Rioja
Spanish temperament
Spanish wine and Rioja are synonymous for many wine lovers. This is not by chance: Rioja is one of the most important and famous wine regions in Spain. La Rioja is located on the Ebro river and is characterized by its diversity. The region is divided into three main areas: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental. The three areas have very different climatic conditions and the soil also varies greatly. This leads naturally to the fact that also the Rioja wines can differ very much from each other. In La Rioja, red wine is produced for the most part, with a small part of rosé and white wine production. Rioja red wine is mainly made from the Tempranillo grape. However, the Garnacha grape variety is also widely grown.The designation Rioja is protected (DOC – Denominaciòn de Origen Calificada) and may only be used for controlled wines. In addition, the following predicates apply to Rioja red wine:
Crianza: Minimum 2 years of aging, 1 year in oak barrels.
Reserva: At least 3 years of aging, 1 year in oak barrels.
Gran Reserva: Minimum 5 years aging, 2 in oak barrels