ABOUT RIOJA
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
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.
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
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