RIOJA and NAVARRA - Demystifying "The Vine"

🇪🇸SPAIN–Rioja & Navarra

RIOJA IS– DO.- 2 DOCa.- 1 VP.-3 @Haro

BLANCO= Viura 6% AKA=Macabeo, Calagrano, Garnacha Blanca, Jean Blanco, Malvasia de Rioja, Maturana Blanca AKA=Albilo Mayor, Moscatel de Alejandria, Palomino, Rojal, Tempranillo Blanco, Torrontes, Turruntes de Rioja, Verdejo
- –International– Chardonnay, Guwurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanco
TINTO= Tempranillo 75%, Garnacha 7%, Graciano 2%, Mazuelo 3% AKA=Carignan, Maturana Tina AKA=Maturano
- –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

GEOGRAPHY– Spain(North-Central), REGION-Rioja, PROVINCES-Logrono, Haro

BORDERS-Navarra“Region”(North-East), “Ebro River Valley”, LATITUDE: 42.3° ‘N‘
PROVINCES-Alava, Navarra, La Rioja
Sub-Zones/ DO.’s– Navarra DO., Rioja DO.

TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous/ Terraced/ Valley(Ebro)”

SLOPES/ Pyrenees Mountains(North), Sierra de Cantabria Mountains(North-West)
- Sierra de la Demanda/ Sierra de Cameros(South-West), +Alt. 360mt.- 700mt.
ON PLATEAU/ ?
- On~Alhama/ Cidacos/ Iregua/ Leza/ Najerilla/ Oja~Rivers~Tributaries~Ebro~River~

SOILS– “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Alluvial, Iron Rich Clay, Limestone, Sandstone, Silt

CLIMATE– “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence,

+WIND/~Ciezo~(From North-East, Ebro River Valley)
Influenced by the Convergence of 2 Climates, the Cooler- Wet “Atlantic-Maritime” and the Hotter-Dryer “Mediterranean”.

VITICULTURE– 66,000 ha. Planted, (Blanco 10%/ Tinto 90%)

Vino de Municipio- Village Wine
Vinos de Z0na- Produced From One of 3 Zone That Make Up Rioja Region.
Vinedos Singulares– Rioja’s Single Vineyard Designation.
- Purpose– To Control and Protect Wine That Are Made With Grapes Cultivated in a Demarcated Area, Whose Characteristics Are Deemed Worthy of Protection. Defining Vineyards and Permitting the Mention of Their Names On Label.
- As of 2020 There Are 103 Sites With 22 More Under Consideration.
- Criteria-
  - Vines +35 Years Old
  - Justify the Natural Delimitation of the Vineyards.
  - Hand Harvest
  - Ensure Yields Are 20% Less Than DOCa. Levels.
  - Wine Must Be Vinified and Aged Separately Have.
  - Full Traceability Full Ownership
  - Winery Must Be In the Same Village as the Vineyard.(15% Grace)
Vina Ardanza Seleccion Especial- Special Selection For Vintages That Are Deemed Super Great.
- There Has Been 4 Such Vintages In the Past 75 Years…1964, 1973, 2001, 2010.
Chozos- Huts That Where Used by Vineyard Workers.
Parceled Into Numerous Small Vineyard Plots Farmed by Thousands of Growers, Many Co-Operative.

VINICULTURE– Traditionally +AGED/ American Oak, Presently Both American & French Oak

RIOJA BLEND– Tempranillo(+60%), Garnacha(-20%), Graciano, Mazuelo
RIOJA AGING REQUIREMENTS
- Rioja- +AGED/ Max 1 Year, No Barrel/ Used Barrels
- Crianza- +AGED/ Min. 2 Years/ 1 Year In Barrel…Use Barrels 2/ 3 Years
- Reserva- +AGED/ Min. 3 Years/ 2 Years In Barrel
- Gran Reserva- +AGED/ Min. 5 Years/ +2 Years In Barrel/ +2 Years In Bottle.
  - Usually Produced From Best the Vineyards.
OAK USAGE-
- Historically In the 1800’s American Oak Was More Available and Affordable Than French Oak. The Distinctive Character of American Oak Helped Shape the Historical Style of Spanish Tempranillo. Today the Philosophy of Weather to Used American or French Oak is Left Up to the Winemaker and the Style They Want to Produce.
RIOJA BLANCO BLEND– Viura, Malvasia, Garnacha Blanc
- –International– Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc (Can’t Exceed +49% of Blend)
RIOJA BLANCO BLEND AGING REQUIREMENTS- Traditionally American Oak is Used.
- Crianza- +AGED/ Min. 6 Months In Barrel
- Reserva- +AGED/ Min. 2 Years, Min. 6 Months In Barrel
- Gran Reserva- +AGED/ Min.. 4 Years, Min. 1 Year In Barrel
SANGRIA– White/ Red Versions -Wine, Sparkling Water, Brandy, Citrus Slices
CAVA– SPARKLING…Method/ Traditional- 4 Cava Districts
- Cava is Produced In +150 Villages In Spain, Including Regions of Valencia, La Rioja, Extramadura, But the Cultural and Spiritual Home of Cava is Catalunya.
FLOR– Like “Sherry” In Andalusia, There’s Producers Biologically Aging Rioja Wines.
CLARETE- Traditional Light/ Fresh Wine.
- +BLEND/+25% Red Grapes Fermented With Wine Grapes. Often Field Blends Picked Early to Retain Acidity.
- Pale to Darker Depending On Maceration Time. Sometimes Aged On Lees In Barrels.

