rioja

The Rioja region has more than 600 wineries, 14,800 grape growers, exports to 130 different countries, and has the largest number of barrels in the world.

In this region, consequently Spain, they learned to make their wines from neighboring France. It is common to see the same expensive techniques used in Bordeaux being used in Rioja.

La Rioja received Spain’s first designation of origin in 1925, but only in 1991 did the wines receive the D.O.C. designation. The area is divided into 3 regions, Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja, and Rioja Alavesa, with the Rioja Alta being the most interesting area.