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Rioja

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Rioja wines, already renowned in the 19th century, are among the two terroirs to benefit from the "Denominacion de Origen Calificada" designation. Rioja owes its name to the Oja River (Rio Oja), and the appellation's vineyards are not bound by administrative boundaries. The Rioja vineyards are located across the autonomous communities of Navarre, the Basque Country, and Castile and Leon. This region is probably the best known of Spain's wine-producing provinces, producing, among other things, very distinctive and renowned red wines. The reputation of Rioja wine is assured thanks to the quality of the products offered by Bodega Luis Cañas, Bodega Altanza, and Castillo Labastida.

Most of the wine-growing region enjoys a continental climate, at an average altitude of 400m. Rioja red wines give pride of place to a typically Spanish grape variety, Tempranillo, most often blended with Grenache Noir. Rioja wines are of very high quality, thanks in particular to strict yield controls, the use of old vines, and specific vinification and aging techniques. The wines are aged for at least a few months in French and American oak barrels, and sometimes for several decades. Depending on the aging process, there are four categories of designation in the Rioja appellation : "Rioja" for wines aged for a maximum of a few months in oak barrels, "Rioja Crianza" for wines aged for at least two years, including at least one year in oak barrels, "Rioja Reserva" for wines aged for at least three years, including one year in oak barrels, and "Rioja Gran Reserva" for wines aged for at least two years in oak barrels and at least three years in the bottle.

Let's be honest. Wine lovers in France, given the country's rich wine heritage, are too easily tempted to drink and taste without venturing beyond the country's borders. This is good for our winegrowers, but appealing to people's curiosity and encouraging them to discover other regions by tasting their wines is also an excellent way to vary the pleasures on the palate.

Spain's tradition in this area is well established, dating back thousands of years, as is the case in France. Its wines offer their services, their aromas and fragrances, which are always a delicious echo of this country. There are many such wines, but let's focus on Rioja wines!

Rioja, a unique appellation for excellence in many forms

First of all, it is important to note that three regions in Spain share this appellation: the Montes Obarenes-Toloño and Cantabria mountain ranges in the north, and the Demanda and Cameros mountain ranges in the south. They are bathed by the Ebro River and its tributaries. The Rioja Alta and Rioja Alaves cover the western half of the appellation, on the Atlantic side, benefiting from the coolness and humidity of the ocean, while the Rioja Baja in the east of the region has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine and heat that often becomes dry, with significant temperature differences. Rainfall varies from west to east, from the hills to the valleys, ranging from 350 to 500 mm per year. Between the three regions, and within each of them, there are many distinct terroirs depending on their altitude and the quality of their very calcareous, rocky soils, which are exposed to the sun and wind.

Choosing a bottle of Rioja wine

This is still the fundamental step if you want to understand all the subtleties of Rioja wines: choosing a bottle, even though you know that all Rioja wines are synonymous with centuries-old tradition and high quality standards.

Red wines

If you prefer aromas of red fruits and berries, you will prefer young red wines, which are the perfect accompaniment to cheese platters, grilled meats, and charcuterie, preferably Spanish to stay within the same Iberian family. Connoisseurs who prefer more mature flavors will find what they are looking for in an older bottle of Rioja red wine, with its aromas of wood, black fruits, blueberries, and blackberries, which can accompany more structured dishes such as stews and casseroles, as well as a perfectly grilled rib of beef. It should be noted that if you prefer denser red wines, Rioja Oriental wine, which is more alcoholic, more structured, and has a longer finish, will be a good choice.

White wines

Wines from excellent vineyards can also be white. For white Rioja wines, the one that stands out is Viura or Macabeu. These wines are best served chilled, which brings out their flavors of wild flowers, citrus fruits, and spring breezes. Enjoy them as an aperitif or with light dishes, cheese, fish, shellfish—in short, any dish that evokes or complements sunny days.

More information on the website of Rioja