La Rioja designation
- One of the world’s 1st demarcated wine regions in 1560
- Rioja DOCa
- the first appellation to receive the exclusive DOCa designation (1991)
La Rioja Climate
-continental
La Rioja location
- north central Spain
- in the Ebro Valley
- south of the Cantabrian Mountains
- Rioja DOCa mostly in La Rioja, extend into Navarra and Basque Country, From Haro in the northwest to Alfaro in the southeast
Rioja DOCa three zones
- Rioja Alta most important
- Rioja Alaveza
- Rioja baja
The name Rioja
The region’s name is a contraction of Rio Oja: Rioja
tributary of the Ebro river
Rioja Alavesa
- the smallest, northernmost zone (País Vasco)
- Tempranillo here often produces vino joven wines for early consumption.
- Carbonic maceration may be employed for such wines.
- Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa share a similar soil structure, with a high proportion of calcareous clay
Rioja Alta
-the southwestern zone
-with its slightly warmer climate the zone is capable of producing classic, ageworthy Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano.
Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa share a similar soil structure, with a high proportion of calcareous clay
Rioja Baja
- the hottest subregion, (Navarra)
- contains more alluvial soils and ferrous clay
- Garnacha performs best in Rioja Baja’s hot climate
- largest
Rioja oak treatment
- Traditional winemakers of the region age their wines in American oak barrels to extract the stronger flavors they afford
- US colonies allowed them easy access to American oak
- Small, French oak barrels are also widely used, and produce modern style of Rioja
Rioja DOCa red grapes
- Principal Red Grape: Tempranillo
- Secondary Red Grapes: Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano, Maturana Tinta
Rioja DOCa white grapes
- Principal White Grape: Viura
- Secondary White Grapes: Malvasía, Garnacha Blanca, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Tempranillo Blanca, Maturana Blanca, Turruntés
Rioja Alta producers
-López de Heredia
-La Rioja Alta
-Bodegas Muga
-Bodegas Roda
-CVNE
(Haro)
Rioja DOCa Aging Requirements Red: Crianza
-Tinto: min. 2 years, including at least 1 year in oak
Rioja DOCa Aging Requirements Red: Reserva
-Tinto: min. 3 years, including at least 1 year in oak
Rioja DOCa Aging Requirements Red: Gran Reserva
-Tinto: min. 24 months in oak and 36 months in bottle (5yrs)
Rioja DOCa Aging Requirements White: Crianza
-Blanco/Rosado: min. 2 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder may be in bottle, oak or stainless steel)
Rioja DOCa Aging Requirements White: Reserva
-Blanco/Rosado: min. 2 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)
Rioja DOCa Aging Requirements White: Gran Reserva
-Blanco/Rosado: min. 4 years, including at least 6 months in oak (remainder must be in bottle or oak)
Spains first DO
Rioja in 1925
Navarra Basics
- Borders Rioja
- known mostly for rosado wine, though red wine dominates production
Navarra Red Grapes
– Garnacha
–Tempranillo
–Cabernet Sauvignon
–Merlot
Navarra White Grapes
–Viura (Macabeo)
–Malvasia
–Chardonnay
What are Navarra 5 sub-districts?
- Tierra Estella
- Valdizarbe
- Baja Montaña
- Ribera Alta
- Ribera Baja
