SPAIN'S FINEST WINE REGION

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With more than 600 wineries, 14,800 winegrowers, and centuries of history, Rioja is Spain’s leading wine region. Located in North Central Spain, the Rioja wine region is known around the world for high-quality age-worthy wines with a traditional sensibility.

While Rioja’s reputation has been built upon unforgettable, oak-aged Tempranillo blends; the region’s diverse terroirs, grape varieties, and winemaking practices also create a broad spectrum of easy-to-drink red, white, and rosé wines that consumers can turn to for excellent value—with each bottle marked with the distinctive Rioja “trust” seal that guarantees authenticity.

1

DOCa

3

SUB-REGIONS

650+

BODEGAS

14800+

GROWERS

GENERICO

This category guarantees the origin and vintage of wines in their first or second year, which keep their primary freshness and fruit. Generico wines may also see some oak treatment outside of the regimen necessary for classic aged wines (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva)

CRIANZA

Crianzas are wines that are at least in their third year, having spent a minimum of one year in oak barrels. For white wines, the minimum barrel aging period is 6 months.

RESERVA

These are meticulously selected wines with minimum aging between oak barrels and the bottle of three years, of which at least one has to be in barrels, followed and complemented by a minimum of 6 months aging in the bottle. For white wines, the minimum aging period is 2 years, with at least 6 months in barrels.

GRAN RESERVA

These are wines of great vintages that have been painstakingly aged for a total of sixty months with at least two years in oak barrels and two years in the bottle. For white wines, the minimum aging period is 4 years, with at least 6 months in barrels.

NEW! Rioja Virtual Road Trip

BECOME A RIOJA EXPERT

 A weeklong virtual excursion through Spain’s finest wine region

 Stops in Rioja, Haro, Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental

 Videos from some of the best producers in Rioja

 Quizzes to test your Rioja knowledge

RESOURCES

BECOME A RIOJA EXPERT

  • Free online courses for enthusiasts and professionals in the wine and travel industries
  • Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Rioja
  • Learn about the land and terroir
  • Explore the grape varieties and historic winemaking methods
  • Earn certificates and diplomas for taking the courses