RIOJA WINE

“In vino veritas” (“In wine is the truth”). Pliny the Elder

 

HISTORY OF RIOJA WINE

The history of Rioja wine has an ancient tradition. The vine comes to La Rioja with the Romans, Phoenicians and Celtiberians, as evidenced by the discovery of various archaeological remains of wineries and wineries.

During the Middle Ages abounds and monasteries proliferate in the region around which the wine production is developed, although it is for local consumption.

The cities are increasing their population and the consumption of wine increases, becoming motor of economic development of the zone. Great quantities of wine were obtained, but of poor quality since all kinds of grapes were mixed, these were squeezed to the maximum and the hygiene was null.

During the fifteenth, sixteenth centuries the first municipal ordinances concerning wine appeared. In 1560, logroñeses growers choose a symbol that represents the quality of their wines. Gradually, measures are being implemented to increase production and improve quality, which made La Rioja a major producer and exporter of wine.

In 1787 the Real Sociedad de Cosecheros de la Rioja Castellana was created. Objectives: to promote the cultivation of the vine, the elaboration of wine, also its commercialization building and improving roads and bridges that facilitate the exit of the wine towards the north of Europe, through Santander After the devastating action of the phylloxera in France, to At the end of the 19th century, French winegrowers arrived in La Rioja to start up wineries with which to supply their market. With the new techniques of French exploitation and elaboration, Rioja wine reaches a quality hitherto unknown.

At the beginning of the 20th century the phylloxera invades La Rioja. Vines are cut and replanted with an American variety resistant to phylloxera. The region was plunged into a serious crisis that lasted more than two decades.

In 1926 the Regulatory Council was created, the first in Spain, with the objectives of delimiting the production area, controlling the issuance of the wine guarantee strap and establishing legal measures to control the use of the Rioja name. In 1970 the Rioja Denomination of Origin Regulation (D0) and the Regulatory Council (CR) were approved.

In 1990 he was granted the status of “Qualified”. Production areas, grape varieties, maximum yields and processing and breeding techniques are established. One more step in the recognition of Rioja wine.

 

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF RIOJA WINE

 

Geography and climate

The area covered by the Denomination of Origin extends along the Ebro river pass by the autonomous communities of La Rioja and the Basque Country, and to a lesser extent Navarre and Castilla Leon. The climate is continental with Mediterranean influence according to the zones, soft temperatures and average annual rainfall of 450500 liters per square meter. These characteristics make this a unique and privileged area for growing the vine.

It is divided into three production zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa.

La Rioja Alta occupies the westernmost part of the region extending along the left bank of the river Ebro. Moderate continental climate with Cantabrian influence. Soils, clay, calcareous clay and others of fluvial origin. The main cultivated variety is the Tempranillo grape, which provides red, fruity Rioja wines, balanced, especially suitable for breeding.

La Rioja Baja occupies the right bank of the river Ebro. Mainly loose soils of fluvial origin, also of the clayey type. The main cultivated variety is Garnacha, which gives frank, aromatic wines with less acidity and tannicity than those based on Tempranillo.

La Rioja Alavesa, south of the province of Alava, between the river Ebro and the Sierra de Cantabria. It enjoys a Mediterranean climate with great influence of the Bay of Biscay. Soils arcillocalcáreos. The main cultivated variety is the Tempranillo which, thanks to the climatic and soil conditions, provides great Rioja wines of the highest quality.

 

Types of grapes

89% of Rioja wines are red, and 86% of them are made with Tempranillo. The preferred ink throughout La Rioja is Tempranillo, and the authorized Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo and Maturana ink. White authorized are Garnacha blanca, Viura, Malvasia, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco and Torrontés.

 

Types of Rioja wines

Rioja Red wine, white and rosé wines are produced in Rioja. Depending on the aging time, the following types of wine are distinguished:

Rioja Young Wine: They do not go through aging in wooden barrels. They are the wines of Rioja Alavesa. Also called “wines of the year”

Vino Rioja Crianza: Crianza of one year in barrel.

Rioja Reserve Wine: Aging for at least two years, one of them in barrel and the rest in bottle. For rosé wine the minimum duration will be two years, of which six months in barrel; The same in the case of white wine.

Rioja Gran Reserva wine: A minimum of two years in barrel and three in bottle. In white wines the aging period is four years, of which at least six months in barrels.