La Rioja Wine Region

If you’re embarking on a cycling holiday in La Rioja, you probably have one thing on your mind… red wine! A region characterised by rich tradition and vibrant innovation; La Rioja is undeniably the fine wine capital of Spain. With 75 miles of terrain spanning from northwest to southeast, the region’s diverse climates, topography and social types contribute to its wine’s premier quality and variety of flavours.

Its famous deep red wines have been nurtured by historic wine producers for centuries but recently the region has seen a wave of ultra-modern bodegas pushing the boundaries and taking the wines to an even tastier height. Whether it be a glass of a traditional or modern-classical type, both are indisputably delicious. Fancy a taste? This is your Softies guide to the world-famous wines and breathtaking landscape of the famous La Rioja wine region.

The Geography – A region of many mountains and sunny days

Known by so many, its famous red wines are a product of the region’s warm, dry climate. The Cantabrian mountains, which lie at the north and west of Rioja, shelter the vineyards from the cold, wet air coming off of the Atlantic Ocean. The region is divided into three wine subregions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alaves and Rioja Oriental.

Rioja Alta is found in the western higher ground of La Rioja and continues to be the benchmark for traditionally produced Rioja wine. This area is home to the winemaking town of Haro which houses many of the best Bodegas (Muga, CVNE, La Rioja Alta & Roda). Here vineyards lie at higher altitudes on the slopes of the Sierra Cantabria making grapes that ripen late but retain their acidity – a perfect combination for wines that can age well.  

Rioja Alavesa consists of two separate enclaves which sit on the north edge of the region. While vineyards lie at a similar altitude to those in the Rioja Alta, their soils contain more limestone meaning that the wines show more acidity. Alvesa’s red wines can be distinguished by their delicious fruity scent.

Rioja Oriental is in the east which experiences a hotter, more Mediterranean climate. Soils here are extremely fertile and alluvial with a mix of clay and silt which retains heat and contributes to the richness of the wines. Wine here is fuller-bodied with a fruity taste and higher alcohol levels than produce from other sub-regions.

The Grapes – Tempranillo and Garnacha

While tempranillo grapes are at the heart of Rioja’s best wines, the use of Spanish garnacha grapes is increasingly popular amongst inquisitive winemakers in Rioja. Wines made from tempranillo grapes are abundantly fruity and light with a natural affinity for oak-ageing which gives them a silky texture and perfumed aroma.

However, Juan Bautista García, from Bodegas Paco García, claims that garnacha grapes “[reflect] the specific character of an area better than Tempranillo”. While garnacha has been historically and unfairly overlooked, it’s resurgence in Rioja has created a lot of excitement. These grapes are far more versatile and can be grown at various elevations and in almost all types of soils. At its best, garnacha can taste amazingly fruity and fresh. Taking on diverse, rich flavours from different soils, Garnacha is loyal to its location and conveys a real sense of place. In some wine varieties, the blend of tempranillo and garnacha is truly a match made in heaven.

Rioja Age Statements

Before we showcase some of the most famous Riojan wines, it’s firstly important to understand their labels:

• Joven: meaning ‘young’ in Spanish, is used to label wines that have no oak ageing.
• Crianza: meaning ‘upbringing’ in Spanish, is used to label vintage wines that have spent one year in an oak barrel or one year in a bottle before release.
• Reserva: meaning ‘reserve’ in Spanish, is used to label wines that have spent a minimum of one year in an oak barrel or two in a bottle. Reserves wines are some of Rioja’s finest.
• Gran Reserva: meaning ‘great reserve’, is used to label the best vintage wines where the fruit quality is good enough to endure two years in an oak barrel or three in a bottle.

5 Must-Taste Riojan Wines

1. Viña Ardanza Reserva (78% Tempranillo, 22% Garnacha)

Well, its accolades speak for themselves. This wine receives the best reviews from star wine critic Robert Parker and Wine Spectator magazine every single year! This product from the century-old La Rioja Alta winery is the delicious epitome of what it is to be a classic Rioja. Flavours of cherries and strawberries intermingle with hints of vanilla and delicate spices. Everything about this refined red wine is perfectly balanced and well-paired with cured cheeses or red meats.

2. Viña Tondonia Reserva (70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 5% Graciano, 5% Mazuela)

Synonymous with its birthplace, the town of Haro, this is another famous label to emerge from the Rioja Alta wine region. Viña Tondonia Reserva is a standout amongst the most traditional varieties of La Rioja for its elegant maturity with spiced flavours and a silky texture. Its taste is a true testament to extensive maturation in oak barrels with hints of vanilla, leather, cherries and plums. Pair with mushrooms, soft cheeses, charcuterie and red and white meats to experience its full potential of flavours.

3. La Cueva de Contador (100% Tempranillo)

Made entirely from tempranillo grapes, this wine is aged for 18 months in oak barrels. One of Robert Parker’s favourite Riojas, it’s a fresh red wine with ripe red and black fruit aromas alongside hints of oak and balsamic. A sip will leave you with a pleasant aftertaste that calls for more.

4. Torre Muga (75% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuela, 10% Graciano)

A wine with grace and elegance, its tears slowly descend the glass. This purple-hued Rioja is a young variety from Muga Winery where it spends only 24 months in oak barrels. If there is one thing that makes Muga stand out amongst other Riojan wineries, it’s their commitment to traditional methods of winemaking.  Their integrity creates one-of-a-kind wined with an unmistakable character.

5. Quiñón de Valmira (80% Garnacha)

This single vineyard, owned by Palacios Remondo family winery, sits in the Rioja Oriental whose high altitude give freshness and vibrancy to its special wines. When it comes to naming wine legends, Álvaro Palacios is one of the first to come to mind. The Palacios Remondo family hold a gift for combining varieties and landscapes in a spectacular way. You can experience this for yourself in Quiñón de Valmira. This single-variety Garnacha wine isn’t the cheapest but you are guaranteed to fall in love.

For more information on our cycling holidays in Rioja, call our cycle experts today on 020 3944 8516.