Weekly Wine Quiz: The (Spanish) Name Game

Vinted on July 13, 2012 binned in wine quiz

Welcome to the Weekly Wine Quiz!

Based on feedback from ever-so-vocal-and-intelligent peeps like you, I do not supply the quiz answer directly in the post – you will need to tune back in later in the comments section for the answer. Yeah, yeah, whatever, let’s get to the question already!

Our current round of wine quiz questions are focused on the Rioja winemaking region, and hopefully Friday the 13th isn’t an unlucky day for your wine smarties!

The (Spanish) Name Game

How Did Spain’s Rioja region get its name?

A. From the Latin word Rialia which refers to small regional tributaries
B. From an ancient Basque word meaning "land of rocks"
C. Either A or B – no one knows for sure
D. None of the above

Cheers – and good luck!

Other stuff you might dig:

Comment

Comments

Alexey Onegin

Friday, 13 July, 2012 at 8:48

I'd say none of the above since I've heard it's name is connected with a river.
- 1WineDude
  
  Friday, 13 July, 2012 at 8:55
  
  Thanks, Alexey!
Silvinapal

Friday, 13 July, 2012 at 11:54

none of the above.

it's because of the River Oja that goes by, ( Rio Oja).
- 1WineDude
  
  Friday, 13 July, 2012 at 11:59
  
  Thanks, Silvinapa!
Steve

Friday, 13 July, 2012 at 12:45

D.

Silvinapa got it right.
- 1WineDude
  
  Friday, 13 July, 2012 at 12:47
  
  Thanks, Steve!
NJ Vinoman

Friday, 13 July, 2012 at 16:20

I'd have to go with D as well.
- 1WineDude
  
  Friday, 13 July, 2012 at 16:23
  
  Thanks, NJ. This is gonna be a fun one when I finally reveal the answer…! :)
Capi

Friday, 13 July, 2012 at 18:30

Silvinapa is absolutly rightt.
The name of our most popular wine region RIOJA cames from the blend of RÍO (river) + OJA = RIOJA.
And the name of the grape from the Rioja Valley is TEMPRANILLO.

Bye.
- 1WineDude
  
  Friday, 13 July, 2012 at 19:03
  
  Thanks, Capi.
1WineDude

Friday, 13 July, 2012 at 20:34

Alright everyone, I fear I'm going to piss you all off but the answer is actually…

C. Either A or B – no one knows for sure

Either A or B could be correct – no one knows for sure, and ***according to Ana Fabiano's The Wine Regions Of Rioja*** there are no fewer than 22 competing theories about the origin of the region's name (A & B are thought to be the most credible of the 22). The "river" theory is possible, but according to Fabiano isn't necessarily the most credible of the various theories that explain Rioja's namesake.

Chatter

gabe { Howdy Joe! Life is good. I've finally gotten the call-up as the head winemaker at a new winery. I'm excited to send you some of... } – Jan 28, 7:03 PM
1WineDude { Vincenzo - "The only people who really lose out are those who try to fight off bloggers as if they are merely a passing fad."... } – Jan 28, 3:22 PM
Vincenzo { I think the internet has really turned a few areas of society on their heads. But I think that "criticism" (be it wine, film, literary... } – Jan 28, 3:14 PM
1WineDude { CdPT - absolutely, just reach out if you're in the area. Cheers. } – Jan 28, 7:35 AM
Château du Petit Thouars { Great to hear! If we get to Philly soon for tastings it would be great to meet! } – Jan 28, 5:35 AM
1WineDude { Gabe! How's life? I agree, it's one of the reasons that I always have to stop and think about trying, say, late `80s Napa Cab... } – Jan 27, 7:00 PM