0 items £0.00
In this guide, aimed at helping you match a bottle or two of Rioja to your particular tastes, we'll take a brief look at the history, geography, and grape varieties of this very varied wine which will give you an initial insight into what you might prefer.
We'll then look at each classification and style, linking these to particular wines we have available, along with their food pairing potential, to ensure you maximise your Rioja wine experience.
You can view a full list of our Rioja wines, or read on to see which wines we'd suggest for each specific taste profile.
Rioja, a renowned wine region located in north-central Spain, is a name synonymous with high-quality wines. As Spain's first Designation of Origin (DO) and the country's first Qualified Designation of Origin (DOCa), Rioja has a long-standing tradition of winemaking that dates back to Roman times. The region is home to over 65,000 hectares of vineyards, with a diverse range of climates, terroirs, and grape varieties that contribute to the unique characteristics of its wines. Only wines from this region, and conforming to Regulating Council rules can be called Rioja.
The history of winemaking in Rioja dates back to ancient times, with the Phoenicians and Celtiberians being the earliest known practitioners. The first documented evidence of grape cultivation in the region can be traced back to 873 AD. Monks played a significant role in winemaking during the medieval times, and by the 15th century, the Rioja Alta region had become specialized in wine production.
The 19th century saw an influx of Bordeaux winemakers who migrated to Rioja after phylloxera infestations devastated their vineyards. These French winemakers introduced careful blending techniques and the extensive use of oak barrels for aging, which became defining characteristics of the Rioja wine style.
In 1926, the Consejo Regulador (Regulating Council) was established to control the quality and authenticity of Rioja wines. Rioja earned its DO status in 1933, and in 1991, it became Spain's first DOCa, further solidifying its reputation as a premier wine region.
The Rioja wine region is situated in North Central Spain, near the French border. It spans three autonomous communities: La Rioja, Navarre, and the Basque province of Álava. The region follows the Ebro River and is protected from the cold, wet influences of the Atlantic Ocean by the Cantabrian Mountains.
The Rioja region is divided into three subregions, each with its own distinctive climate and terroir:
Rioja Alta: Located in the western part of the region, Rioja Alta has a predominantly Atlantic climate and is known for its clay-limestone, ferrous-clay, and alluvial soils. Wines from this area are often elegant with balanced acidity.
Rioja Alavesa: Found in the province of Álava, this subregion shares a similar climate with Rioja Alta but produces wines with fuller body and higher acidity due to its clay-limestone soils and terraced vineyards.
Rioja Oriental: Formerly known as Rioja Baja, this eastern subregion has a Mediterranean climate with alluvial and ferrous-clay soils. Wines from this area are typically deeply coloured, robust, and high in alcohol content.
The primary grape variety in Rioja is Tempranillo, which is indigenous to Spain and forms the backbone of most Rioja wines. Other red grape varieties used in the blend include Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo (Carignan), and Maturana. A few wineries, such as Marqués de Riscal, also use small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon in their blends.
For white wines, the main grape variety is Viura (Macabeo), which is often blended with Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. The use of international white grape varieties was authorized in 2007 to increase the competitiveness of Rioja's white wines in the global market.
Vineyards in Rioja are typically trained using the traditional goblet system, which involves forming the vine into a stump with three arms and two buds on each arm. The region's climate, with hot summers and cold winters, along with relatively high rainfall, is ideal for producing high-quality grapes.
Harvesting is usually done manually in October, and yield restrictions are set at 6,500 kg/ha for red varieties and 9,000 kg/ha for white varieties to ensure the quality of the wines.
A distinguishing feature of Rioja wines is the influence of oak aging. Traditionally, American oak barrels were used, which imparted pronounced vanilla flavours to the wines. However, in recent years, many wineries have begun using French oak barrels or a combination of both American and French oak for a more balanced flavour profile.
Rioja wines are classified into four categories based on the time spent aging in oak barrels and bottles:
Joven: These wines, also known as young wines, have no minimum aging requirements and are typically consumed within the first or second year after harvest. They are characterized by their youthful, fruity flavours and fresh acidity.
Crianza: Red Crianza wines must be aged for at least two years, with a minimum of one year in oak barrels and one year in bottles. White Crianza wines require a minimum of two years of aging, with at least six months spent in oak barrels.
Reserva: Red Reserva wines must be aged for a minimum of three years, with at least one year in oak barrels and the remaining time in bottles. White and rosé Reserva wines must be aged for a minimum of two years, with at least six months spent in oak barrels.
Gran Reserva: Red Gran Reserva wines must undergo a total of five years of aging, with at least two years in oak barrels and three years in bottles. White and rosé Gran Reserva wines must be aged for at least four years, with a minimum of 12 months in oak barrels.
