The Spanish region of Rioja is synonymous with wine. The region spreads across three distinct communities, La Rioja, Basque Country and Navarre, and covers about 210 square miles, or more than 133,000 acres of wine producing land.

The region of Rioja is located in the north central part of Spain. The region runs along the Ebro River and Cantabria Mountains to the north as the Demanda Mountains graze the lush land to the south. Although Rioja is the second smallest region in Spain, this wine-producing region is also, along with Jerez, one of the most prestigious and among the top wine destinations in Europe, for that matter.

The towns and communities encompassed by the Rioja region are truly delightful. The picturesque town of Laguardia sits atop ancient caves and wine cellars still in production. Some of the oldest wineries in Spain still operate inside the underground grottos. In addition there are many local bodegas ranging from small to commercial in size. You’ll also find boutique wineries throughout the region as well as those family wineries where wine has been made for generations. Each one is unique and every glass you sample will delight your palate.

The History of Winemaking in Rioja

Winemaking has been a part of life in the Rioja region since the 11th century BC, beginning with the Phoenicians who settled the area. As with the majority of the best known wine regions throughout Europe the Ancient Romans established a good many of the Rioja vineyards.

Word spread of the phenomenal wines of Rioja in the Middle Ages. This is due to the many Christian pilgrims who made the journey to the Shrine of St. James. The path known as the Santiago de Compostela wends through the region and those who traversed it on holy pilgrimage carried word of the regional wines back to their homes.

Due to the phylloxera epidemic of the late 1800s, which destroyed much of the wine grapes throughout Europe, and most especially in France, the Rioja region adapted modernization and greatly expanded. The devastated French winemakers brought their trade, expertise and most importantly their investment to Spain’s Rioja region.

By the beginning of the 20th century wines produced in the Rioja region were gaining international notoriety. However the impact of 2 world wars and the Spanish Civil War resulted in desperate times for the country of Spain. As the population experienced hunger the Spanish government ordered the vineyards to be removed and wheat planted in place of the grapes in order to sustain the people of Spain.

Winemaking Once Again

The 1960s saw a resurgence in viticulture in Rioja and by the 1970s the popularity was stoked. That’s because, among wine aficionados and oenophiles the 1970 vintage was hailed as the “vintage of the century” and wine critics deemed Rioja as one of the finest wine regions in the world. This sparked a huge interest both in obtaining the wines of the region and investing in the vineyards and bodegas throughout the Rioja region.

1980 was the decade that began to define Rioja’s place among the heavy hitters. After a particularly disappointing vintage, combined with high prices, the world’s interest in Rioja wines waned. That’s when those creative wine makers began experimenting. The changes that these winemakers embraced altered the methods of Rioja’s traditional winemaking. The wines were younger, deeper in color and more powerful. The wineries diminished their reliance on oak barrel aging and focused on getting these new wines to market sooner. The result was an international success and Rioja once again claimed its place among the premier wine regions in the world.

Those Amazing Rioja Wines

Rioja wines must be, according to regulations, made from specific grapes grown within the limits of the designated Rioja Wine region. The regulations in place also dictate the viticulture practices, yield per vine and processes for winemaking. 75% of the grapes planted in Rioja are Tempranillo but these grapes are blended with other grapes and it's very rare to find a 100% Tempranillo wine.

While the majority of grapes are Tempranillo it’s wrong to assume that's the only type of wine that comes from this region. Although Tempranillo is the most recognized wine from the region there are others which are equally delicious and worthy of a sip (or bottle) or two.

Most of the wines from Rioja are red. Rosé, or Rosado,  production is minimal but on the increase given the growing world popularity of Rosés. Whites are produced far less than the reds (they account for around 7%-8% of Rioja wines)  but are excellent and you really should try some. The white wines, or Rioja Blanco, are fresh and lively in profile and quite delicious. The more popular white was once a flavorful, high alcohol wine made primarily from Malvasia grapes and had a significant oak taste to the flavor profile.

Today’s whites from Rioja use the Viura grapes and also Chardonnay. Additional grapes authorized to create Rioja Blanca wines are Garnacha Blanca, Tempranillo Blanca, Maturana Blanca, Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc.

Classifications

The wines in Rioja are controlled by Spain’s DOC (Denominación de Origen Contolada Rioja) . Most of the other wine regions in Spain are  DOS. In order for wine from this region to claim Rioja it must be designated as such by the DOC. The DOC permits four specific categories of Rioja Wine and each category must comply with the standards set forth by the organization. The wines are required to stay at the winery for a specific time period in order to gain designation in one of the four categories. They are:

• Crianza Rioja: Must remain at the winery for 2 years, one year in oak barrels and one year in bottles.

• Reserva Rioja: Must remain in the winery for three years, one year in oak barrels.

• Gran Reserva: A minimum of 24 months in oak barrels and 48 months in the winery is required.

• Joven: These particular wines are often young and made without the constraints of the regulations. While not always a young wine the designation must be made if the wine isn’t made in accordance with any of the other regulations.
  
   Rioja Wine region can be a nice extension for a trip to Spain or Portugal.