One of the
smallest wine regions within Spain, Rioja has a big reputation
for its rich, oakey wines that are as varied as the grapes grown
in the area.
These include
Tempranillo, the premier varietal, along with Graciano, and Viura
( the basis of white Rioja).
In fact, it was a local priest
who learned winemaking in France in the late 18th century who
then adapted his knowledge to the Rioja region which since has
steadily grown in popularity.
Today, a trip
to La Rioja would not be complete without a tour of some of its most
famous wine cellars including Marques
de Murrieta and Marques
de Riscal.
If touring the area in summer, also be sure not to miss the annual Rioja wine fight which dates back to a centuries-old land dispute. Today, hundreds of giddy locals and a few lucky tourists gather to reenact the La Batalla del Vino (the Battle of Wine) every June 29 in Haro.
More information about Rioja wines & wineries around the Web:
Rioja
Wine
- Browse for some interesting history, information on grape varieties and vineyard
stats, along with the latest updates and reports, tasting manual,
vintage rating charts, and related resources
Rioja (wine) - Wikipedia overview with a history of the wine region including information on geography, grape varieties, the winemaking process with photos, related references and resources.
The
Wine Region of Rioja, Spain - Ilustrated narrative explaining
the aging process, wine types, regional boundaries and grape varieties,
plus surf around the right-hand menu for related tourist info.