Collection: D.O.Ca. Rioja

Rioja is true reference for quality wines, within Spain and abroad. Traditional ageing in wooden barrels was introduced to the area by French winegrowers seeking to flee the Phylloxera plague. For decades this led to the notion in Spain that quality wines needed to be extensively barrel-aged, giving rise to a lot of earthy Riojas. Here too, Spain's accession to the EEC (and a greater export market) gave rise to new investments and a revolution in wine culture. The main characteristic of modern Riojas is fruitiness, and although this is supported by wood ageing, it does not dominate.

Rioja was the first Spanish wine region that was given D.O. status in 1925. In 1991 the D.O. was promoted to D.O.Ca. Denominación de Origen Calificada (or Qualified Denomination of Origin), is a higher category reserved for wines that have demonstrated a proven consistency and quality over an extended period. 

D.O.Ca. Rioja is best known for its red wine, although both white and rosé wine are made here too. Most bodegas still blend red wines according to their own formulas using at least three grape varieties, the most important of which is Tempranillo, the noblest of the native Spanish grape varieties. This grape gives the wine its elegance, concentration of aromas and complexity of taste. It is this ingredient, combined with barrel ageing, that gives these wines their personality and individuality. 

At the same time, Rioja is in constant development. There is a wide range of Rioja styles nowadays. There are varietal wines, blended wines where the emphasis has shifted from wood to fruit; organic wines and top end Reservas and Gran Reservas.

Changes in winemaking over the past ten years have produced excellent results. New generations of winegrowers and winemakers have put their trust in updating equipment, with new wood and stainless steel barrels, as well as more emphasis on the careful selection of grapes at harvest and a longer ripening of the fruit before harvest.

Rioja producers have felt a need to strive for perfection which has contributed to the prestigious image that consumers have of Rioja as well as ensuring that Rioja wines are used as a reference around the world. Developments in both technical production and commercial structure in Rioja and the prestige enjoyed by its wines have also helped the area reach the top of historical European designations of origin.

© Photo: D.O.Ca Rioja