Rioja

Vino Rioja

"El rioja es un tipo de vino, con Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa), que se elabora en la Comunidad Autónoma de La Rioja y en ciertas zonas de Navarra y Álava. Por la diversidad orográfica y climática se distinguen tres subzonas de producción —Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja y Rioja Alavesa— donde se originan vinos de distintas características. La producción media anual de vino de Rioja es de 250 millones de litros (85% vino tinto y 15% vino blanco y rosado). Los vinos de Rioja son frescos, aromáticos, de composición equilibrada y excelente buqué."

Vi Rioja

"El rioja és un tipus de vi, amb Denominació d'Origen Qualificada (DOCa), que s'elabora en la Comunitat Autònoma de La Rioja i en certes zones de Navarra i Àlaba. Per la diversitat orogràfica i climàtica es distingeixen tres subzonas de producció —Rioja Alta, Rioja Baixa i Rioja Alabesa— on s'originen vins de distintes característiques. La producció mitja anual de vi de Rioja és de 250 milions de litres (85% vi negre i 15% vi blanc i rosat). Els vins de Rioja són frescos, armàtic, de composició equilibrada i excel·lent buqué."

Rioja Wine

"Rioja is a wine from a region named after the Rio Oja in Spain, a tributary of the Ebro. It is made from grapes grown in the provinces of La Rioja, Southern Álava or Navarre. La Rioja is further subdivided into three zones (in rising order of warmth) Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Baja. Rioja Alta is the highest of these zones and is said to produce the best wine. Many wines have traditionally blended fruit from all three regions though there is a slow growth in single zone wines.

The wine is a blend of various grape varieties, and can be either red, white or rosado (rosé). In red wines, the best-known variety used is Tempranillo. Other grapes used include Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, and Mazuelo. One wine maker, Marques de Riscal is permitted to grow and use Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot by special dispensation. Other wineries also have experimental plantings of these varietals.

Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca and Viura (known alternately as Macabeo) are used in the production of Rioja Blanco (white Rioja).

Rioja red wines are classified into four categories. The first, simply labeled "Rioja," is the youngest, spending less than a year in an oak aging barrel. A "crianza" is wine aged for at least two years, at least one of which was in oak. "Rioja Reserva" is aged for at least three years, of which at least one year is in oak.

Finally, "Rioja Gran Reserva" wines have been aged at least two years in oak and three years in bottle. Reserva and Gran Reserva wines are not necessarily produced each year. Also produced are wines in a semi-crianza style, those that have had a couple of months oak influence but not enough to be called a full crianza. According to the official classification, recent excellent vintages were 1982, 1994, 1995, 2001 and 2004. "

from WIKIPEDIA