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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Conde Valdemar Rioja Tempranillo 2023
From £12.50
Pure, juicy unoaked Tempranillo from the Rioja Alavesa...Read More...
Finca Valpiedra Rioja Reserva 2016
From £27.00
A single vineyard Rioja of spectacular quality from Familia Martínez Bujanda...Read More...
Conde Valdemar Rioja Reserva 2017
From £21.00
An award-winning Rioja Reserva made from estate grown Tempranillo, Graciano & Garnacha...Read More...
Conde Valdemar Rioja Gran Reserva 2015
From £30.00
Conde Valdemar Rioja Edición Limitada 2018
From £42.00
Valdemar Balcón de Pilatos Maturana 2019
£33.00
Maturana Tinta, a near extinct red variety not grown anywhere else in the world...Read More...
Macán Rioja 2018
From £88.00
The outstanding flagship Rioja of Benjamín de Rothschild & Vega Sicillia...Read More...
Macán Clásico Rioja 2018
From £49.00
Freshness, fruitiness & delicacy are the hallmarks of Macán Clásico...Read More...
Viña Eguía Rioja Tempranillo Mazuelo 2022
From £11.00
Great value Rioja from a well respected producer...Read More...
Artadi Valdeginés 2019
From £47.00
Silky-smooth organic red wine produced at the heart of the Rioja Alevesa...Read More...
Conde Valdemar Rioja Crianza 2019
From £16.50
Crianza style Rioja made with a unique blend of Tempranillo and Graciano from Rioja Alta and Rioja Alevesa...Read More...
Conde Valdemar Rioja Blanco Finca Alto Cantabria 2021
From £28.00
Award-winning Viura fermented in new, French oak barrels & limited in production...Read More...
Bodegas Zugober Belezos Rioja Gran Reserva 2014
From £32.00
An exquisite Rioja Gran Reserva made from 50 year old vines...Read More...
Finca Allende Rioja Tinto 2015
From £26.00
A Rioja of power, great balance, elegance and the structure for ageing...Read More...
Bodegas Palacios Remondo La Montesa Rioja Crianza 2021
From £22.00
An incredibly well-balanced wine with velvety red fruits and sweet spice...Read More...
Bodegas Palacios Remondo Plácet Valtomelloso 2022
From £31.00
An elegant and lightly oaked white Rioja, fermented and aged in large old foudres...Read More...
Bodegas Ondarre Rioja Reserva 2019
From £14.50
Tremendous value, award-winning Rioja Reserva blending Tempranillo, Mazuelo & Garnacha grapes...Read More...
Belezos 50/50 Rioja 2023
From £12.75
A bright and fruity young Rioja from the family owned Bodegas ZugoberRead More...
Viña Alberdi Rioja Reserva 2020
From £21.00
Viña Alberdi stands out for its food pairing versatility...Read More...
Bodegas Zugober Belezos Rioja Reserva 2018
From £20.00
An award-winning, opulent style of Reserva from the Rioja Alavesa regionRead More...
Bodegas Zugober Belezos Rioja Crianza 2021
From £15.50
Classic Rioja from the quality focussed, family-owned, Bodegas ZugoberRead More...
Bodegas Zugober Belezos Rioja Blanco 2022
From £15.00
A gorgeous barrel-fermented White Rioja from Bodegas ZugoberRead More...