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VinePair Highlights Rioja’s Best Red Wines
Rioja is one of Spain’s most celebrated wine regions, renowned for its rich history, innovative winemaking, and exceptional red wines.
This month, VinePair featured Rioja to highlight eight outstanding red wines that showcase the region’s unique character.
A Connection to Bordeaux
Rioja is often compared to Bordeaux, and for good reason. Known for its elegant, medium-bodied red wines, Rioja’s winemaking has been influenced by Bordeaux since the late 18th century, especially with the introduction of barrel aging—a technique that has become a hallmark of Rioja wines.
During the mid-1800s, when Bordeaux was hit by the phylloxera crisis, many French winemakers turned to Rioja, bringing their expertise and further shaping the region’s winemaking style. This collaboration laid the foundation for some of Rioja’s most iconic wineries, like Marqués de Riscal and R. López de Heredia, which continue to uphold traditional winemaking practices today.
Understanding Rioja’s Subregions
Rioja is divided into three subregions, each offering unique characteristics:
- Rioja Alta: Located in the western part of the region, this area has higher elevations and cooler climates, resulting in wines with bright acidity and structure.
- Rioja Alavesa: Centrally positioned, this subregion provides a balanced climate, producing wines that combine fruitiness with a touch of minerality.
- Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja): The warmest subregion, Rioja Oriental is known for producing ripe, full-bodied wines with rich flavors.
The variety of soils in Rioja, from limestone and clay to alluvial deposits, adds to the complexity and distinctiveness of its wines.
Rioja’s Wine Classification System
Rioja wines are classified based on their aging process, which adds layers of flavor and complexity. Here are the four main categories:
- Cosecha: Young wines with no specific aging requirements.
- Crianza: Aged for at least two years, with at least one year in oak barrels.
- Reserva: Aged for a minimum of three years, with at least one year in oak barrels.
- Gran Reserva: Aged for a minimum of five years, with at least two years in oak barrels and three years in the bottle.
This system helps winemakers highlight different expressions of Rioja, from fresh and fruity to deep and mature.
Top Rioja Red Wines to Try
Here’s a list of eight fantastic Rioja red wines, each offering a taste of the region’s diverse winemaking styles:
- Muriel Rioja Crianza 2019: This Crianza from Rioja Alavesa offers flavors of plum and dark berries with hints of cinnamon and cocoa.
- Ramón Bilbao Rioja ‘Edición Limitada’ 2019: A 100% Tempranillo with vibrant acidity and flavors of black plum and blackberry, showcasing modern Rioja’s freshness.
- Familia Torres Altos Ibéricos Rioja Crianza 2019: A value-driven Crianza with red fruit and dark cherry flavors, complemented by notes of vanilla and leather.
- R. López de Heredia Rioja Viña Cubillo Crianza 2016: A blend from a historic vineyard, offering complex aromas of cedar, earth, and fruit with a soft tannic structure.
- La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Rioja Reserva 2019: A Reserva with subtle flavors of blueberry, vanilla, and herbal notes, highlighting the elegance of Rioja Alta.
- Compañón Arrieta Rioja ‘Herrigoia’ 2022: An unoaked, carbonic maceration wine from old vines, offering a fresh, berry-driven profile—a modern take from Rioja Alavesa.
- Bodegas Ollauri Conde de los Andes Rioja 2016: A fruit-forward wine with red plum and cherry flavors, aged in French oak for 14 months.
- Montecillo Rioja Gran Reserva 2015: A Gran Reserva with blueberry and redcurrant aromas, balanced acidity, and fine tannins, reminiscent of Bordeaux.
These wines capture the essence of Rioja’s quality and diversity, making them perfect for anyone looking to explore the region’s rich winemaking heritage.
Find a bottle of Rioja near you using our Wine Locator Tool.
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