what size?
1 ha
What percentage of growers in Rioja sell to co-ops?
40%
What general size are the plots in Rioja?
Small!
50% = 1 ha or less
75% = 2 ha or less
Much wine made in Rioja Cooperatives is sold on to _________________?
Merchant businesses
In Rioja, the top 10 producers make up over ____% of all sales in the region
40%
Are sales of Rioja wines increasing or decreasing?
Slowly increasing
Growth in Rioja sales comes from which market?
Export markets, the domestic market has remained relatively constant
Rioja exports ___% of wine
37%
Key exports markets for Rioja are…?
Uk, Germany, USA
Which style of Rioja is most popular with the Spanish market?
Crianza
Sales of which wines in Rioja are rapidly growing?
White and rose
How is the price of Rioja in comparison to the rest of Spain and other countries?
The average bottle price of Rioja wines is substantially higher than the average bottle price of Spanish DO wines.
However, it’s much bellow those for wines from the most prestigious regions in France/Italy
What is Bodegas Familiares de Rioja?
a group of around 40 small-medium producers who promote their wines under this heading and campaign on issues that particularly effect small producers.
What is the name of a group of relatively small, first-generation producers focused on quality wines from particular vineyard sites?
Rioja ‘n’ Roll LOL
