La Rioja Flashcards

1
Q
  1. Who sailed up the Ebro in 11th century BCE and took over area?
  2. Who took over the area in 2nd century BCE?
A
  1. Phoenicians

2. Romans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q
  1. Who defeated the Romans?
  2. Who conquered in the 8th century? What was the new territory called?
  3. Who took control in the 14th century?
A
  1. Visigoths
  2. Moors, Al Andalus
  3. Kingdom of Castille
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q
  1. Who were the largest vineyard owners during the Middle Ages?
  2. What community had the first written evidence of modern day Castillan Spanish?
A
  1. Monasteries of San Millan de la Cogolla (Suso and Yuso)

2. Yuso

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q
  1. What happened in 1560?

2. What was created in 1787?

A
  1. local authorities created safeguards to protect rep of Rioja wines- no outside grapes, transport in specific vessels, branded with a seal
  2. Real Sociedad Economica de Cosecheros de Rioja (Royal Economic Society of Rioja Winegrowers)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q
  1. Which 2 men took exile in BDX during the Carlist Wars who would have great influence on winemaking on their return?
  2. What two evens in 1850s and 1860s caused Rioja to supply for wine shortages?
  3. What city did some iconic Rioja wineries move to to be closer to the train station?
A
  1. Marques de Murrieta and Marques de Riscal
  2. Powdery mildew in Galicia and Phylloxera in France
  3. Haro
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q
  1. What happened in 1925? 1926?
  2. When was Rioja recognized as an autonomous community?
  3. When did Rioja receive DOCa status?
A
  1. Rioja recognized as Designation of Origin. 1926, first governing body (Consejo Regulador) established
  2. 1982
  3. 1991
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q
  1. What borders Rioja to the north and east? SE? south and west?
  2. Capital?
A
  1. Pais Vasco/Navarra, Aragon, Castilla y Leon

2. Logrono

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q
  1. What percent of DOCa Rioja is in the autonomous area? What percent in the 2 other areas?
  2. Main climate?
  3. Which region gets less rainfall than the others?
A
  1. 69% La Rioja, 20% Pais Vasco, 11% Navarra
  2. Continental
  3. Rioja Oriental
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q
  1. What 2 mountain ranges border La Rioja to the north?
  2. What mountain ranges are to the south?
  3. What is La Rioja’s highest peak?
A
  1. Montes Obarenes and Sierra de Tolono
  2. Sierra de la Demanda, Sierra de Cameros
  3. Monte San Lorenzo (7451 ft), part of Sierra la Demanda
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q
  1. What river forms a natural border between La Rioja and most of Pais Vasco?
  2. La Rioja is sometimes called ___ which signifies the _____.
A
  1. the Ebro

2. “zone of the seven valleys”, the seven tributaries that flow from the Sistema Iberico into the Ebro River.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q
  1. What wind can pummel La Rioja. from where and where does it go?
  2. When does the wind usually appear and where?
  3. Is the wind good or bad for grapes?
A
  1. The CIerzo, blows form N/NW, through Ebro River Valley up to 62 mph
  2. Autumn, winter, Rioja Oriental
  3. Good, chases away humidity and moderates temps
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What 3 soil types in La Rioja and %?

A

Calcerous (chalky) clay 30%, Ferrous clay 25%, alluvial (45%)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q
  1. What % of plantings die tempranillo have in Rioja in the 1970s? now?
  2. What does blending tempranillo with ganarcha tinta, mazuelo (carignan), graciano typically do?
  3. Where are most garnacha tinta plantings?
  4. Typical Rioja blend is about….?
A
  1. 30% (garnacha tinta was 40%), 75% (88% red plantings)
  2. Boosts final EtOH levels
  3. Rioja Oriental (warmer)
  4. 60-80% tempranillo, 20% garnacha tinta, lesser amounts mazuelo and graciano
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q
  1. Primary white grape in Rioja?
  2. Main grape in vinos rosados?
  3. What other grapes were authorized by Consejo Regulator in 2007?
A
  1. Viura (Macabeo), 69% white plantings
  2. Garnacha tinta
  3. Chardonnay, SB, Verdejo
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q
  1. What is the Spanish name for “stick and thumb” pruning? What other area uses this extensively?
A
  1. Vara y pulgar, Andalucia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q
  1. What are the cosecheros? What area is particularly well known for this?
A
  1. grape growers producing young red wine using method similar to semi carbonic maceration. Rioja Alvesa
17
Q
  1. For Rioja red wines, what % red grapes must be used if grapes are destemmed? what if whole bunches are used?
  2. ___% of red wines in Rioja are barrel aged.
  3. Vinos blancos can be crafted from ____, vino rosados must contain a minimum of ___% of red varieties
A
  1. 95%, 85%
  2. over 50%
  3. 100% of nine authorized varieties, 25%
18
Q

