Rioja: Wine Olympus in Spain

Besides Priorat, Rioja is the only Spanish wine-growing region classified as D.O.Ca. It is also the oldest Spanish wine region, the geographical boundaries of which were officially defined in 1925. In 1991, Calificada certification was added. However, wine-growing in Rioja has a much, much longer tradition. The Romans laid the foundation for today's wine-growing here. However, the Moors almost brought the wine industry to a standstill from the 7th century onwards. It was only the monasteries in the Middle Ages that brought the wine industry back to life - especially because of the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. Due to the phylloxera disaster at the end of the 19th century, Rioja wines were in great demand. While the vineyards in France were almost completely destroyed by the louse, the Spanish Rioja was spared from the plague for a long time. This opened up completely new trading markets, which are still served very conscientiously today.

Rioja has now become something like the epitome of Spanish wine. And not without reason. The production regulations are as strict as the marketing is aggressive. The variety of wines is gigantic. The focus is still on red wines based on Tempranillo, but white wines and rosés are also now in focus. As are sparkling wines. Before we look at the styles, here are a few hard facts so that you can better classify the Rioja wines for your range.

Rioja wine: geography and climate

The Rioja winds its way for around 100 kilometres as a 40-kilometre-wide band on both banks of the Ebro along the southern foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains. The wine-growing region can be divided into three sub-areas, which are grouped around the capital, Logroño. Rioja Alavesa is on the north bank of the Ebro and west of Logroño. Further south on the Ebro, the largest sub-area is Rioja Alta. Wine-growing in both sub-regions is characterised by altitudes between 500 and 900 metres. The climate is influenced by the Atlantic and is generally temperate to warm.

East of Logroño, mainly on the southern bank of the Ebro, lies Rioja Oriental, which was once also known as Rioja Baja. Here the climate is less maritime, but is characterised by continental influences. Hot summers and harsh winters alternate. In addition, there is very little rainfall in Rioja Oriental. Drought is a very serious issue here.

Rioja-Wein: Good to know

Rioja wines and the new quality concepts

As D.O.Ca, the designation of origin of all Rioja wines is protected per se. In addition, the Rioja Board of Directors set additional quality criteria in 2019. These have nothing to do with the ripening stages such as Crianza or Reserva, but relate to the grape origin and vinification - and not to the development. Here is an overview of the individual quality terms:

• Viñas viejas: Wine consisting of at least 90% grapes from old vines (35 to 90 years old).
• Viñas centenarias: 90% of the grapes come from vines that are more than 100 years old.
• Viñas prefiloxéricas: This wine comes from vines that were planted before 1900 - and thus before the phylloxera.
• Viñedos de altura: Here, at least 90% of all grapes must come from vineyards at an altitude of at least 550 meters.
• Madurados en Bodegas: Translated, this means "matured in the winery". Reference to wood aging is not permitted here.
• Ediciones oder colecciones seleccionadas y limitadas: Indicates the limited quantity of a particular wine. The producer must indicate the number of bottles on the label.
• Viñedos en propiedad: If a producer has cultivated a vineyard continuously for at least 10 years and uses 90% of the grapes from there to make a wine, he can indicate "producer vineyard" on the label.
• Embotellados en la propiedad: Producer bottling. This means that the producer is not only the bottler, but also the owner of the brand.
• Nuevas elaboraciones con lías/hormigón/tinajas de barro: The terms ‘lías (yeast), hormigón (concrete tank) or tinajas de barro (ceramic) may be used without the addition of madurado (matured).
• Viñedos singulares: Since 2017, bodegas from small regions of origin such as districts, municipalities or vineyard locations have been allowed to indicate a special terroir on the back of the wine label.
• Vino de Pueblo: This designation has replaced the term Vino de Municipio for local wines from the 2024 vintage. All 144 Rioja municipalities may use it and add their own location if at least 85% of the grapes also come from this municipality.

Rioja wine styles

A total of 14 grape varieties are permitted in Rioja: 5 red and 9 white grapes. Although Tempranillo makes up two-thirds of the vineyard area, numerous wine styles are possible. In addition, there are the different ripeness levels Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva, which also define the style. 75% of the wines are red. Rosé wines make up 15%, white wines 10%. From slim and fruity to mature, deep and complex, there is everything in all wine colors. Nevertheless, we try to square the circle of enjoyment.

Red wines

• Rioja Alta: The best Tempranillo wines in the region are produced here, as the wines have more finesse due to the altitude. The wines generally have a high proportion of acid and tannin and are preferably aged in barrels.
• Rioja Alavesa: Known for predominantly slim, fruity and yet spicy red wines with a medium alcohol content. The wines are particularly enjoyable when young, but can also age well. However, they are not as storable as the wines from the Rioja Alta.
• Rioja Oriental: The red Garnacha grape variety dominates this subregion. The wines usually have a strong body and a high alcohol content. They are often aged in barrels and are ideal accompaniments to hearty winter dishes.

White wines

The main grape variety for a Vino Blanco is Viura (also known as Macabeo), which is flanked by Alarije, Garnacha Blanca, Maturant Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, Torrontés and of course Verdejo. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have also been permitted since 2007, but together they can only make up a maximum of 50% of a wine. The white Rioja wines are usually very juicy and drinkable, have a warm character and shine with lots of fruit.

Rosé wines

A rosé is usually made from the Tempranillo grape variety. The wines are slim and fruity and are perfect as summer wines or as an accompaniment to lighter Mediterranean dishes. While the red wines are almost exclusively dry, there are still many semi-dry varieties in the rosé wines..

Sparkling wines

With the Espumoso de Rioja, the region also has its own sparkling wine, which is made using traditional bottle fermentation. All 14 grape varieties are permitted for production. However, the rosé variant requires 25% red grapes. A yeast storage period of 15 months is required. The sparkling wines are very different, but all reflect the warm character of the region.

Rioja wines in detail

Rioja: Economic factor wine

Rioja wines were, are and will probably remain Spain's strongest wine-loving draw. This is due, on the one hand, to the diversity of the plants. On the other hand, the growing region has also built up a strong reputation over the centuries, which has been expanded through clever marketing in recent decades. Rioja wines are still a guaranteed sales figure with a good price-enjoyment ratio for your customers - and usually a reasonable margin for you.

Nevertheless, Rioja also has to face up to changing consumer habits. For example, there is a lot of movement in the export markets. As the Rioja Regulatory Council itself reports, exports to Great Britain shrank by 11.45% in 2022, for example. Exports to Belgium (+27.13%) and Mexico (+27.13%) as well as to Switzerland (+7.14%), Sweden (+7.10%), the Netherlands (+6.85%) and Germany (+4.86%) increased. The export volume increased slightly, but was mainly redistributed. This shows how agile the Regulatory Council is in responding to market changes.

Your selling points for Rioja wines

• Rioja wines usually do not need to be explained to customers because they are very well known
• Wines in every price segment, so that many different customers can be targeted
• Many well-known brand names make selling easy
• You can also offer real insider tips
• All wine colors and styles are represented, so that your own range can be broadly structured