Spain - Rioja Flashcards
(53 cards)
Where is Rioja located? How large is it?
The DOCa is in the North of Spain, to the west of the main DOs of Castilla y León, and to the east of Navarra.
It’s 100km long from NW to SE, along the path of the river Ebro, and reaches approximately 40km wide in places.
What natural factors affect Riojas climate?
To the north, the Sierra de Cantabria protects Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather, and to the south the Sierra de la Demanda (part of the Sistema Ibérico, the mountain range on the north east side of the meseta) shelters vineyards from the warmer weather from the centre of the country.
By comparison, the called of the Ebro, as it flows towards the Mediterranean broadly from the NW to lower SE is relatively open, and so although far from the coast, Rioja experiences some Mediterranean influence on its E side.
What is the general topography of Rioja?
Based along the larve River Ebro, but also along its many tributaries providing a variety of aspects and soils.
Where do the vineyards of Rioja lie? How is it divided?
Most lie in the autonomous community of La Rioja, but some in the provence of Alava in the Basque Country, and a smaller number in the province of Navarra.
More notably, the region is divided into three zones, Alta, Alavesa and Oriental.
Why is the geographical division of Rioja controversial?
It’s possible to make broad generalisations on the climate of these zones but the topography and soils are generally so varied that’s its been suggested a re-mapping and renaming could be helpful.
Where is Rioja Alta located? What is the climate and topography?
The largest zone, lying predominantly to the south of the River Ebro and west of the city Logroño.
Generally continental with some maritime influences.
The area around Ebro is generally at low altitudes, and hence relatively warm, with a range of alluvial soils.
The NW corner is cooler and watter, and the soils are calcerous clay.
The southern part of the zone is at an altitude of 700m, is relatively cool and wet, and has patches of ferrous clay.
Where is Rioja Alavesa located? What is the climate and topography?
The smallest zone, W of Logroño but N of the river Ebro, directly corresponding to vineyards in the Basque country.
Relatively cool and wet, similar to the NW of Rioja Alta.
Vineyards are located up to 700m and soils are calcerous clay.
Where is Rioja Oriental located? What sparked the name change? What is the climate and topography?
Only slightly smaller than Alta, E of Logroño and N and S of the Ebro.
Originally Rioja Baja describing it being further down the Ebro, but this also means ‘low’, and was thought to spark negative connotations about the quality of the wines.
The N part around Ebro is relatively low altitude and the warmest and driest area in Rioja.
To the S, vineyards are located at 500-1000m in altitude, and at the highest altitudes, average temps can be just as cool as in Rioja Alta and Alavesa. Soils are a mix of calcerous clay and ferrous clay.
How is climate change affecting Rioja?
It has made high altitude vineyards more feasible, where previously grapes would struggle to ripen.
The area most at risk is thought to be the low lying vineyards in Oriental, which is already warm and suffers from drought.
How can you generalise vintage variation in Rioja?
It can be marked, as in any year each region may receive more or less Atlantic or Mediterranean influence.
Either way, it’s difficult to generalise vintages over such a large and varied region. Some P aim to produce a consistent product each year, achieved by blending across the region, while others choose to make wine that reflects the vintage.
What is the trajectory of plantings and production in Rioja?
Today, there’s over 64,000 ha, an increase of 50% compared to 1990, and this figure is still gradually growing.
Production is around 3m hL.
How are vines typically trained in Rioja? Why?
There’s a considerable proportion of old bush vines, some being over 100 years old.
However, since Spain joined the EU, funds became available for restructuring vineyards and now a significant proportion are trellised with VSP, making mechanisation viable.
What is the division of plantings in terms of colour in Rioja?
88% black.
What percentage of plantings does Tempranillo make up? How and why has this changed?
88% of black varieties.
This dominance is relatively recent, as 50 years ago there was greater diversity, with similar plantings of Tempranillo and Garnacha.
Tempranillos ability to produce larger yields (especially where quantity is focus) meant many Garnacha vines (especially in Oriental), we’re replanted with Tempranillo.
Once irrigation was permitted this decision was accelerated, as Garnachas suitability to drought became less important.
Nowadays, quality minded P in Oriental have begun to replant Garnacha, considered to be better suited to the warm, dry conditions than early ripening Tempranillo.
Where is Tempranillo well suited to?
Alta and Alavesa, where it is generally able to ripen even in cooler, high altitude sites with cool clay soils.
What profile does Tempranillo bring to Rioja wines?
In a blend, it’s often the dominant component, providing raspberry and black plum, with medium to (+) tannins and acidity.
Some P choose to make single varietal wines.
What role does Garnacha play in Rioja?
8% of black plantings, the second most planted.
Well suited to the warm, dry conditions of Oriental.
Contributes ripe strawberry, lower tannins, and a fuller body.
What role does Graciano play in Rioja?
Makes up just over 2% of black plantings.
Late ripening, drought resistant, produces small yields and susceptible to fungal diseases.
Contributes high acidity and tannin, and fresh black fruit to a Rioja blend.
What role does Mazuelo play in Rioja?
AKA Carignan and Cariñena.
Also makes up 2% of black plantings.
Contributes high acidity to the blend.
Very occasionally produced as a single varietal wine.
What role does Maturana Tinta play in Rioja?
AKA Trousseau.
Became permitted in 2009, and plantings are tiny but increasing.
Contributes deep purple, high acidity and fresh cranberry and blackberry.
What role does Cabernet Sauvignon play in Rioja?
Permitted, but small plantings.
What generalisation of white varieties are grown?
A range of local and international.
What role does Viura play in Rioja?
AKA Macabeo.
Accounts for 70% of white plantings (6.5% of total plantings).
Late budding, late ripening and susceptible to BBR: suited to warm dry climates.
Relatively neutral and can make a broad range of styles, when high yields and steel, simple wines for early consumption. When lower yields and oak, concentrated, complex with long ageing potential.
What role does Tempranillo Blanco play in Rioja?
The white mutation was first discovered in 1988, and became a permitted variety in 2004.
Plantings have risen quickly, and now accounts for 13% of white plantings, 2nd most planted variety.
High acidity, lemon grapefruit and pineapple.
