The autonomía of La Rioja is most famous for its eponymous DOCa - Rioja. La Rioja’s history of winemaking is nearly as old as the area itself. Since the 16th century, it has boasted a healthy international wine trade, at which time Rioja wines were enjoyed all over Europe and even in the nascent American colonies as well. In fact, it was this trade with the Americas that established American oak as the preferred wood for barrels; a tradition that remains in tact today.
Rioja wine and its production then remained relatively unchanged until the 19th century. As phylloxera began to ravage vineyards in France, French winemakers looked across the Pyrenees for a chance to continue making wine and supplying the thirsty French market. Although France eventually got back on its feet viticulturally, the export market for Spanish wines continued to be strong.
DOCa Rioja is bordered to the north by the river Ebro, this body of water plays a key role in the DOCa’s terroir, yet it is named for one of its tributaries, the Oja (Rioja = río oja). The wine region can be divided into 3 sub-regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja, each with their own unique expression of the Tempranillo grape.
- Rioja Alavesa: lies northwest, north of the river Ebro and has a Mediterranean and Atlantic climate—the coolest, wettest and most elevated subzone of Rioja, producing wines that are more Pinot Noir-like in character
- Rioja Alta: lies northwest, south of the river Ebro and has a predominantly Atlantic climate; vineyards are of varying elevations and make wines that have high acidity
- Rioja Baja: lies southeast, north and south of the river Ebro and primarily has a Mediterranean climate; hotter and drier than other two sub-zones; wines typically have more extract and higher alcohol level
Although the region is known primarily for its reds, it should be noted that Rioja makes some wonderful whites and rosados as well. It is an area where tradition and innovation meet on a daily basis, and where both the novice and the aficionado are sure to find these wines unique and unforgettable.
Sources of additional information on DOCa Rioja:
