Profile of Wine Region, La Rioja
La Rioja Wine Map
Wineries in La Rioja Region
The wine region of La Rioja was demarcated by the area's governing body, the CONSEJO REGULADOR, in
1926. The region extends for approx. 120 km along both sides of the Ebro River and is, at its
widest, 50 kilometers, bounded by mountains on either side. In fact, the word "Rioja" is a derivation of the
two words "Rio" (River) and "Oja" (name of a tributary of the Ebro, located near the region's southwestern
boundary).
"La Rioja" has always been a vital part of Spain's history. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, and
finally, medieval Crusaders have all played a part in the area's history. The Romans, however, made wine a
part of their culture wherever they travelled, and La Rioja was no exception. Ancient sites of Roman wineries
still exist in and around the area today.
After the Romans came the Moors, and wine making all but ceased. It wasn't until after the famous "El Cid"
liberated Spain, and medieval Christianity brought trade via the Crusaders through the region, that it
flourished again. The Benedictine monks of Cluny in Burgundy, known for their viticulture, helped to
establish three monasteries in the area. The vines they planted were mostly white grapes. In the fourteenth
century, English traders acquired a taste for a local Rioja wine, which was a blend of white and red wines
called Blancos Pardillos. Over time, development of lighter reds came about satisfying eighteenth century
English and French courts.
The real improvements to Rioja's viticulture began around 1780 when the need to prolong wine during transport
brought about experimentation with different woods and preservatives. Studies were made of the techniques used
by great chateaux in Bordeaux. With the outbreak of the Peninsular War, progress was halted until 1852, when
the Bordelais came south to Rioja seeking vines because their vineyards had been blighted with "oidium".
When phylloxera devastated Bordeaux in the 1870's and the "French" influence really took hold in the Rioja,
many of the region's finest bodegas (winery) started production on what we now consider as the great wines
of Rioja. Today, Rioja is divided into three regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Baja. Rioja Alta
is composed primarily of alluvial soil, calcareous clay and ferruginous clay. As the name suggests, much of
this area is in higher altitudes. Approximately 45,000 acres. The Rioja Alavesa terrain is "terraced" and
consists mostly of limestone and clay. Approximately 25,000 acres. The Rioja Baja is comprised of alluvial
clay with large areas of ferruginous and calcareous clay. Generally wines from the Baja have a higher alcohol
content. Approximately 37,000 acres.
Aging Requirements
Sin Crianza: Wine with little or no aging in oak casks. Often referred to as Vino Joven:.
Must be comprised of 100% Rioja grapes, as with all Rioja guaranteed origin wines.
Crianza: Wine in its 3rd year, matured for at least 1 year in oak cask, at least 1 year in
bottle.
Reserva: Carefully selected wines, aged for at least three years, of which at least one is in oak cask and
the rest in the bottle.
Gran Reserva: Wines which have been aged at least two years in oak cask and at least three years in the
bottle.
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Wine Tour La Rioja
This wine tour of Spain's famous wine regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero is perfect for enthusiasts who want to see where the magic of wine begins- in the vines! Vineyard walks, VIP winery visits to top estates, lunches at cozy, historic "Asadores" in wine country, charming accommodation and much more...