Upper Ebro Flashcards
Year Rioja DOCa
1991
Spain’s 1st Consejo Regulador
Established in Rioja in 1926
Rioja red varieties
Tempranillo 3/4 of vineyards, Garnacha, Mazuelo (Cariñena), Graciano, Maturana Tinta (Trousseau)
Rioja white varieties
Viura, Malvasía, Garnacha Blanco
Rioja international varieties
CS, Merlto, SB, CH, may be used in blends but may only be listed as ‘other varieties’
Rioja viti
Gobelet tradtional, but wire training has resulting in alarming yield increases
Rioja yields
Reds 45 hl/ha, whites 63 hl/ha
Rioja Alta soils
Yellow calcareous clay in N, lower slopes contain reddish, iron-rich clay soils. Viura on clay, Tempranillo on iron-rich
Rioja Alavesa soils
Highest concentration of calcareous clay. This chalk producers lighter wines with more finesse
Rioja Baja soils
Iron rich clay, with alluvial, silty soils in flatter areas. Largest producer of Joven wine
Who upholds the tradition of aging whites in oak
López de Heredia, Marqués de Murrieta
Acidification allowed?
Yes
Rioja growers
20,000. Most do not have their own winemaking facilities
Number of merchant bodegas
500+. Up from 100 in 1990s
Who grows, vinifies, and markets their own wines
Contino, Remelluri
Navarra ha
11,500 ha
Navarra subzones
5 according to climate. Baja Montaña-cooler slopes close to Pyrenees. Valdizarbe-slightly warmer. Tierra Estella. Ribera Alta-center. Ribera Baja-traditionally most important
Navarra style
Large quantities of good, dry rosé from Garnacha. Sweet wines from Moscatel de Grano Menudo. Traditional reds similar to Rioja,with darker fruit/color due to IV
Navarra IV permitted?
Yes
Somontano
4,750 ha. Foothills of Central Pyrenees, in Aragón
Somontano climate
Heavy winter rains and a network of rivers and streams from the mtns keep this region green and productive, even in summer
Somotano varieties
Whites dominate. Macebeo, Alcañón, CH, GW. Reds-Temp, Garnacha, Moristel, Parraleta
Somotano producers
Bodega Pirineos, Viñas del Vero, Enate
Cariñena stats
Largest of Aragón’s 4 DOs. Attempting to break w viti/vini flaws of past. ABV reduced from min of 14% to 12% in 1990
Cariñena soils
Red/brown limestone with rocky sub soil
Cariñena varieties
Cariñena, Garnacha (better suited), Tempranillo, CS, Vidadillo. Macabeo, Garnacha Blanca, Parellada
Cariñena producers
Co-op San Valero, Solar de Urbezo, Pablo, Bioenos, Añadas, Grandes Vnos y Viñedos
Calatayud stats
5,000 ha in arid Aragón. Yields rarely above 20 hl/ha. Most grapes sold to one of 9 co-ops.
Calatayud varieties/style
Garnacha 2/3 of production, Tempranillo, IV. Heady reds, Garnacha rosé, crisp whites from Viura
Calatayud producers
El Esconcés Volante (Norrel Robertson MW), Bodegas y Viñedos del Jalón, Ateca
