La Rioja: The Wine and The Region

The Spanish region La Rioja is one of the most important growing regions in Europe and extends over the areas of La Rioja, the Basque Country and Navarre. The region benefits from a mix of Atlantic, Continental and Mediterranean climates. Hot summers and cold winters with relatively high rainfall are all perfect for producing top quality grapes which go into producing quality Rioja wines.
Today the Rioja wine from this area is marketed under the same name. The Rioja vineyards cover more than 60,000 hectares along the upper reaches of the Ebros in northern Spain. A distinction is made between the areas of Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa based on the different soili types: 

Alta: Here we can find a big diversity of soils, most of them limestone and clay, but in some places the soil can be rich in iron or full of pebbles.

Baja: It has much fertile alluvial soils and is heavy with silt.

Alavesa: On the North edge of the region, it has a distinctive chalky clay-limestone soil and steeply sloped landscape.

Mainly red grape varieties are grown on the limestone and clayey soils. Tempranillo , Garnacha and Graciano are at the heart of Riojan wine art. Each winemaker has his own secret recipe for great red wine blends 

The specialty of La Rioja: pure Graciano

As a specialty for the region, however, single-variety Graciano is considered, which can delight with its characteristic taste. Rosé and white wines are not neglected. Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha Bianca grow in the Rioja vineyards. A distinction is made in the Rioja wine between different quality levels. The Gran Reserva stands on the highest, which has to be aged in oak barrels for at least two years to maintain its harmonious taste. In fact, today a large part of the wines in La Rioja are matured in barrique barrels. A typical red Rioja wine is characterized by its dry and mostly characteristic Tempranillo-Taste out. The Baron de Ley winery is considered an outstanding representative of the region, producing excellent and award-winning wines.

How to read the Rioja wine labels?

Generic Rioja (Joven)

Generic Rioja wines do not have aging requirements. Expect these wines to use minimal oak-aging and have a fleshy style.

Crianza Rioja

Crianza was formerly where quality started for Rioja wine. The increased aging allows Tempranillo-based wines to develop more complexity. Expect red fruit flavors and subtle spice.

• Red wines: Aged for a total of two years with at least one year in oak barrels.
• White and rosé wines: Aged for a total of two years with at least six months in barrels.

Reserva Rioja

Reserva is where things start to get serious with Rioja. We suspect this classification will continue to be the benchmark moving forward because it also includes the new sparkling wine, Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja.

Red wines in this classification typically have great balance between fruit and structure, with subtle aged flavors of baking spice and dried fruit. This is one of those bottles you must try aging in a cellar to see how it evolves thru the years.

• Red wines: Aged for a total of three years with at least one year in oak barrels and at least six months in bottles.
• Sparkling wines: Wines must be aged on the lees for no less than 24 months. Vintage-dated espumosos must be hand-harvested.
• White and rosé wines: Aged for a total of two years with at least six months in barrels.

Gran Reserva Rioja

• Red wines: Aged for a total of five years with at least two years in oak barrels and two years in bottles.
• White and rosé wines: Aged for a total of five years with at least six months in barrels.

Gran Anada Rioja

By the numbers, these wines mimic the production methods and aging requirements of vintage Champagne. Wines must be aged on the lees for no less than 36 months. Vintage-dated espumosos must be hand-harvested.