Rioja

Rioja is known primarily for its reds although it also makes white wines from the Viura and Malvasia grapes and rosés mainly from Garnacha. Most wineries (bodegas) have their own distinct red wine formula, but are normally a combination of Tempranillo, Garnacha and sometimes Graciano. Other red varieties recently approved into the DOCa regulations are the little known Maturana Tinta, Maturana Parda, and Monastel (not Monastrell). The most important of these by far is the king of native Spanish varieties, Tempranillo, which imbues the wines with complex and concentrated fruit flavours

The Garnacha, meanwhile, bestows the wines with warm, ripe fruit and adds an alcohol punch. Graciano is an ameliorateur grape (one that is added, often in small proportions, to add a little something to the final blend) and is found mainly in Reserva and  Gran Reserva wines, albeit in small quantities (2%-5%), adding freshness, aroma and enhancing the wines' ageing potential.

Crianza wines are aged for 1 year in oak followed by maturation for 1 year in bottle before being released for sale. Reservas must spend a minimum of 3 years ageing before release, at least one of which should be in oak casks. Finally, Gran Reservas, which are only produced in the finest vintages, must spend at least 5 years maturing, of which at least two must be in oak.

Geographically, Rioja is divided in to three districts: Alavesa, Alta and Baja.  Rioja Alavesa lies in the northwest of the La Rioja region in the Basque province of Alava.  Along with Rioja Alta, it is the heartland of the Tempranillo grape. Rioja Alta, to the north-west and south of the Ebro River in the province of La Rioja, stretches as far as the city of Logroño. Elegance and poise is the hallmark of wines made here with Rioja Alta Tempranillo. Mazuelo (Carignan) is occasionally added to wines from this area to add tannins and colour.  Rioja Baja is located to the south-east, is the hottest of the three districts and specialises in Garnacha.

Rioja has witnessed a broad stylistic evolution over the years. The classic Riojas pioneered by Murrieta and Riscal in the 19^th century were distinguished by long oak barrel ageing whereas the modern style, represented by Marques de Caceres since 1970, showcases the fruit and freshness of Tempranillo, keeping oak ageing to the legal minimum. The post-modern school that emerged in the late 1990s from producers like Palacios Remondo and Finca Allende concentrate on making wines from old vines or specific vineyard plots to accentuate the terroir, and using larger proportions of minority varietals such as Graciano.

The `alta expression' wines, pioneered by Finca Allende (among others) and later taken up by almost every other producer in Rioja, represent the new flagship category in Rioja. Alongside the traditional Gran Reservas, alta expression wines are limited production and come from low-yielding vines, often from a single vineyard, and are hand-picked. Excellent examples of this style are Artadi's Pagos Viejos and El Pison.

However, modernisation has not held back the continuation of successful traditional styles as well. Happily, long-established houses such as La Rioja Alta, CVNE and Marques de Vargas continue to make graceful, old style wines better than ever before.

White Rioja is typically produced by the Viura grape which must comprise at leasr 51% of the blend; the rest can be made up by other, recently authorised varieties, namely, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Verdejo, as well as the native Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, and Turruntés (not Torrontés).

Recommended Producers:
Finca Allende, Amezola de la Mora, Artadi, CVNE, Marques de Vargas, Palacios Remondo, La Rioja Alta, Murrieta.