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La Rioja (or simply Rioja) is a wine region of Spain, with its own official DOCa/DOQ appellation.
Wines labelled with the name La Rioja are also produced in Basque Country and Navarre.
Like most regions of Spain, La Rioja also produces wines of Cava appellation.
edit Tasting
Rioja wines offer unique aromas and flavors, due to the use of indigenous winegrapes such as Tempranillo and Viura.
Red wines represent 85% of wine production in La Rioja. They are often bold and highly aromatic, while surprisingly fresh. They can be served with red meats or heavily-seasoned meat dishes of all kind.
Rosé wines are also fresh and strong, and display a bright pink color.
White Rioja (Rioja Blanca) is more green-yellow than white. It gives a light, fine aroma and flavor.
edit Facts and figures
- Red varietals: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuello, Graciano
- White varietals: Viura, Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca
- Planted area: 57,000 hectares (141,000 acres)
- Production average: 250 million litters, among which 85% of red wine.
edit History
La Rioja is one of the oldest wine regions in the world. Winegrowing was already active at the time of Roman conquest, and Rioja wines were already celebrated for their powerful tastes.
Attempts to regulate wine production in Rioja started as early as the 10th century, when legal texts on wine quality imposed mandatory controls and severe fines.
Rioja wines as we know them today appeared in the early 1800s, when substantial efforts were made to improve wine quality, with the advice of Bordeaux vintners.
edit Geography
Rioja wine country is located along the Ebre river, between Cantabria mountains to the North and Sierra de la Demanda to the South.
Soils of Rioja are mostly made of clay and limestone, or alluvial terrain.
Rioja has three main winegrowing zones:
- Rioja Alta: This is where most winegrowing takes place. Wines are pleasantly aromatic and well-balanced, with a high capacity for ageing.
- Rioja Alavesa: Powerful wines with higher acidity and aromas of black fruits and pepper.
- Rioja Baja: The driest part of Rioja winegrowing country. Wines are warmer with more alcohol but less subtlety. They are often used to be blended with other wines.
edit Climate
Climate in Rioja is dry, but not too hot due to a rather high elevation. Winters are cool.
edit Viticulture
edit See also
- http://www.vibrantrioja.com/ -- the official promotional Web site for Rioja wines
