Spain is the third largest wine producing country in the world after Italy and France. Tempranillo-based red wines from Rioja are the most famous and respected. The grape has been grown for over 2000 years in the northeast central region of Spain. Completely landlocked, surrounded by mountains to the north and south and fed by the Ebro River, the region has a mild continental climate, a wide variety of soil types, and an elevation ranging from 900 to 1800 feet above sea level. Rioja’s terroir is ideal for growing high-quality grapes. Tempranillo is the main variety, but blended varieties such as Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo are also popular. This combination produces a wine with fresh aromas, deep color, balanced acidity and tannins.
Rioja wines are medium to full-bodied with layers of red and black fruit, earthy dried tobacco, leather, toasted spices, and vanilla. The two-year-old Crianza Rioja (one of which is barrel-aged) pairs beautifully with pizza, burgers, and seafood paella. In contrast, the powerful Gran Reserva wine is aged for five years, two of which are in barrels, and pairs perfectly with hearty stews and slow-cooked meats such as braised beef short ribs.
Due to the quality and diversity of the region, Rioja wines are designated as Denominación de Origen Calificada (Denomination of Origin), or DOCa, which represents the highest quality classification for Spanish wines. Rioja is home to more than 500 of his wineries, including top producers such as CVNE, Muga, Beronia, Valdemar, and Marques de Murrieta, and some of his wines sell for prices around $20 per bottle. There are also things.