Spain | Rioja
The Rioja wine region is located in northern Spain, on both sides of the River Ebro. It was the first Spanish wine region to obtain DO status in 1925 and in 1991, it was promoted to DOCa (Qualified Designation of Origin), a higher category reserved for wines maintaining a proven consistency and quality over a long period of time.
Geographically, Rioja is divided in to three districts: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental (called Rioja Baja until 2018) and while each district has distinct differences, there is no hierarchy of quality between them. Rioja Alavesa lies in the northwest of the La Rioja region in the Basque province of Álava. Along with Rioja Alta, it is the heartland of the Tempranillo grape.
Rioja Alta, to the north-west and south of the Ebro River in the province of La Rioja, stretches as far as the city of Logroño. Elegance and poise is the hallmark of wines made here. Rioja Oriental, located to the south-east, is the hottest of the three districts and specialises in wines made from the Garnacha grape.
Rioja produces a collection of red, white and rosé wines, but it is the reds that account for the greater part of its fame. Ageing classifications have, until recently, been the primary means for separating one wine from another.
Rioja Joven (‘young’) wines are destined for early drinking and they often see little or no oak and are only aged for one to two years before release.
Rioja labelled as Crianza are aged for two years (one year in oak and one year in bottle) and are best suited for early or mid-term enjoyment.
Rioja Reserva wines are aged for three years, often one year in oak and two years in bottle; however there are producers who go above and beyond this requirement with their Reserva wines. Rioja Reserva wines can be age-worthy or offer serious immediate consumption.
Rioja Gran Reserva wines have been regarded as the region’s pinnacle; they are at least five years old (two years in oak barrel and three years in bottle) and are generally ready to drink. But they can age for years too; their long barrel ageing often renders them gentle and complex, rather than big and rich.
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Imperial Rioja Reserva 2019
From £29.00
Instantly recognisable to all Rioja aficionados the heritage of this wine speaks for itself...Read More...
Izadi Rioja `Selección` Blanco 2023
From £19.50
The first Rioja white wine produced using all six indigenous grape varieties...Read More...
Viña Santurnia Rioja Gran Reserva 2011
From £29.00
A velvety smooth, complex & elegant Rioja Gran Reserva from the excellent 2010 vintage...Read More...
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Rioja Explorer Six
£89.00£94.50
Six bottles that showcase the varying styles, grapes & colours Rioja has to offer...Read More...
Viña Santurnia Rioja Crianza 2019
From £15.75
Velvety smooth Rioja Crianza made from pure Tempranillo grown in the Sierra de Cantabria foothills...Read More...
Viña Ardanza Rioja Reserva | Jeroboam (300cl)
£190.00
An emblematic Rioja showing exquisite balance, silkiness & opulence in Jeroboam bottle size format...Read More...
Viña Arana Rioja Gran Reserva | Magnum (150cl)
£85.00
Large format bottle of fantastic value Rioja Gran Reserva produced by La Rioja Alta...Read More...
Bodega Lanzaga 'Lanzaga' Rioja 2019
From £31.00
A rich, sophisticated & complex Rioja with a true sense of place that ages wonderfully...Read More...
Bodegas Lanzaga 'LZ' Rioja 2022
From £20.00
A tribute to grape growers of the 1920's, LZ keeps alive the memory of taste...Read More...
Imperial Rioja Gran Reserva 2012 | Magnum (150cl)
£110.00
An icon of Rioja & Spain, this is the jewel in C.V.N.E's crown...Read More...
Bideona Mayela Rioja Alavesa 2023
From £12.00
A contemporary, juicy & unoaked Rioja featuring a lucky dip of label artwork...Read More...
Finca Valpiedra Rioja Blanco Reserva 2017
From £60.00
A limited edition Rioja Blanco Reserva that is creamy, fresh & beautifully balanced...Read More...
Monopole Clásico Rioja Blanco Seco 2019/20
From £26.00
Viura blended with a little Manzanilla Sherry to produce a unique & moreish white wine...Read More...
Finca Allende Rioja Blanco 2019
From £26.00
A deliciously harmonious, juicy & unique barrel fermented white Rioja...Read More...
La Rioja Alta S.A. Gran Reserva 890 Selección Especial 2010
From £170.00
Intense, complex & elegant, it's drinkable now but has a long life ahead of it!...Read More...
El Coto Organic Rioja Crianza 2021
From £16.00
A Rioja Crianza made from 100% organically grown Tempranillo grapes...Read More...
Bodegas Zugober Belezos Rioja Crianza | Half Bottle
£8.50
Classic Rioja from the quality focussed, family-owned, Bodegas ZugoberRead More...
Viña Real Rioja Crianza 2021
From £11.75
A classic Rioja Alavesa. Smooth & silky with perfectly integrated tannins & fresh long finish...Read More...
Viña Real Barrel Fermented Rioja Blanco 2020
From £11.50
A masterclass in well-judged subtle oak with a hint of spice & vanilla to finish...Read More...
Viña Real Rioja Rosado 2023
From £10.75
A pale pink Rioja made in the true Viña Real understated elegant style...Read More...
Viña Real Rioja Gran Reserva 2016
From £30.00
A masterclass in marrying power with refinement, this is a highly respected Rioja Gran Reserva...Read More...
Bodegas Pujanza Norte 2018
From £56.00
High-scoring, single-vineyard Rioja of breathtaking quality & voted Decanter's Wine of the Year...Read More...
Macán Clásico Rioja | Magnum (150cl)
£120.00
Vega Sicilia & Benjamin de Rothschild's Macán Clásico Rioja in large bottle format...Read More...
Artadi Viñas de Gain Tinto 2020
From £33.00
A fresh & fruit driven juicy Tempranillo with a silky smooth finish...Read More...