Rioja Alavesa:

  1. % of total vineyard area?
  2. Elevation?
  3. Soils?
  4. Climate?
A
  1. 21%
  2. some of the highest in Rioja (1312-2625 ft)
  3. Calcerous/chalky clay with high limestone content
  4. Continental with maritime influence
19
Q

Rioja Alta:

  1. History?
  2. Elevation?
  3. Soils?
  4. Climate?
  5. % of total vineyard area?
A
  1. Most historic, center of trade with France in mid 19th century
  2. 984-2789
  3. Diverse (all 3 soil types)
  4. Continental with maritime influence
  5. 42%
20
Q

Rioja Oriental:

  1. Changed from Baja what year?
  2. Soils?
  3. Climate?
  4. Main planting?
A
  1. 2018
  2. Alluvial, ferrous clay
  3. Continental with Mediterranean influence
  4. Garnacha Tinta
21
Q

Requirements for labeling wine Crianza, Reserva, or Gran Reserva (5):

A
  1. Oak barrels must be 225L (barriques)
  2. No oak chips/staves
  3. Aging in oak must be uninterrupted
  4. Aging of vino blanco or rosado must have prior approval from Consejo REgullador
  5. If white grapes into red wine, 5% max destemmed grapes, 15% max whole clusters
22
Q

Generico:

  1. % of wines
  2. normally released ___ after harvest
A
  1. 40%

2. 1st or 2nd year

23
Q

Crianza:

  1. Normally released ___ after harvest
  2. % of wines
  3. Minimum time in barrrel
A
  1. 3rd (at least)
  2. 40%
  3. 12 months reds, 6 months whites and rosados
24
Q

Riserva:

  1. Minimum ___ before release
  2. Minimum ___ in barrel and ___ in bottle
  3. % of wines
A
  1. 36 months
  2. 12 months, 6 months
  3. 18%
25
Q
Gran Riserva tintos:
1. Minimum \_\_\_ before release
2. MInimum \_\_\_ in oak and \_\_\_ in bottle
Gran Riserva blancos and rosados
3. Minimum \_\_\_ before release, \_\_\_ in barrel
4. % of wines
A
  1. 60 months
  2. 24 months, 24 months
  3. 48 months, 6 months
  4. 2%
26
Q

What is the Rioja Trustseal?

A

Small metallic looing strip with DoCa logo and “Rioja” for guarantee of authenticity and prevent counterfeiting

27
Q

Vinedos Singulares criteria (7):

A
  1. purchased grapes minimum 10 year contract between grower, producer
  2. vines 35+ years old
  3. vines well balanced, limited vigor
  4. yields 20%+ lower than required by Consejo
  5. hand harvested
  6. production figures transparent, traceable
  7. wines undergo quality assessments
28
Q

Vinos de Municipio/Village Wines criteria (3):

A
  1. winery must be located within village on label
  2. up to 15% grapes may come from neighboring village, but requires 10+ year contract
  3. production figures transparent/traceable
29
Q

Vinos de Zona Wines criteria (2)

A
  1. up to 15% grapes may come from neighboring village, but requires 10+ year contract
  2. production figures transparent/traceab
30
Q

Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja criteria (6):

A
  1. 11-13% ABV
  2. Metado traditional
  3. Espumoso rosado minimum 25% authorized red varieties
  4. Minimum 15 month sur lie aging for general espumoso
  5. Minimum 24 month sur lie aging for Reserva
  6. Minimum 36 month sur lie aging for Gran Anada, vintage labeled
31
Q

How many sweetness levels authorized?

A

Three (Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut

32
Q

VT Valles de Sadacia:

claim to fame?

A

whites only