HISTORY

1880 @Rioja/ Spain– “Railroad to Bordeaux”
- With Phylloxera Ravaging France, Bordeaux Turned to the Wines From Rioja to Satisfy Their Thirst, and In Turn Had an Effect On the Wines Being Produced There During the Late 1800’s and Early 1900’s.
1890 @Rioja/ Spain– “Phylloxera Free”, Other Countries Came to Rioja.
- Brought Wine-Makers and Merchant From Bordeaux to Find Wine For Sale and Consumption. (Hot Climate and Altitude Discouraged the Aphid From Infesting Parts of Northern Spain.)
1925 @Rioja– DOCa. Officially Established.
1926 @Rioja– “Wine Law”, DO. Officially Established.
1950 @Rioja– “Modernization” of Rioja Takes Place.
- Murrieta & Riscal Brought Bordeaux Varietals and Viticulture Practices to Rioja and Began the Modern Wine Industry.
- Rioja Benefited From the Phylloxera Epidemic In France/ Bordeaux. Wine Makers and Wine Culture From France Came Down to Rioja to Produce Wine, Wine Was Sent by Train to Bordeaux to Quench the Thirst of the Bordelaise.

CULTURE

Wire Netting Around Bottle- Added as Protection Seal to Stop Unscrupulous People From Changing the Content to a Wine of Inferior Quality and Reselling, Today It’s Used For Eutectic Reason and the Maintain a Cultural Link to Past.
Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage Route– 800km. Walking Route Through the Northern Reaches of the Iberian Peninsula Ending at the Tumb of St. James In Galicia.
ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Consejo Regulador de la Denominacion de Origen Rioja~
“Monks & Monasteries” ~Yuso~ Benedictine Monks, 1100’s.
~International Tempranillo Day~ (November 12th., 2nd. Thursday)

GOING THERE

FESTIVALS~
- ~Haro Wine Festival/ Batalla del Vino/ Wine Battle~ (June/ Haro)
- ~Festival of San Mateo~ (September/ Logrono), Wine Harvest Festival
GASTRONOMY… Baby Lamb(25 Day Old), Olive Oil
- CHEESE… Camerano(Goat/ Fresh)
WINNER “Worlds Best”~ “Rioja”
- DtheV.com Awards- “Top Iberian Peninsula Wine Region” (5th. Place)
- **Refer to “WINE CULTURE/ Derek’s Top 6 List” For Detailed Information.

**Refer to “SPAIN/ Home” For Detailed Information On Spain as a Country.

**Rioja & Navarra Images Courtesy of Delong Maps, Purchase Maps at Delongwine.com

RIOJA

Denominación de Origen Calificada DOCa. (1 of 2 DOCa/ Also Priorat)
Estate/ Producer-(Not Found In Demarcated Sub-Zone)– Alvia, Amezola de la Mora, Baron de Ley, Carlos Serres, Corral, Ijalba, Lar de Paula, Martinez Lacuesta, Miguel Merino, Montecillo, Nivarius, Paco Garcia, Palacio, Riojanes, Sierra Cantabria(*1870), San Esteban(Co.-Op.,*1953/350 Members), Valdemar, Vinicola Real

