【德國西南部】巴登（Baden）
Rioja (Northern Spain)
Rioja (Northern Spain)Rioja (Northern Spain)
When it comes to Spanish wine, the name Rioja is undoubtedly one of the hottest. With its long winemaking history, exceptional quality, and unparalleled flavor, it has become a classic choice among wine enthusiasts worldwide. Now, let’s savor this enchanting region, exploring everything from its geography to its grape varieties, and delve into the infinite charm of Rioja.
[Northern Spain] Rioja
Location: Located in the Ebro River Valley in northern Spain.
Area: The vineyard area of this region reaches 65,326 hectares, making it one of Spain's most renowned wine regions, with over 500 wineries and an annual production exceeding 300 million liters.
Main Grape Varieties: Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache), Graciano, Mazuelo (Carignan)【Red】; Viura (Macabeo), Malvasía Riojana, Garnacha Blanca【White】.
Famous Wines: Marqués de Riscal Reserva, CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva, Bodegas Muga Blanco, etc.
Geographical Location
Located in northern Spain, along the Ebro River Valley, the Rioja wine region derives its name from the Rio Oja, which flows through it, while the Oja River itself is a tributary of the Ebro River. It is divided into three main sub-regions: Rioja Alta (the western highlands), Rioja Alavesa (the northern Basque region), and Rioja Oriental (the southeast, formerly known as Rioja Baja). Each sub-region's unique topography and climate bestow different flavors and layers to the wines.
Environmental Characteristics
The unique quality of Rioja wines is due to the interplay of two climates—the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates:
Climate:
Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa: Influenced by the Atlantic, they have a mild maritime climate with significant temperature variations between day and night, and adequate rainfall, helping to maintain grape acidity.
Rioja Oriental: Close to the Mediterranean, the climate is warm and dry, suitable for heat-resistant varieties like Grenache, ensuring the grapes fully ripen.
Soil:
Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa: Predominantly calcareous clay, giving the wines an elegant mineral flavor.
Rioja Oriental: Mainly alluvial soil and ferriferous clay, providing a fuller fruit flavor and structural feel.
Production Data: The total vineyard area is approximately 65,326 hectares, with 673 wineries and 16,413 vineyards, yielding over 300 million liters of grapes annually, making it one of Spain's most significant wine regions.
*Rioja wine region, source: Vineyards
Main Grape Varieties:
1. Tempranillo
Description: Its name originates from the Spanish word "temprano," meaning "early ripening," accounting for 75% of the grape cultivation area in Rioja, hailed as "Spain's national treasure variety."
Taste Characteristics: Showcasing mature red fruits (cherry, blackberry, plum), dill, and herbal notes, with delicate tannins and balanced structure, suitable for long aging.
*Tempranillo grape variety
2. Garnacha (Grenache)
Description: Garnacha is drought-resistant and high-yielding, often used in blends to enhance fruitiness and body, typically employed as a supporting grape to Tempranillo or in the production of Rosado (rosé) wines, primarily distributed in the Rioja Oriental region.
Taste Characteristics: Offers aromas of red fruits like strawberry and raspberry, with a full structure, accompanied by spicy and meaty flavors, a smooth mouthfeel, and rich fruitiness.
*Garnacha grape variety
3. Graciano
Description: A late-ripening variety, low-yielding but vital for enhancing wine acidity, color stability, and aging potential, thus often integrated as an essential blend component.
Taste Characteristics: Offers violet, red fruit, and mineral aromas, high acidity, and strong structure, providing a rich but elegant palate. With aging, it can develop complex flavors of dried fruit, leather, and roasted coffee.
*Graciano grape variety
4. Mazuelo (Carignan)
Description: Mazuelo is one of the historically significant grape varieties in Rioja, currently making up about 3% of the total area. This variety is known for its deep color, high tannins, and acidity, mainly used in blends to enhance wine structure and stability.
