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Rioja

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Rioja, already renowned in the 19th century, is one of only two terroirs to benefit from the "Denominacion de Origen Calificada". Rioja owes its name to the river Oja (Rio Oja), as the appellation's vineyards are in no way tied to administrative boundaries. The Rioja vineyards straddle the Autonomous Communities of Navarre, the Basque Country and Castilla y León. This region is probably the best known of Spain's wine-producing provinces, producing, among other things, highly distinctive and renowned red wines. The reputation of Rioja wine can be assured by the quality of the products offered by Bodega Luis Cañas, Bodega Altanza or Castillo Labastida.

Most of the wine-growing region enjoys a continental climate, at an average altitude of 400m. Rioja red wines feature a typically Spanish grape variety, Tempranillo, most often combined with Grenache noir. Rioja wines are of the highest quality, thanks to strict control of yields and the use of old vines, as well as their own vinification and ageing techniques. The wines are aged for at least a few months in French and American barrels, and sometimes for several decades. Depending on ageing, there are 4 denomination categories in the Rioja appellation: "Rioja" for wines aged no more than a few months in oak barrels, "Rioja Crianza" for wines aged at least two years, including at least one year in oak, "Rioja Reserva" for wines aged at least three years, including one year in oak, and "Rioja Gran Reserva" for wines aged at least two years in oak and at least three years in bottle.

Let's face it. Given France's rich viticultural heritage, it's all too easy for wine lovers to be tempted to drink and taste without leaving the country's borders. That's a good thing for our winemakers, but encouraging curiosity and discovery of other lands by tasting their wines is also an excellent way to vary the pleasures on the palate.

Spain's tradition in this area goes back thousands of years, as does France. Its wines offer their services, their aromas, their perfumes, which are always a delicious echo of this country. There are many such wines, but let's focus on Rioja wines!

Rioja, a single appellation for excellence in the plural

First of all, you need to know that three Spanish territories share this name: the Montes Obarenes-Toloño and Cantabria sierras to the north, and the Demanda y Cameros sierras to the south. They are bathed by the Ebro River and its tributaries. Thus, 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, and Rioja baja to the east of the region, with its Mediterranean climate of sunshine, heat that often turns to drought, and sharp temperature differences. A few words about precipitation: it varies from west to east, from relief to valleys, with amplitude ranging from 350 to 500 mm per year. Within each of the three regions, there are many different terroirs, depending on altitude and the quality of their soils, which are very calcareous, rocky and exposed to sun and wind.

Choosing a bottle of Rioja wine

If you want to know all the subtleties of Rioja wines, choosing a bottle is the most important step, even if you know that all Rioja wines are synonymous with centuries-old tradition and high quality standards.

Red wines

If you prefer aromas of fruit and red berries, you'll prefer young red wines that will be the zealous servants of cheese platters, grilled meats and charcuterie, preferably Spanish to stay in the same Iberian family. Lovers of more mature tastes will be delighted by a bottle of older Rioja red wine, with its woody, black fruit, blueberry and blackberry aromas, which can be enjoyed with more structured dishes such as stews and stews, as well as grilled prime rib. If you prefer denser red wines, the Rioja Oriental, with its higher alcohol content, greater structure and long finish, is the perfect choice.

White wines

Wines from excellent vineyards can also be white. Among white Rioja wines, the one that stands out is Viura or Macabeu. These wines are best drunk chilled, which enhances their flavors of wild flowers, citrus and spring breezes. Drink as an aperitif, but also with light dishes, cheeses, fish, shellfish - in short, dishes that enjoy or recall the warm weather.

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