RIOJA ALTA @Haro

GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Rioja(North-West)
- VILLAGES– Briones, Cenicero, Fuenmayor, Haro, Logrona, Najera, San Asensio, San Vicente de Sonsierra
- Sub-Zones- Cenicero, Huérfanos, Oriental
TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Valley(Iregua, Najerilla, Oja)”
- SLOPES/ Cameros Mountains/ Sierra de la Demanda, +Alt. 360mt.- 650mt.
- On~Iregua/ Najerilla/ Oja~Tributaries~Ebro~Rivers~
SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Chalk, Clay, Alluvial, Yelsones(Blocks of Calcium Carbonate)
CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence, Cooler, Wetter
VITICULTURE- ? ha. Planted
VINICULTURE- +Quality
- Estate/ Producer- Berta Valgonon Garcia, Bhilar, Bilbainas, Consego de la Alto, Cuentavinas, CVNE., Finca Allenda, Hacienda, Iraun, Juan Carlos Sancha, Lopez de Heredia, Marques de Murrieta, Marques de Vargas(60ha.), Miguel Martinez Diez, Montecillo, Muga, Olarra, Ollauri, Oxer Bastegiet, Perica(56ha.), La Perla, Planas Altas, Proelio, Ramon Bilbao, La Rioja Alta, Roda(70ha.), Romeral, Sonsierra(Co.-Op), Taron(Co.-Op./701ha.), Wine Love(Nat.Pro.),Vina Ardanza, Vinedos Sierra Cantabria
- Vineyards- Brinas, Castillo de Cuzcurrita, Eguren, Marques Caceres, Vinedos de Altura
CULTURE- La Rioja Alta Has a In-House Coooperage Which They Import Oak From USA. & France.
SUB-ZONES Of RIOJA ALTO
- OJA VALLEY @Haro
  - Geography- Rioja, In Rioja Alta, @Hw.#A-12/ N-120
    - VILLAGES– Ezcaray, Haro
  - Topography- “Rolling/ Hilly”
    - SLOPES/ San Lorenzo Mountains, Sierra de la Demanda
    - On~Oja~River~Tributary~Ebro~River~
- NAJERILLA VALLEY @Najerilla
  - Geography- Rioja, In Rioja Alta, @Hw.#A-12/ N-120
    - VILLAGES– Alesanco, Canas, Najerilla, San Millan de la Cogolla, Tricio
  - Topography- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”, +Alt. 609 mt.
    - SLOPES/ Cameros Mountains/ Sierra de la Demanda
    - On~Najerilla~River~
- IREGUA VALLEY @Lagrono
  - Geography- Rioja, In Rioja Alta
  - Topography- “Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Iregua~River~

RIOJA ALAVESA @Laguardia

GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Rioja(North-Central)
- CITIES– Elciego, Labastida, Laguardia, Viana
TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Verga Mountains, +Alt. 400mt.-600mt.
- On~Leza~Tributary~Ebro~Rio~(North), “Non-Contiguous”
SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Chalk, Iron Rich Clay
CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence
- Cooler, Wetter Than Alta & Baja Rioja
VITICULTURE- ? ha. Planted
VINICULTURE- +Quality, *Small Growers
- Estate/ Producer- Altanza(160ha.), Artuke, Baron de Ley(600ha.), Berzal, Conde del Los Andes, Contino, CVNE, Eguren Ugarte(129ha.), Faustino(650ha.), Javier San Pedro Ortega, Larraz, Luis Canas, De la Marquesa, Marques de Riscal(540ha.), Muriel, Olabarri, Palacio, Remelluri, Remirez de Ganuza(80ha.), Telmo Rodriguez, Tobelos, Torre de Ona, Torres, Vina del Lentisco, Vinedos de Paganos, Ygay, Ysios
- Vineyards- Corrales, Labastida, El Nogal(1.3ha.), Torre de Ona
CULTURE-
- GEOGRAPHIC/ CULTURAL DISCLAIMER~ “Some Consider Rioja Alavesa Part of Basque County and Not Rioja. In Regards to Its Wine Culture it Has More In Common With Rioja, With Altitude and Climate It’s More Similar to Basque Country.”
SUB-ZONES Of RIOJA ALAVESA
- LEZA VALLEY @Agoncillo
  - Geography- Rioja, In Rioja Alavesa, @Hw.#AP-68/ E-804
  - Topography- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ ?
    - On~Leza~River~Tributary~Ebro~River~
- JUBERA VALLEY @Vantas Blancas
  - Geography- Rioja, In Rioja Alta
    - VILLAGES-El Redal, Santa Engracia del Jubera, Ventas Blancas
  - Topography- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ ?
    - On~Jubera~River~Tributary~Leza~River~Tributary~Ebro~River~

