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Rioja
Rioja lies in northern Spain, along the Ebro. Tempranillo is the principal grape; the classification into crianza, reserva and gran reserva refers to the time spent ageing in wood and bottle. The region falls into Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental.
Our range includes wines from Rioja by producers including Marqués de Murrieta, La Rioja Alta, Muga, Artadi, Faustino and Marqués de Riscal. If you would like to explore Spain further, you will also find Ribera del Duero, Penedès and Priorat in our range.
Grapes and style
Rioja is known above all for red wine made from tempranillo, often complemented with garnacha, graciano and mazuelo. The classic style results from long ageing in oak barrels, often American oak, which gives notes of vanilla, coconut, dried fruit and tobacco. In addition, a more modern style is made with more fruit and shorter ageing in wood. There is also white Rioja, mainly from viura, and rosado. The region thus shows great stylistic breadth.
Location and soil
Rioja lies in the north of Spain, in the valley of the river Ebro, between the Cantabrian mountains and the mountains to the south. The area comprises three zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental. The climate in the west is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, while the east is warmer and drier. The soils alternate between calcareous clay, ferrous clay and alluvial ground along the river.
Classification and rules
Rioja was the first Spanish appellation with the highest status, DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada). The wines are classified by ageing. Joven is young and fruity. Crianza has a minimum period of ageing in wood and in the bottle. Reserva ages considerably longer, and Gran Reserva is made only in exceptional years and ages the longest before being sold. The category appears on the back label or on a special strip and says something about the type of wine, not necessarily about its quality.
Ageing and serving
A Crianza is often ready to drink within a few years, while Reserva and Gran Reserva can last for decades in the cellar. Rioja is served at 16 to 18 °C, old bottles preferably slightly cooler and poured carefully because of sediment. Rioja goes well with lamb, grilled meat, roast poultry, jamón ibérico and tapas. Oak-aged white Rioja combines well with poultry and rich fish dishes.
Producers in our range
These producers feature in our Rioja range: Marqués de Murrieta (Castillo Ygay), La Rioja Alta (Gran Reserva 904, Viña Ardanza and Viña Alberdi), Muga (Prado Enea and Torre Muga), Artadi (Pagos Viejos and Viña El Pisón), Faustino (Faustino I Gran Reserva), Marqués de Riscal, Viñedos de Páganos (La Nieta) and Dalmau.
More from Spain
You will find more wines from Spain under Ribera del Duero, Penedès and Priorat.