Rioja

One of the most famous wine regions in the world, and arguably the UK's favourite. The region has produced wines that have a venerable history, stellar ageing ability and a surprising capacity for innovation .

The main grapes here are Tempranillo, Garnacha (Grenache), Mazuelo and Graciano for the reds and  Viura, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasia and Tempranillo Blanco for the Whites.

Rioja’s traditional classification has 4 categories each denoting mandatory ageing requirements

• Cosecha – a pale green logo on the back label – denotes a younger wine that may have no time at all in oak or more likeley  just a few months in barrel meaning it won’t qualify as a Crianza
• Crianza – a bright red logo on the back label -denotes a wine which must be aged for a minimum of 12 months in oak and a further 12 months in bottle before release  
• Reserva – a burgundy coloured logo on the back label  -denotes a wine which must have a minimum of 3 years ageing of which I year minimum must be in oak before release
• Gran Reserva – Usually only made in great vintages and with the best grapes  -this has a navy blue logo on the back label denoting minimum ageing of 5 years of which 2 years minimum must be in oak .

In practice many of the best traditional producers regularly exceed these minimums.

Read what our Rioja Expert has to say here