RIOJA ORIENTAL @Calahorra

BLANCO= Tempranillo Blanc0, Viura AKA=Macabeo, Verdejo
TINTO= Tempranillo 72%, Garnacha 13%, Graciano 4%, Mazuelo 3% AKA=Carignan
GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Rioja(South-East), Largest Area Rioja Sub-Zone
- (Laps)Navarra(North-East)
- VILLAGES-Alfaro, Calahorra, Mendavia, Quel, Viana, Villamediana de Iregua, Tudelilla
TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/Valley(Ebro)”
- SLOPES/ Verga Mountains, +Alt.300mt.-380mt.
- On~Cidacos/ Alhama~Rivers~Tributary~Ebro~Rio~
- VALLEYS– Juber Valley, Cidacos Valley, Alhama Valley
SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”
CLIMATE- “Continental”, Hotter, Dryer Than Alta & Alavesa Rioja
VITICULTURE- 23,000 ha. Planted
VINICULTURE- -Quality. +Abv. -Acid
- Estate/ Producer- Aldonia(16ha.), Alfaro, Altos de Montote, Burgo Virgo, El Coto, Cvno, Domecq Domain, Faustino, Finca Montote, Ijalba, Isidro Milagro, Javier Arizcuren, Manzanos, Marques Caceres, Mateos, Murua, Navarrsotillo, Ondarre, Ontanon, Palacios Remondo, Queiron, Real Rubio, Rodiles, San Miguel(Co.-Op.), Vina Ilusion(Nat.Pro.), Vina Lanciano
- Vineyards- El Arca, La Pasada, Il Pison
CULTURE- AKA=Rioja Baja
SUB-ZONES Of RIOJA ORIENTAL
- CIDACOS VALLEY @Calahorra
  - Geography- Rioja, In Rioja Baja, @Hw.#AP-68
    - VILLAGES-Arnedo, Autol, Calahorra, Pradejon, El Redal, Tudelilla, Quel, Villar de Arnedo
  - Topography- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Verga Mountains
    - On~Cidacos~River~Tributary~Ebro~River~
- ALHAMA VALLEY @Alfaro
  - Geography- Rioja, In Rioja Baja
  - Topography- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Verga Mountains
    - On~Alhama~River~Tributary~Ebro~River~

Vino de la Tierra’s of La Rioja

VITICULTURE- Wines Produced In “RIOJA” Non-Conforming to a DO.

