Rioja is the most famous wine region in Spain thanks to its production of the greatest Spanish wine. The region is known for its red wines but it also makes excellent white wines.
Viticulture in Rioja only goes back to the nineteenth century when French immigrants settled in the region to escape the phylloxera.
The producers have to use seven different grape varieties to make to the Rioja wine, the grapes coming from three sub-regions: Rioja Alta in the north-west, Rioja Alavesa in the Pais Vasco and Rioja Baja in the south of Rioja and in the province of Navarra.
Rioja Alta is located south of the Ebro River with its vineyards settled at an altitude between 500 and 800 meters. The red limestone-clay soils have a high iron content. The oceanic influence tempers the aridity thanks to the low mountains in the north.
Rioja Alavesa has its vineyards on the northern bank of the Ebro River reaching up to 800 meters above the sea level. The chalky soil helps to produce the finest and lightest Rioja wine. The extreme conditions are tempered by the oceanic influence. However, the region does not have a lot of rainfall because the Cantabrian Mountains shelter the area.
Rioja Baja has the most continental climate with scorching summers and harsh winters. The soils are composed of heavy clay. The shortage of rainfall lead to a serious risk of drought in this area. Garnacha Tinta is the most common variety, which make younger wines than those from the others areas. Graciano is lately more planted because it blends well with the Tempranillo from Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa.
Rioja's wine production is largely dominated by the red varieties that cover three quarters of total production. The Rioja wines have a very lengthy period of maturation in oak barrels. The authorities decree a longer maturation than the Spanish legislation, same as in Ribera del Duero.
Grape varieties in Rioja
The red wines consist of a majority of Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache), Cariñena (Carignan) and Graciano. Other grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Syrah are found in smaller quantities. The traditional blend gives extraordinary rare wines that combine coolness, strength, depth and smoothness. Rioja wine is identifiable by its profound color, strong tannins, primary aromas of strawberry and raspberry and its typical vanilla and sweet spices notes.
The Rioja's white wine is made of Viura, also called Macabeo. It is a young fresh fruit-driven wine with woody notes.
Best producers in Rioja
The producers dedicated to the production of top quality Rioja wines are CVNE, Finca Allende, La Rioja Alta, Lopez de Heredia, Atardi and Marqués de Murrieta.
