| Rioja - without a doubt Spain's most celebrated | | | | by the DOCa Rioja - tempranillo, garnacha, |
| wine and the region itself has fast become one of | | | | graziano and mezuela take care of the red wines |
| the best known and most prestigious in the world. | | | | and viura, malvaisa and garnacha blanca formulate |
| The wine producing area itself is located in central | | | | the white whine line up. Tempranillo is the most |
| northern Spain and includes the la Rioja region as | | | | famous of these varieties and one of the most |
| well as the neighbouring provinces of Alava and | | | | celebrated in the world - its complexity and |
| Navarre. The growing region can also be classified | | | | versatility of flavour forms the basis of Rioja's |
| in another way into Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and | | | | reputation and it also grows and develops with |
| Rioja Baja. It is the Alta region that is famous for | | | | aging. Some "bodegas" (wine houses) have begun |
| creating the best wines. A lot of the wines | | | | experimenting with Shiraz and Cabernet vines and |
| produced have traditionally been blends of grapes | | | | although they're not allowed to be added to |
| from all three areas but demand has increased | | | | Rioja's as yet it is this willingness to adapt and |
| for more "single zone" wines in recent years. | | | | develop that places the region in such a strong |
| A hint at the pedigree of the region can be seen | | | | position. |
| by the fact that it was assigned DO (designation | | | | Rioja has certainly felt the challenge from the |
| of origin) status as long ago as 1925, and, in 1991 | | | | new world wines over the last decade or so with |
| received the coveted DOCa (Qualified designation | | | | vast vineyards and equally vast marketing |
| of origin), a higher category reserved for wines | | | | budgets attempting to topple the old guard from |
| that have maintained a high level of consistent | | | | France and Spain from the top of the perch. |
| quality over a long period of time. Not many wine | | | | Public demand for more robust and fruity wines |
| regions have this status and Rioja is indeed in | | | | has meant that the producers from Rioja have |
| illustrious company on this exclusive list. | | | | had to adapt. Traditionally a more subtle and |
| The growing region itself is centred around the | | | | delicate wine, Rioja producers have changed the |
| 40km (25 miles) wide Ebro Valley with 62,000 | | | | grape blends in some of their wines to meet the |
| hectares of vineyards packed into the area. The | | | | ever changing market and these changes have |
| grapes are planted on terraces that can reach as | | | | been met with success. Sales of Rioja have |
| high as 700 metres in altitude. The soil is perfect | | | | doubled in the UK in the last four years and the |
| for viticulture - a blend of sand, limestone and | | | | Brits are now the biggest consumers of the wine |
| clay, slightly alkaline and with the necessary supply | | | | outside of Spain. |
| of water needed for the nurture of the vines | | | | The future is looking bright for Spain's most |
| throughout the summer months. The climate is | | | | famous wine, investment in technology and |
| also ideal with protection coming from the north | | | | resources in the region is high and the producers |
| and south from the Sierra de Cantabria and the | | | | are all looking to the future to make sure that |
| Sierra de la Demanda respectively. Mild | | | | Rioja maintains its place at the forefront of the |
| temperatures and a high annual rainfall help to | | | | red wine world - this blend of innovation mixed |
| provide the perfect grape growing conditions. | | | | with the tradition that is inherent within the region |
| There are seven main grape varieties recognised | | | | should stand the producers in good stead. |