Rioja

1. Climate and weather:

• Rioja experiences a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters, tempered by Atlantic and Mediterranean influences. The region's vineyards are inland, but the Atlantic Ocean's influence is felt due to the Ebro River, which runs through the region and moderates temperatures.
• The three subregions of Rioja are Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja). Rioja Alta and Alavesa have cooler temperatures and higher rainfall due to their proximity to the Sierra de Cantabria mountains, which offer some protection from the Atlantic winds. In contrast, Rioja Oriental is warmer and drier, with more Mediterranean influences.

 
2. Soils, slope, and aspect:

• The soils in Rioja are diverse, with clay, limestone, and alluvial soils found throughout the region. Iron-rich ferrous clay is particularly prevalent in Rioja Alta, while calcareous clay and chalky soils are more common in Rioja Alavesa. Rioja Oriental has more alluvial and sandy soils.
• Vineyards in Rioja Alta and Alavesa are often planted on slopes and terraces, providing optimal sunlight exposure and drainage, while vineyards in Rioja Oriental are generally flatter.

 
3. Grape varieties and key characteristics:

• The dominant grape variety in Rioja is Tempranillo, known for its medium to full body, moderate acidity, and fine tannins.
• Other permitted red varieties include Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo, which can be blended with Tempranillo to enhance complexity, structure, and aging potential.

 
4. Vinification practices and aging requirements:

• Traditional Rioja winemaking often involves oak aging, with specific requirements for each category:
• Joven: Young wines with little to no oak aging, typically released the year following the harvest.
• Crianza: Minimum 24 months aging, including at least 12 months in oak barrels.
• Reserva: Minimum 36 months aging, including at least 12 months in oak barrels (often American oak).
• Gran Reserva: Minimum 60 months aging, including at least 24 months in oak barrels.
• Rioja is one of the few Spanish wine regions with the prestigious Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) status, which is granted to regions with a proven track record of consistent quality and adherence to strict production standards.

 
5. Subregions and business:

• Rioja Alta: Located in the western part of the region, it is known for producing elegant and age-worthy wines with a focus on Tempranillo.
• Rioja Alavesa: This subregion, located to the north of the Ebro River, produces wines with good acidity and structure, often blending Tempranillo with other local grape varieties.
• Rioja Oriental: The warmer and drier conditions in this subregion result in wines that are more fruit-forward and higher in alcohol. It is also known for producing a larger proportion of Garnacha-based wines.

  

Tasting notes:

Joven - Good Quality:
 
Appearance: Medium ruby.
 
Nose: Youthful, with medium intensity aromas of red cherry, raspberry, and a hint of black pepper.
 
Palate: Dry, with medium body, medium tannins, and medium acidity. Flavors of red fruit, such as red cherry and raspberry, along with subtle earthy notes.
 
Finish: Medium length, with lingering red fruit flavors.
 
Conclusion: This is a good quality Rioja Joven, offering fresh red fruit flavors and moderate complexity, best enjoyed in its youth.
 
Crianza - Very Good Quality:
 
Appearance: Medium garnet.
Nose: Developing, with medium+ intensity aromas of ripe red and black fruit, such as plum and black cherry, along with subtle vanilla and cedar notes from oak aging.
 
Palate: Dry, with medium+ body, medium+ tannins, and medium acidity. Flavors of ripe black cherry, plum, vanilla, and cedar.
 
Finish: Medium+ length, with ripe fruit and oak notes lingering.
 
Conclusion: A very good quality Rioja Crianza, with ripe fruit flavors balanced by oak influence, showing potential for further development with a few more years of aging.
 
Reserva - Outstanding Quality:
 
Appearance: Deep garnet.
 
Nose: Fully developed, with pronounced intensity aromas of dried red fruit, tobacco, leather, and sweet spices, such as clove and cinnamon.
 
Palate: Dry, with a full body, high tannins, and medium acidity. Complex flavors of dried cherry, tobacco, leather, sweet spices, and a hint of dark chocolate.
 
Finish: Long, with layers of dried fruit, spice, and tertiary notes lingering.
 
Conclusion: An outstanding quality Rioja Reserva, with impressive complexity and depth of flavor. This wine is fully developed and ready to drink now, but can age further for added complexity.
 
Gran Reserva - Outstanding Quality:
 
Appearance: Deep garnet with a slightly brick hue.
 
Nose: Fully developed, with pronounced intensity aromas of dried black fruit, tobacco, leather, forest floor, and well-integrated oak notes.
 
Palate: Dry, with a full body, high tannins, and medium+ acidity. Layers of complex flavors include dried blackberry, plum, tobacco, leather, forest floor, and subtle vanilla from oak aging.

​Finish: Long, with persistent flavors of dried fruit, earthy notes, and well-integrated oak.
 
Conclusion: An outstanding quality Rioja Gran Reserva, displaying incredible complexity, depth, and balance. This wine has reached its peak and can be enjoyed now, but can also age gracefully for several more years.