However, for Rioja wines to be designated with a DOCa labeling, certain rules and regulations must be followed, including grape variety requirements. Most winemakers in Rioja use some form of wood (new and/or used) during their fermentation and aging, though steel-vinified expressions can be found. Wines from Rioja are vinified in a variety of styles, and their final flavors depend on where the fruit was grown, the exact blend and how the wine was vinified. In the past, Rioja wines were generally produced from a blend of fruit from these regions, though an emphasis on single-vineyard and single-region bottlings is on the rise. The region is divided into three subzones: Rioja alavesa, Rioja alta and Rioja oriental (baja). Rioja is located west of Navarra and south of the Basque region in northern Spain. White varieties grown in Rioja include garnacha blanca, malvasía and viura (macabeo). The main red grape varieties cultivated in Rioja are tempranillo, garnacha, mazuelo (cariñena) and graciano. Rioja is a designated DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada), which is the highest category of Spanish wine classification. Although red, white and rosé wines are made here, the region is best known for its full-bodied red wines. The name Rioja refers to the region in northern Spain where these wines are produced. Best of all, in addition to tasting great, these bottles generally cost significantly less than their international counterparts-a win all around. Produced mainly from tempranillo, these dark-hued wines are rich, robust and undeniably satisfying when sipped alongside equally hearty cuisines. Can’t get enough Northern Rhône syrah or Napa Valley cabernet in your life? The red wines of Rioja are definitely for you.
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