Spain - Rioja Flashcards
(25 cards)
The Ebro River and Oja River runs through what region?
Rioja - Spain
The dominate red grape in Rioja is?
Tempranillo
Location of La Rioja
North Central Spain
Rioja Climate Categories
Climate varies with the subzone
(-) Alta is continental
(-) Alavesa is the coolest and wettest
(-) Oriental is Mediterranean
La Rioja Physical Features
(-) Mountains: Foothills of the Cantabrian and Pyrenees Mountains.
(-) Bodies of Water: Ebro River
La Rioja Soil Type
Calcareous clay, ferrous clay, alluvial
What is La Rioja aged in
Rioja is traditionally aged in American oak
What winemaking technique happens in La Rioja
Carbonic maceration is common on Joven styles
La Rioja white grapes
- Viura
- Malvasia
- Garnacha Blanca
La Rioja DOCa Subzones
- Rioja Alta
- Rioja Oriental
- Rioja Alavesa
La Rioja DOCa (Red and White)
- Dry red (tinto) wines from the Tempranillo grape variety
- White (blanco) wines from the Viura grape variety
Wine label term - Viñedo Singular
Single Vineyard
Wine label term - Joven
Young wine
Aging requirements for Rioja Tinto Crianza
Min 2 years, including 1 year in oak
Aging requirements for Rioja Tinto Reserva
min 3 years, including 1 year in oak
Aging requirements for Rioja Tinto Gran Reserva
min 5 years, including 2 years in oak
Producer proprietary brand
Marqués de Riscal
Marqués de Cáceres
Finca Allende
Bodegas López de Heredia
La Rioja Alta
Wine styles of Rioja Spain
(-) Dry red wines
(-) Dry white wines
(-) Rioja Rosado (rosé)
Styles range from young and fresh to ageable
Understand the relationship between Bordeaux and Rioja during phylloxera’s devastation of France and its significance to winemaking and aging practices.
(-) Phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century was a major catalyst in the expansion and modernization of the Rioja wine industry
(-) Devastation of the French wine industry both opening up the French wine market and bringing an influx of French investment into the region
(-) Amidst devastation in the French wine industry, dozens of négociant and French winemakers, mostly from Bordeaux, traveled to the Rioja to set up wineries, where they could continue to produce wine – bringing with them extensive knowledge, techniques and experience. This ushered in a period of unprecedented growth and prosperity for the Rioja wine industry
What is the Gran Reserva
Understand that, typically, Gran Reserva is only made the best vintages.
Wine pairing for Tempranillo
Gran Riserva - Savory meats, cheeses, hamburger
Reserva - Grilled Lamb, Rotisserie Chicken
Crianza- Chorizo and Chicken
Tempranillo wines from Rioja Alavesa are mostly made in what form
Vino Joven
What is the grape characteristic of Rioja Alavesa
Freshness
What is the grape characteristic of Rioja Baja
Extract and Alcoholic Warmth
