Rioja

The wine producing region of Rioja is situated in the Ebro valley. Its northern border is determined by the Sierra de Cantabria mountain range, and in the south by Sierra de la Demanda, and the resulting conditions create a very privileged environment for vineyards. Eighty-five percent of the wine produced is red with the rest whites or rosés. The diversity in soil and climate has led to the classification of this wine region into three sub-areas: Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa

Rioja Grape Varieries
Tempranillo: Its wines offer an honest flavor, appealing and fresh in young wines and understated and velvety in aged wines. It is regarded as the most favored variety and for quite some years it has occupied the largest proportion of vineyards in the D.O. Tempranillo ripens well early and has only low to medium levels of alcohol, an advantage under the hot Spanish sun. Look for flavors and aromas of dried cherries, spices, black currants and a wide range of earthy components such as tobacco and black olives
Red Garnacha: A strong grape variety for red wine, that well supports extreme heat. The wines of the Garnacha are characterised by a very fruity, almost sweet taste. You will detect blackberry and some pepper. In the vast wine surface of Spain, the garnacha is the most planted red wine variety.
Mazuelo: Its French origin is internationally accepted under the name of Carignan Noir. Tannic and acidic the Mazuelo is most often used in Spain as a blending grape
Graciano: Bright red colored must, with considerable acidity and a pleasant, characteristic bouquet. It is the most aromatic of all our varieties.
Viura: The synonym used in the Spanish DO of Rioja for Macabeo, which is the most popular grape of northen Spain. Both still and sparkling wines from the Macabeo are dry, medium in acidity, and have notes of delicate wildflowers and bitter almonds. Macabeo is best consumed young..
Malvasía: This grape comes originally from Asia Minor but it was introduced into Europe early on. It gives an interesting must, with a certain oiliness and a distinctive aroma.
White Granache: It is a hardy variety with very similar characteristics to the Red Garnacha. It gives an alcoholic must and, if grown in cool areas, proves quite pleasant with enough acidity.
Heredad de Ugarte

Riolanc

Sonsierra Blanco


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