| |
|
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.
The 50,000 hectares of vines which currently make up the region of the
Denominación de Origen Calificada "Rioja" are spread over the
Autonomous Regions, or Communities, of La Rioja, the Basque Country and
Navarra. Their average annual yield is 190 million litres, 75% of which
is red wine, with the rest whites or rosés.
Rioja is characterised by being an appellation in which the
different types of wines are achieved through a careful process of grape
selection in the various subzones.
|
|
|
SUBZONES |
CLIMATIC INFLUENCE |
APPROXIMATE AREA |
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WINES |
|
RIOJA ALTA |
Atlantic |
20.500 Ha. of vines |
 | Medium strenght
| Full-bodied and high total acidity
| Suitable for aging in casks |
| |
|
|
RIOJA ALAVESA |
Atlantic and Mediterranean |
11.500 Ha. of vines |
| Red wines of medium strength and total acidity
| Ready for drinking (young wines obtained via carbonic maceration)
and also for aging in casks |
|
|
|
RIOJA BAJA |
Mediterranean |
18.000 Ha. of vines |
| Reds and Roses with higher alcohol content and extract |
|
|
|
Although covering a small area,
the natural region of Rioja possesses different types of soil and
climatic conditions. This aids the development of the vines, giving
distinctive characteristics which are ingrained in the special nature of
our wines.
As the land of Rioja slopes down from west to east, so the climate
becomes increasingly drier and hotter due to the Mediterranean
influence. |
There are THREE KINDS OF SOIL suitable for the
cultivation of vines in Rioja:
| |
Zonas que abarcan |
Extensión respecto al total |
Características del terreno |
Características de los vinos |
|
CLAY-LIMESTONE |
Rioja Alavesa, la Sonsierra and Rioja Alta Lands |
25% |
Terraced slopes,
small plots |
| Rich in glycerine extracts; good colour
| Basis of red riojas
| Whites with character
| Light in colour |
| | |
|
| FERROUS-CLAY |
Land spread allover the of D.O |
25% |
Sloping
Reddish brown and hard with deep hard rock |
| Light reds with medium body
| Roses |
|
|
| ALLUVIAL |
Land spread all over the area of D.O. near rivers |
50% |
Flat with fair depth of soil and large stones
Large plots |
Whites and reds with medium body |
|
This variety of land types
does not imply any difference in respect of the quality of the wines
produced, since Rioja wine is produced from carefully selected grapes
from the various zones.
The peculiarities of soil and climate lead to the classification of the
wine-producing area into three subzones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja and
Rioja Alavesa. |
|
    
[ Grape Varieties ] [ Harvest ] [ Characteristics ] [ Classifications ]
This Website has been built &
designed by Glenn, who would be delighted to look at private commissions.
|