In 2018, the Rioja DOCa introduced new classifications for vineyard sites, village wines, and zone wines, which aim to highlight the region's diversity and emphasize terroir-driven wines.
Rioja will range from medium bodied through to very full bodied, from very red berry fruity to smooth, smoky dried fruits and from moderate tannins to high tannins. The great news though, is that they all taste wonderful in their own way and exploring them can be a fantastic journey.
From the three Rioja areas previously covered, you can see that there is some small variances between the wines produced from each, however the biggest differences come about from the winemaking style, which can deliver a lively, fruity, somewhat acidic wine, through to a deeply textured, mocha, tobacco smoke, vanilla and dried fruits styled wine.
As a first bottle to try, I'm going to suggest the Ondarre Reserva Rioja as the starting point for choosing your wine. It's from the Baja (Oriental area) showing dark colour and a nice smooth robustness, with a little leather balanced with smooth vanilla spices, but still showing plenty of creamy strawberry fruits. As a reserva wine, this has spent 16 months in a mix of French and American oak, along with 2 years aging in the bottle, this gives it more depth, a smoother texture, and a little more tannin.
If you want something a little younger, a little fruitier, less oak influences (leather, spice, depth) then the deAlta Rioja Traditional would make an excellent starting point. Again its from the Baja area, but only a third of the wine is oak aged, and only for 6 months. This leads to only hints of vanilla, a little mocha (but not leather), a little less depth and a more prolific fruit palate.
Should your thoughts take you towards a longer period of aging, I'm going to suggest the Sierra Cantabria Rioja Gran Reserva from the Alavesa area. Now, this wine gives you something of everything you can experience from a well aged wine, Smokey, toasted oak, vanilla, cocoa, and a phenomenal depth, smoothness and long, long finish. Plenty of dark fruits balanced by bitter tannins,
These three wine picks are great examples of their wine making style, showing all the main features each style has to offer. If in doubt as to where to start, go for the Ondarre Reserva, and judge the direction you want to go from there, and try wines of that style from each of the 3 Rioja areas.
The traditional grape used in white Rioja is predominantly Viura, with Malvasia following in second. Traditionally, red Rioja uses the Tempranillo grape, but the lesser known Tempranillo Blanco is a white grape, and is often used as part of a blend to make white Rioja.
Modern white Rioja is usually less oaked than its red counterpart, so typically on the UK market, most wines are styled as Joven or Crianza with a few Reservas for lovers of the more heavily oaked and creamy styles.
keeping inline with current trends, I'm going to suggest two of the more lightly oaked wines as starting points for choosing a white Rioja, but from different areas using the grapes of of the area.
The first is Ondarre Valdebaron, which is aged in oak for 4 months and made from 100% Tempranillo Blanco. It brings a satisfying level of oak to the palate and carries notes of apples and pears with a crisp finish. Overall it has a lighter feel to it than the 4 months in oak would indicate.
Our second pick is the Luis Canas Blanco Vinas Viejas which is aged in oak for 3 months and is made up of two-thirds Viura grape with the remaining from Malvasia. This feels altogether more oaky, has more weight, a creamier mouth feel and a very long finish. The palate carries more vanilla, has toasted caramel, balanced by a citrus backdrop.
Both of these wines give you a real feel of what white Rioja is all about, and from there you can try the younger - lighter and fruitier wines which really favour the Viura, or the reserva - heavier, creamier and less citrus fruits which favour the Tempranillo.
While Rioja wines are traditionally known for their extensive oak aging, there has been a shift in recent years towards producing wines that are ready to drink sooner. Top-quality Rioja wines now typically age for 4 to 8 years before release, although some traditional wineries still practice longer aging periods.
For white wines, the use of oak has declined significantly, with modern winemakers focusing on enhancing the freshness and fruit flavours of their wines.
Rioja wines, with their diverse range of flavours and styles, pair well with a variety of dishes. Younger Rioja wines are best enjoyed with savoury meats, strong cheeses, and regional specialties like Jamon Serrano and Manchego cheese. Crianza and Reserva wines, which often exhibit secondary and tertiary notes, pair well with hearty vegetable stews or red meats that have been grilled or braised.
The world of Rioja wines offers a rich tapestry of flavours, styles, and history. From the ancient winemaking traditions to the modern innovations, the Rioja wine region continues to captivate wine enthusiasts with its diverse range of high-quality wines.
Whichever style or region you end up with a preference for, the only certainty is that exploring these wines will present you with a huge diversity of drinking experiences, a lot of pleasure, and an awe for the winemakers of Rioja who have created these wonderful wines.
| Cantine San Marzano: A Puglian Wine Legacy in the Making |
| The Truth About Wine Quality and Price |
| Unveiling the World of Prosecco: A Comprehensive Guide |