After almost a century of history La Rioja has become the leading Spanish region of wine production in sales, quality and prestige. It is recognized as the oldest in Spain as it was created in 1925. In 1991 Rioja obtained the naming of Qualified that distinguishes it as a superior category with the highest quality levels, under the strict control standards managed by the Spanish Conference of Wine Regulatory Councils.
If we had to describe the DOC Rioja we would resume under three concepts: tradition diversity and origin.
Tradition
The DO Rioja is a privileged land, whose history goes back more than two thousand years. An ancestral legacy in viticulture, processing and aging techniques that has allowed it to strengthen the international image of prestige of its wide variety of wines.
This region is known for its red wines (90% mainly Tempranillo and Grenache, although mazuelo and Graciano varieties are also cultivated). Although less well known, the white wines of Rioja are highly valued for their exceptional quality Viura, Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía. The most appreciated by consumers are those that are aged in barrels – Crianza , Reservas and Gran Reservas that retain the personality and individuality.
Origin
The RIOJA DO is subdivided into three areas differentiated by its orography and climate. Rioja Alta, La Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa. Some 15,000 winegrowers provide grapes to the 600 wineries in the region. The 65,000 hectares of vineyards produce wine in the 130 countries where it is exported.
Located in the Ebro Valley, the region comprising DO Rioja begins in Haro and ends in Alfaro. 100k m in length for up to 40 km wide that run parallel to the riverbank and there are two climates, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, within which many other microclimates determined by the orientation of the terrain itself, height and position coexist.
Diversity
All this diversity allows to create a wide range of wines with a different personality but similar framework, a recognizable common identity of a unique land.
