Wine Region Rioja

Rioja is a famous wine region in the north-central part of Spain. It is Spain’s largest red wine producing region with over 600 wineries and an annual production of over 400 million bottles.

The Rioja region is a denominación de origen calificada, "Qualified Designation of Origin (D.O.Ca)", the highest category in Spanish wine regulation.

Rioja wines ares made from grapes grown in La Rioja and Navarre, and the Basque province of Álava.

The key appellations are Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental (previously Rioja Baja).

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Rioja Alta (Rioja High)

Rioja Alta is Located on the western side of Rioja. It has an Atlantic climate, and its soils consist of iron-rich clay mixed with limestone. Thanks to the elevation and cooler temperatures, Rioja Alta wines have more tannin and higher acidity than Rioja Oriental, and they are often more elegant.

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Rioja Alavesa

Rioja Alavesa is the smallest of the Rioja regions. It is located between the Ebro River and the rocky mass of the Sierra Cantabria. The wines bear a high resemblance to the wines of Rioja Alta with high tannins and high acidity.

The vineyards here are located at high altitudes, resulting in cooler temperatures that aid in the acquisition acid levels and good colour. The soil is rich in chalky clay, limestone and sand.

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Rioja Oriental (Rioja East)

The wines from Rioja Oriental (Rioja East), formerly the Rioja Baja (Rioja Low) are fruit-forward and the wineries focus on wines designed to drink young.

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Red Wines

The region is best known for high-quality Rioja Wines.

A typical Rioja blend consists of 60% Tempranillo ("the Grape of Spain") and 20% Garnacha along with other fruity additives like Mazuelo (Cariñena) and Graciano.

White Wines

Viura (Macabéo) is the dominant white grape in Rioja, accounting for 70% of white varieties.

Viura is also found in France, particularly in Roussillon and the Languedoc, where it is called Maccabeo or Maccabeu.

Nine white varieties is allowed to use in white Rioja: Viura, Malvasía Riojana, Garnacha Blanca, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco and Torrontés.

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DOCa Rioja (La Rioja)

Rioja was the first Spanish wine region to obtain DO status in 1925. In 1991, it was promoted to DOCa (Qualified Designation of Origin), a higher category reserved for wines maintaining a proven consistency and quality over a long period of time.

Ribera del Duero vs Rioja

What is the difference between Ribera del Duero and Rioja wines?

Both appellations use Tempranillo as the main grape variety but they blend it with different grapes.

In Rioja they use Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo and Viura, while in Ribera del Duero they blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec.

But, the biggest difference is the use of oak barrels.

Rioja wine is typically aged in American oak (Quercus Alba) barrels, cheaper, sweeter and strong in Vanilla and Coconut aromas, while Ribera del Duero wine prefers French oak (Quercus Petraea and Quercus Robur) barrels, rich in exotic Spices, Roasted Coffee, Resin, Cedar, Pine, and silky, smooth, elegant Tannins.

The tighter grain of the french oak is less invasive in the resulting aromas, it allows to recognize the grape varietal and delivers more fruity wines.