1980 – Classification by Aging & Vintage Control
When the 1980s arrived, even more care went into the quality of Rioja wines.
To make consumer trust even stronger, Rioja producers decided to introduce additional quality assurances, which included certifying vintage and aging classifications.
Upon the moment that Rioja’s 1980 harvest kicked off, Rioja wines had since been officially put into aging-based categories: Joven, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. At this time, vintage control had also become mandatory on labels.
In accordance with the rules of Decree 2004/79, the Rioja Regulatory Council was reformed again in May of 1982, aligning with the new, more democratic principles proclaimed by the Constitution. This ushered in a new era, one defined by the progressive implementation of a well-structured plan to strengthen qualitative and quantitative controls.
These qualitative and quantitative controls went into both production and marketing, getting applied to vineyard and winery records, cultivation practices, maximum production yields, the classification of new wines, and more.
The Regulatory Council would soon then gradually increase its budget, infrastructure, and staff per the demands posed by the strict adherence to its objectives. These objectives included defending the Denomination, controlling and promoting quality, and promoting Rioja’s overall brand. All of this was financed by winemakers and growers, who, through their respective representations, helped establish a self-regulating framework that is, generally speaking, stricter than the EU’s own legislation.
Regulatory Council Requirements
- Only authorized varieties can be used for wine production.
- Grapes must come from the entire Rioja region.
- Production, aging, and bottling must take place in Rioja.
