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SPAIN'S FINEST WINE REGION

ABOUT RIOJA

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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.

NEW! Rioja Virtual Road Trip

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

WINE STYLES

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.

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WEBINARS

RIOJA: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW

Presenter: Matthew Kaner

Recorded on March 30, 2021

One foot in the Old World, one foot in the new millennium – this is Rioja, Spain’s most important wine region. Join us as we explore the iconic blends, new approved grape varieties, recent vintages and growing in a changing climate. Matthew Kaner, Los Angeles-based wine entrepreneur, has been traveling to Rioja for a decade and brings his passion for the region and its wines to this must-view event.  Watch the webinar here.

RIOJA: HISTORIC SUPERB QUALITY

Presenter: Dr. Liz Thach, MW

Recorded on June 22, 2021

Rioja DOCa is among the world’s top 5 classic wine regions; people have known the style and ageability of these Tempranillo-based blends since the mid-1800’s. This webinar explores how Rioja’s iconic style came to be, and how the Bodegas of the region have adapted to the contemporary wine world while maintaining quality and iconic status. Watch the webinar here.

RIOJA: TEMPRANILLO AND BEYOND

Presenter: Kryss Speegle

Recorded on August 30, 2021

Rioja is traditionally known for its classic blends aged in American oak. This webinar deconstructs the blend to explore Rioja’s emerging single variety wines. Learn about the grape character of these wines through a wine kit, with a guided tasting and lecture led by Kryss Speegle, MW.

We discussed the new trend and new allowances of grape provenance vs wine style. Watch the webinar here.

RIOJA: SAVORING RIOJA

Presenters: Peter Marks, MW and Monika Vescovi, dipWSET

Recorded on Dec 13, 2021

Rioja is known for age-worthy red wines. Did you know that Rioja is also known for its cheeses, peppers and mushrooms, jamon and tender grilled lamb chops?

Join Napa Valley Wine Academy’s instructors Peter Marks and Monika Bielka-Vescovi as they share their recent experiences in the region traveling to small boutique bodegas (wineries) and participating in tapas crawls in old town Logroño in the heart of this famous wine region. Watch the webinar here.

RESOURCES

rioja map with 3 sub regions
rioja resources

BECOME A RIOJA EXPERT

Rioja Wine Academy
  • 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
Napa Valley Wine Academy

IN-PERSON COURSE & WORKSHOP REFUNDS & TRANSFERS

Cancellations of confirmed in-person course enrollments and workshops are accepted up to 60 days before the start of the course. An administration fee of $50 plus the full cost of the study materials and exam fees will be deducted, and the remainder of the course fee refunded to the payee. Separate WSET exam cancellation/transfer rules apply.
Transfers of a confirmed enrollment to another course are accepted 60 days before the course start date with an administration fee of $50.

Cancellations less than 60 days before the in-person course start date or course no shows forfeit any refund/transfer options unless students can provide medical documentation. If medical documentation is provided, students can be transferred to a later course. No refunds will be applied.

Course Transfers cannot be carried forward to the next academic year (which commenced on January 1).

Students are highly encouraged to purchase separate travel insurance.

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Flamingo Hotel Las Vegas

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

February 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

3555 Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

 

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Mariott Santa Ynez

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

April 23, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

555 McMurray Road

Buelton, CA 93427

 

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Art Hotel Denver

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

March 5, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Mountain)

at

1201 Broadway

Denver, CO 80203

 

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Aloft Nashville

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

February 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Central)

at 

1719 West End Ave.

Nashville, TN 37203

 

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Epicurean Hotel

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

March 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Eastern)

at

1207 S Howard Ave,

Tampa, FL 33606

 

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Street View of HQ

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

January 22, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

2501 Oak Street

Napa, CA 94559

 

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