Rioja

The wine region of Rioja extends for approx. 120 km along both sides of the Ebro River and is at its widest 50 km. Bound by mountains on either side, Rioja has always played a vital part of Spains history, Phoenician, Cathaginians, Romans, Moors as well as medival Crusaders have all played their part in the history. The Romans however made wine a part of their culture. Rioja is devided into three regions, Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baia. Rioja wines are normally a blend of various grape varieties and can be either red (tinto) or white (blanco) or rosé (rosado). La Rioja has a total of 57,000 hectares cultivated, yielding around 250 million liters of wine annually, of which 85% is red. The harvest time for most Rioja vineyards is September-October with the northern Rioja Alta having the latest harvest in late October. Among the Tintos, the best-known and most widely-used variety is Tempranillo. Other grapes used include Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, and Mazuelo. Rioja Blanco - Viura is the prominent grape (also known as Macabeo) and is normally blended with some Malvasía and Garnacha Blanca. In the white wines the Viura contributes mild fruitness, acidity and some aroma to the blend with Garnacha Blanca adding body and Malvasía adding aroma. Rosado's are mostly derived from th e Garnacha grapes.