North-Central Spain

Question 1

Rioja Tinta
Aging

Answer 1

Crianza: 2 yrs, 1 yr in oak
Reserva: 3 yrs, 1 yr in oak
Gran Reserva: 5 yrs, 2 yrs in oak, 2 yrs bottle
(Casks must be appx 225 L - size of a barrique)

Question 2

Rioja Rosado
Grapes

Answer 2

Rioja Rosado

• min 25% comb Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Garnacha Tinta, Maturana Tinta, Graciano

Question 3

Rioja Blanco/Rosado
Aging

Answer 3

• Crianza: 18 mo, 6 mo in oak (remainder may be in bottle, oak or stainless steel)
• Reserva: 2 yrs, 6 mo in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)
• Gran Reserva: 4 yrs, 6 mo in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)
• Rioja casks must be 225 liters—the size of a barrique

Question 4

Rioja Blanco
Grapes

Answer 4

• Principal: Viura (Macabeo)
• Seondary: Garnacha Blanca, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanca, Malvasía, Verdejo, Turruntés, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

Question 5

Navarra DO
5 subzones

Answer 5

• Tierra Estella
• Valdizarbe
• Baja Montana
• first 3 subzones at higher altitudes in the north
• Ribera Alta
• in the center of the Navarra zone
• Ribera Baja
• in the hot southern sector

Question 6

Where is the autonomia of Aragon?

Answer 6

Aragon

• east of Rioja and Navarra

Question 7

Aragon
4 DOs

Answer 7

• Campo de Borja
• Calatayud
• Carinena
• Somontano

Question 8

Mountain ranges bracket North Central Spain

Answer 8

• Pyranees (NE)
• Cantabrias (NW)

Question 9

Year Rioja elevated to DOCa

Answer 9

1991

Question 10

Rioja Tinto
Grapes

Answer 10

*** Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano, Maturana Tinta
**

Question 11

What is the synonym for Mazuelo?

Answer 11

Carignan

Question 12

What is the varietal makeup of white Rioja?

Answer 12

• Viura, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía Riojano, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanca, Turruntés
• Verdejo, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are permitted at max 49% of the blend

Question 13

What is the synonym for Viura?

Answer 13

Macabeo

Question 14

Rosado Rioja requires what % of red grapes?

Answer 14

25%

Question 15

Rioja Crianza
Aging requirements

Answer 15

Crianza - Rioja & Ribera del Duero

• Whites: 2 yrs, 6 mo oak
• Reds: 2 yrs, 1 yr oak

Question 16

Rioja Reserva
Aging requirements

Answer 16

Whites: 2 yrs total, 6 mo oak
Reds: 3 yrs total,1 yr oak

Question 17

Rioja Gran Reserva
Aging Requirements

Answer 17

Gran Reserva - Rioja & Ribera del Duero

• Whites: 4 yrs total, 6 mo oak
• Reds: 5 yrs total, 2 yrs oak, 2 yrs bottle

Question 18

Rioja Alavesa
Location
Main product

Answer 18

• Northernmost zone in Basque Country (North of the Ebro from Rioja Alta)
• Produces fresh, vino joven styled wines, often through carbonic maceration

Question 19

Rioja Alta
Soil

Answer 19

• Yellow calcareous clay (arcillo-calcareo) in the north
• Red, iron-rich clay (arcillo-ferroso) south of the Ebro

Question 20

Rioja Alavesa
Soil

Answer 20

Calcareous clay dominates in Alavesa (and all vineyards between the Cantabrias and the north bank of the Ebro)

Question 21

Rioja Oriental

Soil

Answer 21

Alluvial soils and ferrous clay

Question 22

What protects Rioja from Atlantic winds?

Answer 22

Sierra de Cantabria

Question 23

What is the industrial capital of Rioja?

Answer 23

Logroño

Question 24

When, and by whom, was French oak introduced into Rioja?

Answer 24

• Originally by Marqués de Riscal and Marqués de Murrieta in the 1850’s/60’s
• In the modern period, in the 1970’s, by the Marqués de Cáceras

Question 25

What size barrel is mandated for the aging of red Rioja wines?

Answer 25

**225L (the size of a barrique)**

Question 26

What is the capital of Rioja Alta?

Answer 26

**Haro**

Question 27

What is the capital of Rioja Baja?

Answer 27

**Alfaro**

Question 28

Where are the highest elevation vineyards in Rioja, and who farms them?

Answer 28

* **Labastida, in the northern end of Rioja Alavesa** * **reaches 700 M** * **farmed by Remelluri**

Question 29

What is the climatic difference between Rioja Alta and Alavesa?

Answer 29

* **Alavesa is directly protected by the Sierra Cantabria from Atlantic winds; it is slightly warmer, and more affected by the Mediterranean** * **The area from Alavesa to Sonsierra, while politically Rioja Alta, has more in common climatically with the rest of Alavesa**

Question 30

Major bodegas in Haro

Answer 30

* **Lopez de Heredia** * **La Rioja Alta** * **CVNE** * **Muga** * **Roda**

Question 31

Major bodegas in Cenicero

Answer 31

* **Marques de Caceres** * **Bodegas Riojanas** * **Santa Daria (coop)**

Question 32

Where is Marques de Murrieta?

Answer 32

**Logroño**

Question 33

Logroño is generally known as an industrial capital and not a hub for viticultue. What significant vineyard is the exception to this rule?

Answer 33

**Finca Ygay** (Marques de Murrieta)

Question 34

What are the permitted training methods of Rioja?

Answer 34

* **Cordon** (single or double) * **En Vaso** * **Vara y Pulgar** * **Double Guyot** (may be used for all white varieties excpet Viura, Malvasía, and Garnacha Blanca)

Question 35

Is chaptalization permitted in Rioja?

Answer 35

**No**

Question 36

Where in Rioja are ferrous clay soils commonly found?

Answer 36

**Rioja Baja**

Question 37

Campo de Borja Roble

Answer 37

* **Aged in oak (max 600L)** * **Reds: 90 days** * **Whites: 45 days**