Rioja wines are produced from the famous wine-making region in Spain called Rioja and are popular for their great quality, history, and taste. This paper aims to systematically provide a historical description of the Rioja wines and give characteristics of Rioja wines and types of Rioja wines.
The History of Rioja Wines
Rioja, Spain, in the northeastern part of Europe, is one of the oldest wine producing regions with over 1000 years traditions. Another significant impact of Roman civilization was the wines because they found the climate suitable to practice viticulture. There are three main periods in Rioja wines; in the 18th before the new techniques were introduced from Bordeaux Frank in the 19th century. A combination of knowledge and practice assisted wines from Rioja to get entry into the international markets.
The origin was recognized in 1925 as the first Denominación de Origen (DO) in Spain and later in 1991 as Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa), which shows the region’s concern to meet the highest level of quality.
The Terroir of Rioja
The climate and soil of Rioja are highly diverse, which makes the wines produced in this region rather special. The region is divided into three sub-regions, each contributing unique characteristics to the wines:
Rioja Alta: It is characterized by the cooler climate and higher altitude and the wines from this region are elegant with good acidity and premium aging.
Rioja Alavesa: It contains chalky soils and moderate climate thus providing wines that are balanced on the acidity and fruity notes.
Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja): Because of the warmer and drier conditions in this region it yields wines with greater body and higher alcohol levels.
Varieties of Rioja Wines
The real wines of Rioja are mostly produced from such a mixture of grapes, whereby the most popular is Tempranillo grape. Other significant types of grapes are garnacha, also known as Grenache, Mazuelo or Carignan, and graciano. When blended with other grapes, that together with the terroir of the region we get a numerous number of wines.
1. Red Rioja Wines:
Crianza: These wines have to be aged for at least two years with one of the year’s spending in oak barrels. Its wines are famous for its middle palette with fruit and oak, and easy to drink and pleasant to savor.
Reserva: Reserva wines must be aged for at least three years, 1 year of which are in oak casks and has developed a fuller body with complex fruit flavors and perfect tannin harmony.
Gran Reserva: These marvelous wines are matured for not less than five years with two years in the oak. They increase their aging abilities, hence are associated with complex and more defined flavors of fruits, spices, and leather.
2. White Rioja Wines:
The dry, White Rioja wines, are mostly Viura (or Macabeo) and taste very fresh with a good grapefruity acidity. While there are some Rioja whites that spend time in oak barrels which puts them additional characters which deepens their profiles.
3. Rosé Rioja Wines:
Rosado cultured rosé wines of Rioja are produced primarily from red Grenacha grapes. They are youthful, pure and alive on the palate with intense red fruit and rather crisp fares.
Match-making of Rioja Wines with Foods
Rioja wines are very versatile, and accompany food remarkably well. Here are some pairing suggestions:
Red Rioja Wines: It goes with grilled meat, stews, aged cheeses and roasted vegetables. Crianza wines are more common and can be consumed during barbecue night, Reserva and Gran Reserva wines are for more significant occasions and heavy food.
White Rioja Wines: This is best served with fish, chicken, salad, and any dish with creamy sauce such as pasta. It can also be enjoyed together with risotto and soft cheeses with white Riojas that has been oak-aged.
Rosé Rioja Wines: Ideal for, cheese boards, light meals, fish and seafood, salad dishes Mediterranean dishes. Given its high level of brightness and fruitiness, it will be perfect with foods that are popular during the summer periods and especially when taken outdoors.
Spanish wine in particular gives a comprehensive sampling of the winemaking century in Spain, offered by Rioja wines. On shinning dark counters, a beautiful Gran Reserva, a juicy Crianza or a glass of fresh white Rioja, one is reminded of the land and centuries of dedication that have gone into each bottle. Discovering Rioja wines is to get involved with the feelings and history that transforms them into some of the most renowned wines in the world.
