Rioja

Question 1

For “Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja,” what three sweetness categories are allowed?

Answer 1

Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut

Question 2

What is the name of the Rioja wine label “security system”?

Answer 2

Rioja Trustseal

Question 3

Which DOCa Rioja zone has the highest average temperatures?

Answer 3

Rioja Oriental

Question 4

What is the regulated minimum time in bottle and time in barrel for tinto Gran Reserva?

Answer 4

24 months for each

Question 5

Why is La Rioja called the Zone of Seven Valleys?

Answer 5

There are seven tributaries which flow from the Sistema Ibérico into the Ebro River.

Question 6

What are the three types of soils of Rioja?

Answer 6

Calcareous clay, ferrous clay, alluvium

Question 7

Wines have been produced in Rioja for 3000 years since who inhabited the Iberian peninsula?

Answer 7

The Phoenicians.

Question 8

Name the three common blending partners of Tempranillo in Rioja.

Answer 8

Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo (Cariñena), Graciano

Question 9

What are three topographical features that affect the climate of Rioja?

Answer 9

Mountains, the Ebro River, the northern coast.

Question 10

What are the three zones of DOCa Rioja?

Answer 10

Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, and Rioja Oriental

Question 11

What is the minimum time before release for blanco or rosado Reserva?

Answer 11

24 months

Question 12

Aside from Viura, what are 3 of the more prominent non-indigenous and authorized white grapes for Rioja vinos blancos?

Answer 12

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo

Question 13

What percentage of red varieties must be used for vinos rosados?

Answer 13

25%

Question 14

What is “vara y pulgar”?

Answer 14

A unique pruning method translated as “stick and thumb”. Stick 7-8 buds, thumb 1-2 buds

Question 15

For a wine to be considered as “Vinedos Singulares,” yields should be what percentage lower than standard yields?

Answer 15

20%

Question 16

Where does La Rioja rank in area size as an autonomous region in Spain?

Answer 16

2nd smallest. Balearic islands are the smallest

Question 17

For a wine to be considered “Vinedos Singulares,” how old must vines be?

Answer 17

at least 35 years old

Question 18

For “Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja,” what is the minimum lees aging time for the Reserva category?

Answer 18

24 months

Question 19

Which two men had great influence over Rioja’s wine industry in the 19th Century?

Answer 19

Marqués de Murrieta and Marqués de Riscal.

Question 20

What areas does DOCa Rioja production area covers?

Answer 20

Part of La Rioja, section of Alvara in Pais Vasco and section of Navarra (Left Bank)

Question 21

Name the north/northwestern wind that pummels La Rioja.

Answer 21

Cierzo

Question 22

For “Vinos de Municipio,” what percentage of grapes can come from a neighboring village?

Answer 22

Up to 15%

Question 23

Name two mountain ranges in the north of La Rioja.

Answer 23

Montes Obarenes and the Sierra de Toloño (part of Sierra de Cantabria)

Question 24

Which DOCa Rioja zone has the most diverse soil makeup?

Answer 24

Rioja Alta

Question 25

In which century was the Real Sociedad Económica de Cosecheros de Rioja created to protect La Rioja's reputation?

Answer 25

18th

Question 26

What percentage of white grapes are allowed in a red blend if using whole bunches?

Answer 26

Up to 15%

Question 27

What are three requirements about oak if a wine is to be labeled Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva?

Answer 27

225 l in size, no oak chips or staves, time in oak must not be interrupted.

Question 28

What are "cosecheros"?

Answer 28

Grape growers who produce a young red wine using a method similar to semi-carbonic maceration.

Question 29

Tempranillo, which is native to the Ebro River Valley, has always been king in Rioja. True or False?

Answer 29

False. It fell out of favor when French winemakers arrive. Garnacha was even more widely planted

Question 30

Which DOCa Rioja zone is the smallest?

Answer 30

Rioja Alavesa

Question 31

Portions of DOCa Rioja spill over into

Answer 31

Pais Vasco and Navarra

Question 32

What is unique about each Rioja wine-producing zone has based on their proximity to the mountains, the Ebro river or the northern coast?

