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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Artadi La Hoya 2020
From £60.00
This pure, organic Tempranillo is the perfect expression of a single-vineyard wine...Read More...
Petra de Valpiedra Rioja 2019
From £46.00
An outstanding wine created as a tribute to Garnacha, once the queen of Rioja vineyards...Read More...
Bodegas Pujanza 'Hado' Rioja 2019
From £18.50
Bold, rich & fresh, Hado is the perfect introduction to Pujanza Rioja...Read More...
Bodegas Pujanza La Paul Rioja 2017
From £36.00
A Rioja of essence & personality from one of the region's First Growth producers...Read More...
Bodegas Pujanza Valdepoleo Rioja 2019/20
From £28.00
An impeccable, fresh, vibrant & harmonious Rioja crafted by Carlos San Pedro...Read More...
Finca Martelo Rioja Reserva 2016
From £37.00
An intensely flavoured site specific Rioja Reserva showing great elegance and poise...Read More...
Palacios Remondo Propiedad Viñas Viejas Rioja 2021
From £36.00
The flagship red of Palacios Remondo is a silky smooth Grenache of exceptional finesse...Read More...
Coto de Imaz Rioja Reserva 2019
From £19.00
A velvety smooth Rioja Reserva aged for 18 months in new American oak...Read More...
Coto de Imaz Rioja Gran Reserva 2018
From £26.00
A mature & elegant Rioja Gran Reserva with a concentrated, silky smooth palate & long finish...Read More...
El Coto Rioja Rosado 2022
From £11.00
Spanish rosé bursting with aromas of Strawberry, Raspberry & candied cherries...Read More...
Finca Allende Rioja Rosado 2018
From £26.00
A delicious Rioja Rosado crafted by famed winemaker Miguel Ángel de Gregorio...Read More...
C.V.N.E. Contino Rioja Reserva 2020
From £26.00
A high Graciano content gives incredible freshness to this single estate Riojan legend...Read More...
C.V.N.E Contino Rioja Viña del Olivo 2018
From £62.00
Single Estate Rioja, regarded as one of the best wines of modern Spain...Read More...
C.V.N.E. Imperial Rioja Gran Reserva 2015
From £50.00
One of the finest Rioja's, vintage after vintage Imperial is beautifully elegant & balanced...Read More...
C.V.N.E. Imperial Real de Asúa Rioja 2015
From £55.00
No Reserva or Gran Reserva designation, this is simply Real de Asúa...Read More...
C.V.N.E. Asúa Rioja Reserva 2019/20
From £21.00
Great value Rioja Reserva from the C.V.N.E stable...Read More...
C.V.N.E. Asúa Rioja Crianza 2021
From £13.50
A fantastic value, super juicy Rioja Crianza from the renowned stable of C.V.N.E...Read More...
Viña Ardanza Rioja Reserva 2017
From £29.50
An outstanding Rioja of pure pleasure from a superb vintage...Read More...
Viña Ardanza Selección Especial Rioja Reserva | Magnum (150cl)
£70.00
An outstanding Rioja of pure pleasure from a superb vintage...Read More...
Viña Arana Rioja Gran Reserva 2016
From £46.00
Fantastic value Rioja Gran Reserva produced by La Rioja Alta...Read More...
Conde Valdemar Rioja Rosé 2023
From £12.50
A fruity, delicate style of rosé from the La Rioja region of Spain...Read More...
Bodegas Ondarre Rioja Gran Reserva 2018
From £17.50
Great value, elegant and velvety Gran Reserva Rioja from an excellent vintage...Read More...
Conde Valdemar Rioja Blanco 2023
From £12.00
A refreshing unoaked white Rioja from the respected family-owned Bodegas Valdemar...Read More...
La Rioja Alta S.A. 904 Rioja Gran Reserva 'Selección Especial' 2015
From £70.00
Year after year this is one of the best value wines in the world...Read More...