📍 Rioja

Rioja is Spain's best-known wine region, in the Ebro valley in the north of the country. Since 1991 Rioja has held the top DOCa category (Denominación de Origen Calificada), the first such status in Spain. The zone has three subregions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja).

Reds are made mainly from Tempranillo, with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo added. Whites include Viura (Macabeo), Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía, and also Maturana Blanca and Tempranillo Blanco. The typical style involves ageing in oak barrels, which gives aromas of vanilla, coconut and dried fruit.

The label shows the ageing time. Crianza: at least two years from harvest, one of them in barrel. Reserva: at least three years, with at least a year in barrel. Gran Reserva: at least two years in barrel and at least three years in bottle. Alavesa in the north gives lighter, more acidic wines, Alta elegant ones, and Oriental is warm and rich.

Rioja also makes white, rosé and sparkling wines. Neighbouring Navarra and Aragon resemble Rioja in grapes but have their own traditions. For dinner, young red Rioja suits lighter dishes better, and Reserva suits roast meat and hard cheeses.