Answer 32

Each zone has a unique mesoclimate

Question 33

Which zones receive some maritime influence from the Bay of Biscay?

Answer 33

Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta

Question 34

What is the warmest zone?

Answer 34

Rioja Oriental

Question 35

What influences Rioja Oriental?

Answer 35

Mediterranean Sea

Question 36

Rioja is Bordered to the north by which mountain ranges?

Answer 36

Montes Obarenes and Sierra de Toloño (part of the larger Sierra de Cantabria)

Question 37

Sierra de Cantabria separates Rioja Alavesa from______

Answer 37

The remainder of the Alava province of País Vasco.

Question 38

Rioja is Bordered to the south by which mountain ranges?

Answer 38

Sierra de la Demanda (part of Sistema Iberico) and Sierra de Cameros

Question 39

What is La Rioja’s highest peak?

Answer 39

Monte San Lorenzo (part of Sierra de la Demanda)

Question 40

What is the Cierzo?

Answer 40

A powerful wind that appears during autumn and/or winter.

Question 41

Where is the Cierzo most dominant?

Answer 41

Rioja Oriental

Question 42

Does the Cierzo benefit the vineyards?

Answer 42

Yes, by moderating temperatures and chasing away humidity

Question 43

Where are most Garnacha plantings?

Answer 43

Rioja Oriental

Question 44

What is the dominant grape?

Answer 44

Tempranillo

Question 45

Primary white grape in Rioja

Answer 45

Viura (Macabeo)

Question 46

Vinos rosados are primarily made with?

Answer 46

Garnacha tinta

Question 47

What Rioja region occupies a small portion within Navarra?

Answer 47

Rioja Oriental

Question 48

What Rioja region occupies a portion in Álava province within Pais Vasco?

Answer 48

Rioja Alavesa

Question 49

What region is entirely with in La Rioja?

Answer 49

Rioja Alta

Question 50

To be labeled Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva wines must

Answer 50

Oak barrels must be 225-liter (barriques) No oak chips/staves Aged blanco and rosado require approval No interruption in ageing White is red blends to <5% for destemmed grapes and <15% for whole clusters

Question 51

Four age labels within Rioja

Answer 51

Generico Crianza Reserva Grand Reserva

Question 52

What is Generico?

Answer 52

Designation that guarantees origin and vintage only.

Question 53

What age requirement for Genericos?

Answer 53

none

Question 54

What aged Rioja wines are released in their third year?

Answer 54

Crianza

Question 55

What are the aging requirements for Crianza tintos?

Answer 55

12m in barrel and a few months in bottle for tintos. | 6m in barrel for Blancos and rosados

Question 56

What are Reserva tinto aging requirements?

Answer 56

12 barrel / 6 bottle / 36m total

Question 57

When are Grand Reserva typically produced?

Answer 57

Only best vintage years

Question 58

Grand Reserva tintos aging requirements?

Answer 58

24m oak / 24m bottle / 60m total

Question 59

What are Viñedos Singulares?

Answer 59

Classification to highlight the diversity in terroir, individual vineyards.

Question 60

What are the criteria that must be met for viñedos singulares?

Answer 60

``` 35 year old vines 10 year contract Balanced vines & vigor 20% lower yields Hand Harvest Production must be transparent and traceable Wines must undergo quality assessments ```

Question 61

What is a Vino de Municipio?

Answer 61

Wineries that have been allowed to reference a village in the label <15% from other villages allow

Question 62

What is a vino de zona in Rioja?

Answer 62

A designation that has been allowed by DOCa Rioja. Sub-zones of Rioja are on the label. Mostly Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta use this. <15% allowed

Question 63

What is the oldest bodega in Rioja?

Answer 63

Bodegas R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia

Question 64

What percentage of white grapes are allowed in a red blend if using destemmed bunches?

Answer 64

up to 5%

Question 65

What zone has the lowest elevation of vineyards?

Answer 65

Oriental