level: La Rioja
Questions and Answers List
DOCa Rioja
level questions: La Rioja
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Rioja Alavesa: Location, climate, soil, dominant grape | North of Ebro River; continental with maritime influence; calcareous clay; 21% of DOCa Rioja vineyards, Tempranillo |
| Rioja Alta: Location, climate, soil, dominant grape | South of Ebro River; continental with maritime influence; calcareous clay, ferrous clay, alluvium; 42% of DOCa Rioja vineyards, Tempranillo |
| Rioja Oriental: Location, climate, soil, dominant grape | Mostly south of Ebro River; continental with Mediterranean influence; ferrous clay, alluvium; 37% of DOCa Rioja vineyards, Garnacha Tinta, Graciano |
| DOCa Rioja: Styles (primary grapes), climate, soils | 90% tinto; continental; calcareous clay, ferrous clay and alluviums; typical tinto blend 60%-80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha Tinta, balance Mazuelo (Carinena) and Graciano |
| DOCa Rioja - Generico (tinto) | No minimum times in barrel, bottle or before release |
| DOCa Rioja - Joven (tinto) | Minimums: 12 months in barrel, no minimum in bottle, "minimum two calendar years from October 1 of the harvest year" |
| DOCa Rioja - Reserva (tinto) | Minimums: 12 months in barrel, 6 months in bottle, 36 months before release |
| DOCa Rioja - Gran Reserva (tinto) | Minimums: 24 months in barrel, 24 months in bottle, 60 months before release |
| DOCa Rioja - Generico (blanco) | No minimum times in barrel, bottle or before release |
| DOCa Rioja - Joven (blanco) | Minimums: 6 months in barrel, no minimum in bottle, "minimum two calendar years from October 1 of the harvest year" |
| DOCa Rioja - Reserva (blanco) | Minimums: 6 months in barrel, no minimum in bottle, 24 months before release |
| DOCa Rioja - Gran Reserva (blanco) | Minimums: 6 months in barrel, no minimum in bottle, 48 months before release |
| Requirements of Vinedos Singulares | DOCa Rioja: if grapes purchased, 10-year K, vines at least 35 years old, yields 20% less than standard, hand harvesting, transparency, quality assessment |
| Requirements of a Vino de Municipio | DOCa Rioja: winery located in municipio, up to 15% of grapes may be from neighboring village (10 year K), production figures transparent |
| Requirements of a Vinos de Zone | DOCa Rioja: winery located in zone, up to 15% of grapes may be from neighboring zone (10 year K), production figures transparent |
| Requirements of Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja | DOCa Rioja: between 11%-13% abv, metodo tradicional, 15-month sur lie aging, (24 mo for Reserva, 36 mo for Gran Reserva, which must be vintage), Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut only |
| What are Cosechos? | DOCa Rioja: grape growers who produce young red wine using method similar to carbonic maceration |