There has never been a better time to be a fan of Rioja wines. Whether
they're modern, fruit-forward reds produced from a single vineyard or
traditional Gran Reservas, mellow and regal after years in American oak,
the wines of Rioja offer elegance at surprisingly affordable prices.
Tempranillo Rules Most Riojas are a blend of several grapes, but
the single most important is Tempranillo. An early-ripening variety,
Tempranillo is often grown alongside blending partners Garnacha
(Grenache), Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, which is prized for its
aromatics.
Geography Lesson Although there is a trend toward
single-vineyard wines, most Riojas utilize grapes from three subdistricts:
Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. Rioja Alta, at the high, western
end of the Rioja valley, produces wines renowned for their elegance and
structure; Alavesa, located north of the Ebro river, is known for
producing deeper-colored, more powerful wines; Baja, at the valley's
southern end, offers wines that generally have a higher proportion of
Garnacha for body and richness.
Acting Their Age Most Riojas are defined by the way they are
aged. Wines labeled Crianza must be aged at least two years, one of them
in barrel. Reserva wines must be aged for a minimum of three years, one of
them in barrel. Gran Reserva wines must be aged at least five years, with
two of them spent in barrel.