Rioja

La Rioja is a Denominación de Origen (DO, or designation of origin) wine region in northern Spain. The most famous wine region in Spain, and rightly so, La Rioja is located south of the Cantabrian Mountains along the River Ebro, and is split into three regions—Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. For red wines, think Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo, from easy drinking Joven and Crianza styles through to deep, complex Reserva and Gran Reserva examples. For white wines, the principal varieties are Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca. The region also grows international varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo. With its degraded sandstone and limestone soils, the image of stark vineyards dotted with gnarled bush-vines, warms the heart of the wine-lover—as do the wines in the glass.

• Key Varieties: Garnacha, Garnacha Blanca, Graciano, Malvasia, Mazuelo Viura, and Tempranillo.
• Climate: Three main zones, ranging from cool, moist weather, to temperate Continental, and Mediterranean.
• Soil: Sandstone and limestone soils.
• Did You Know: Every year, in late-June, the town of Haro in Rioja hosts the La Batalla de Vino de Haro, a ‘wine battle’ that puts most water fights to shame.