Rioja Flashcards
(14 cards)
Major river of Rioja region? And her most famous tributary?
- Ebro River
— Largest river, runs through entire region from W to E - Oja River
— Namesake of the region Rio Oja
— Runs S to N
Wine making signature of Rioja?
- Long aging in American oak barrels
Aging requirements of Rioja:
- Crianza: 2 years total, 1 in oak
- Reserva: 3 years total, 1 in oak
- Gran Reserva: 5 years total, 2 in oak
Why is Manuel Quintano important to the Rioja region?
- First to bring Bordelaise techniques to Rioja and Spain
- Most importantly: aging wine in oak barrels!
What is a Comisionado?
- The Spanish term for a French merchant (nègociant)
How did odium and phylloxera affect Spanish wine culture?
- Both were reasons why the French came to Spain to either grow or buy wine.
- Phylloxera wipes out 70% of Rioja’s vines in 1901
In 1991, this region became the first to carry the official designation of DOCa
Rioja
Mountain ranges that shelter Rioja?
- Cantabrian mountains to the Northwest along the Atlantic coast
- Pyrenees mountains to the Northeast along the border with France
Three subregions of Rioja?
From West to East:
- Rioja Alta*
- Rioja Alavesa*
— Smallest and most northerly
— Basque Country
- Rioja Baja
—Previously known as Rioja Oriental
— Lowest elevation, warmest and driest
— Higher alcohol and less acidity
— Granacha grows well here
- Produce the best wine
Dominate soil type of Rioja?
Calcareous Clay mixed with:
- Limestone
- Sandstone
- Iron
White grape of Rioja?
Viura
- AKA Macabeo in other regions of Spain
Capital city of Rioja region?
Haro, Spain
Red grapes permitted in Rioja blend?
- Tempranillo
- Mazuelo (Carignan)
- Graciano
- Garnacha
- Maturana Tinta
— Must be 85% of blend unless destemmed then must be 95%
