Rioja DOCa
Rioja DOCa is Spain's first Denominación de Origen Calificada (Qualified Designation of Origin), located in northern Spain along the Ebro River valley, and is divided into three subzones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja). The region enjoys a continental climate with Mediterranean influences, where the Ebro River and surrounding mountains create a diverse terroir with clay-limestone, clay-ferrous, and alluvial soils. While Tempranillo dominates as the flagship red grape, complemented by Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo, the region also produces whites from Viura (Macabeo), Malvasia, and increasingly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, with traditional aging classifications (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva) defining its distinctive oak-aged red wine styles.
Wines from Rioja DOCa
Marques De Riscal Rioja Reserva
Marques de Riscal has been producing exceptional Rioja since 1858 – they're practically part of the furniture in Spanish wine history. Their Reserva represents the classic style that put Rioja on the map, with traditional winemaking methods and extended aging creating a wine of remarkable complexity and finesse. This bottle strikes that perfect balance between fruit and savory development that makes aged Rioja so compelling. After spending about two years in American oak barrels and additional time in bottle before release, it arrives ready to impress but will continue to evolve gracefully. The winery's iconic gold wire netting (originally designed to prevent counterfeiting) makes it instantly recognizable, but it's what's inside that keeps wine lovers coming back decade after decade. It's like the comfortable leather jacket of the wine world – timeless, reliable, and always in style.
LAN - Rioja Reserva
LAN Rioja Reserva is an elegant Spanish red wine aged for at least three years with a minimum of one year in oak barrels. This wine showcases the classic character of Rioja with balanced structure, refined tannins, and a harmonious integration of fruit and oak.