Rioja, the best known of the Spanish wine regions, carefully preserves its wine styles but there are also some modern trends which are really interesting and exciting to try.
Rioja is actually made up of three mini-regions: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta & Rioja Baja. Each producing Rioja with their own individual regional characteristics.
A note on ageing of red Rioja wines:
Rioja Joven (young): Either no oak at all or very short oak ageing.
Rioja Crianza:At least 12 months in oak (& a bit of bottle ageing to).
Rioja Reserva: At least 12 months in oak & 12 months in bottle.
Gran Reserva: At least 24 months in oak & 36 months in bottle.
We have quite a big list of Rioja, why not call us for a reccomendation on a bottle or two or to put you a mixed Rioja case together!