Taste Characteristics: Exhibits aromas of black plum, black cherry, dried herbs, and earthy notes, with strong tannins and pronounced acidity, making it an ideal base for long aging. After carbonic maceration or oak barrel aging, it can reveal smoother textures and complex layers, such as licorice, chocolate, and smoky flavors.
*Mazuelo grape variety
5. Viura (Macabeo)
Description: Viura is the most important white grape variety in Rioja, used in the production of fresh or aged white wines. Fermenting in stainless steel preserves the fruity aroma, while aging in oak barrels adds more complexity and richness.
Taste Characteristics: Featuring fresh citrus fruits (such as lemon, lime), green apple, and white flower aromas, it develops flavors of honey, nuts, and minerals with age. Crisp and balanced acidity makes it suitable for both youthful consumption and significant aging potential.
*Viura grape variety
Famous Wines
1. Marqués de Riscal Reserva
Main Grape Varieties: Primarily Tempranillo, blended with a small amount of Garnacha and Graciano.
Tasting Notes: This wine showcases the aromas of ripe red fruits (such as cherries and plums) combined with spices (such as cinnamon), along with vanilla, coconut, and smoky notes from oak barrel aging. It has a balanced structure, delicate tannins, and a long finish, suitable for medium to long-term aging.
Winemaking Process: Hand-picked grapes are aged for at least 12 months in American or French oak barrels, followed by further maturation in bottles for several months before release, ensuring the wine's balance and delicacy.
Historical Background: Founded in 1858, Marqués de Riscal is one of the most historically significant wineries in the Rioja region, being the first to introduce the winemaking techniques of the Bordeaux region of France into Spain, including the use of French oak barrels for aging, paving the way for high-quality wines from Rioja.
*Marques de Riscal Reserva 2019
2. CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva
Main Grape Varieties: Primarily Tempranillo, blended with a small amount of Graciano and Mazuelo.
Tasting Notes: This wine showcases the aromas of blackberries, cherries, and vanilla, accompanied by smooth tannins and minerality, with a silky palate and long finish, representing the classic Rioja style.
Winemaking Process: After hand-picking, the grapes are cooled to preserve fruit aroma and color stability. Fermentation and aging occur in small oak barrels, aged for at least 24 months in French and American oak barrels, and then further bottle aging for over 3 years before release.
Historical Background: Imperial Gran Reserva is produced only in exceptional years and is the flagship product of CVNE winery, renowned in the international market for its sophistication and elegance.
*CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva
3. Bodegas Muga Blanco
Main Grape Varieties: Primarily Viura, supplemented with a small amount of Malvasía.
Tasting Notes: Fresh citrus, green apple, and honey aromas combine with minerality. The acidity is lively and balanced, making it a paradigm of Rioja white wine. With aging, it develops deeper flavors such as roasted nuts and beeswax.
Winemaking Process: Using traditional methods, fermentation and aging occur in oak barrels for several months to enhance the body and complexity. (Muga is one of the few wineries that still uses homemade oak barrels for production.)
Historical Background: Established in 1932, Bodegas Muga is widely acclaimed for its traditional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, with its white wine series gaining increasing international recognition in recent years.
*Bodegas Muga Blanco 2018
4. Remelluri Blanco
Main Grape Varieties: Viura, Muscat, and Malvasía.
Tasting Notes: This white wine displays aromas of honey, lemon zest, roasted nuts, and minerality, with fresh acidity and a long finish.
Winemaking Process: Grown organically, grapes are hand-picked and fermented separately by plot, then aged in oak barrels for several months to enhance richness and complexity. The winery emphasizes expressing local terroir, with each bottle reflecting the uniqueness of its vineyard.
Historical Background: Founded by monks in the 14th century, Remelluri is one of the oldest wineries in Rioja. After being revitalized under Jaime Rodríguez in 1967, his son Telmo Rodríguez further promoted organic farming and traditional techniques, making Remelluri Blanco a standout among Rioja whites.
*Remelluri Blanco 2020
