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RiojaRed Wine
Rioja
Rioja
Rioja is a region in Spain with a long, glorious vinicultural history. Rioja wine, especially the red, has been on out tables for millenia The Rioja vineyards were planted even before the romans had invaded
The spanish have always loved wine and producing wine, Spain has more land planted than any other country, Although they do not produce the most wine because of there standards athority. It is record that in the mid 17 century the Mayor of Logroño banned carriages from passing along the roads next to cellars for fear that the vibration from these vehicles might affect the juice and the ageing of the wines.
Red Rioja
The "red Rioja" is most well known style of Rioja. Classic, bold, these wines taste mostly of their tempranillo roots and have a bright, fresh flavor to them. This goes extremely well with steak and other hearty meats. Serve red Riojas at 61F - they do not need decanting.
Rosé Rioja
The rosé version of Rioja is also fresh and strong, but has a lighter weight to it. They are predominantly Garnacha grapes, and are bright pink.
White Rioja
More greenish-yellow than white, Rioja Blanca has a light, fine aroma and flavor. These wines are made primarily with the Viura grape.
There are seven types of grapes used in making Rioja. Four are used for the red variety, which makes up 80% of all production. Three are used for the white variety, which is another 10%. The final 10% is rosé.
Red Grapes
Tempranillo - gentle, berry flavor
Garnacha Tinta - peppery
Graciano - blackberry
Mazuelo - tannin
White Grapes
Viura - tart
Malvasia - nutty
Garnacha Blanca - heavy
Rioja wines can come from three subregions
Alta
Alavesa
Baja
Anything from the Rioja region in general is labelled 'Rioja Calificada'. Rioja is the only Spanish wine able to use the term Calificada on its label.
Rioja is also labelled for quality depending on the type of aging the wine has gone through. Typical aging marks include:
Vino de Crianza - one year in a cask, at least three years old
Reserva - three years old, at least one in oak
Gran Reserva - two years in oak plus three in the bottle
Rioja is Spain's prominant wine producing region, with a history that stretches back millenia. There are many level o0f quality, ranging from easy drinking Crianzas and some Reservas, to the Reservas and Gran Reservas of the top estates which may cellar and improve for decades. Much of Riojas style very much depends on the prolonged ageing in American oak to which the Gran Reservas and, to a lesser extent the Reservas, are exposed.
The piticular grape to take note of is the Tempranillo, although there are some plantings of lesser grapes, including Garnacha Tinta (known as Grenache in France). Rioja is divided up into three regions, by far the most important of which is the Rioja Alta (which is also the name of one of the top estates). Slightly to the east are Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja, the former producing some drinkable wines, the latter less so.
Red Wine - Back to the main Red Wine Directory
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