VALLES De SADACIA VT. @

GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Rioja

NAVARRA

NAVARRA DO. @Pamplona

BLANCO= Viura 2% AKA=Macabeo, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasia(Alarije), Malvaisa(Riojana)
- –International– Chardonnay 5%, Moscatel Grano Menudo AKA=Muscat Blanc a Petit Grain, Sauvignon Blanc
TINTO= Tempranillo 33%, Garnacha 24%, Graciano 2%, Mazuelo
- –International– Cabernet Sauvignon 15%, Merlot 14%, Pinot Noir, Syrah 1%
GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Navarra, South of Pamplona-City( ha.)
- BORDERS-Pais Vasco“Region”(North-West), Rioja“Region”(South-West), France(North-East), Aragon(South-East)
- “Multi-Appellation(5)”, VILLAGES-Abiltas, Fitero
- Sub-Zones- Montana(Mountains), Zona Media(Central Zone), Ribera(Riverbank)
- Sub-DO.’s- Baja Montana, Ribera Alta, Ribera Baja, Tierra Estella, Valdizarbe
TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley”, BASIN/ Ebro River(Pamplona)
- SLOPES/ Pyrenees Mountains(Sierra de Andia/ Sierra del Perdon), +Alt. 300mt.-650mt.
  - Cordillera Canabrica(Montes Vascos)
- On~Aragon/Arga/Ega~Rivers~Tributary~Ebro~River~
SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Alluvial, Grey Marls of Marine Eocene Period.
- Mixure of Soils Depends On Elevation and Substrata Composition.
CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence
- North– Sub-Humid Zone | South– High-Dry Zone
- +WIND/~Ciezo~(Originate…North-East, Ebro River Valley)
VITICULTURE- 11,000ha. Planted, (10% White/ 90% Red)
VINICULTURE- Rosado
- Estate/ Producers-(Not Located In Demarcated Sub-Zone.)– Azul Y Garanza, Camilo Castilla, Castillo Monjardin, Cune, Chivite, Irache, Lupier, Magana, Marco Real, Mas de Berceo, Maximo Abete, Ochoa, Otazu, Piedemonte, San Martin, Zorzal
CULTURE- 1933- DO. Officially Established.
- FESTIVALS~ ~San Fermin~(July/ Pamplona)
  - Week of Events to Honor the Co-Patron Saint of Navarre
TIERRA ESTELLS @Estella
- WHITE= Viura
  - –International– Chardonnay
- RED= Tempranillo 50%
  - –International– Cabernet Sauvignon 20%
- GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Navarra(West)
  - VILLAGES-Aberin, Los Arcos, Ayegui, Dicastillo, Estella
- TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling”, SLOPES/ Sierra de Urbasa
  - On~Ega~River~Tributary~Ebro~River~
- SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”
- VITICULTURE- 1,800 ha. Planted
  - Estate/ Producer- Pago de Arinzano, Pago de Irache
RIBERA ALTA @Tafalla
- WHITE= Moscatel de Grano Menudo
  - –International– Chardonnay
- RED= Tempranillo, Graciano
- GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Navarra(South-Interior)
  - VILLAGES-Caparroso, Falces, Funes, Olite, Vilafranca, Tafalla
- TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, On~Arga/ Aragon/ Ega~Rivers~Tributary~Ebro~River~
- SOILS- “Metamorphic“, “Sedimentary”
- VITICULTURE- 4,125 ha. Planted
  - Estate/ Producer-
VALDIZARBE @Puente la Reina
- WHITE= Viura
  - –International– Chardonnay, Malvasia
- RED= Garnacha, Tempranillo
  - International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Navarra(North-Interior)
  - VILLAGES-Adios, Anorbe, Artazu, Barasoain, Biurrun, Cirauqui, Exhauri, Eneriz, Garinoanin, Guirguillano, Legarda, Leoz, Maneru, Mendigorria, Muruzabal
- TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling”, On~Agra/ Salado~River~Tributary~Ebro~River~
- SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”
- VITICULTURE- 920ha. Planted
  - Estate/ Producer-
BAJA MONTANA @Sanguesa
- WHITE= ?
- RED= Garnacha 60%, Tempranillo 25%
- GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Navarra(East-Central)
  - BORDERS-Aragon
  - VILLAGES-Aibar, Caseda, Eslava, Ezprogui, Gallipienzo, Javier, Leache, Lerga, Liedena, Lumbier, Sada, Sanguesa, San Martinde Uni,
- TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. 650mt.
  - On~Aragon/ Irati~Rivers~Tributary~Ebro~River~
- SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”
- CLIMATE- Wettest Navarra Sub-Zone
- VITICULTURE- 1,520 ha. Planted
  - Estate/ Producer-
RIBERA BAJA @Tudela
- WHITE= Moscatel, Viura
- RED= Tempranillo 40%, Garnacha 30%
- GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Navarra(South)
  - VILLAGES-Castejan, Tudela
- TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”
  - SLOPES/ Sierra del Moncayo Range, +Alt. 300mt., On~Ebro~River~
- SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”
- VITICULTURE- 3,350 ha. Planted
  - Estate/ Producer-

Vino de la Tierra’s of Navarra.

VITICULTURE- Wines Produced In “NAVARRA” Non-Conforming to a DO.

RIBERA Del QUEILES VT. @

GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Navarra, (Laps)Aragon
- BORDERS-Navarra
TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Queiles~River~
HISTORY-
- Due to the Arid Climate and Unique Soils Navarra Didn’t Succumb Immediately to Phylloxera, This Lead the Bordelaise Coming From South-West France For Wine and Influencing Navarra’s Wine Culture.
CULTURE- 2003- VT. Officially Established
- “Monks & Monasteries” ~Iratxe~

Vino de Pago VP.

**Refer to “SPAIN/ Home Page” For Detailed Information On Vino Pag0.

Pago de Arinzano VP. @Navarra

GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Navarra, MUNICIPALITY-Aberini
- Crossroads of Rioja & Navarra, Along Ancient Wine Road That Streaches Through the Pyrenees and Onto Bordeaux
TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley”, +Alt. 460mt.- 520mt., On~Ega River~
VITICULTURE- 140ha. Planted, Owned by Bodegas Chivite
CULTURE- 2007- VP. Officially Established.

Prado de Irache VP. @Estella

GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Navarra, MUNICIPALITY-Ayegui
TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, +Alt. 495mt.- 550mt.
VITICULTURE- 16ha. Planted
CULTURE- 2009- VP. Officially Established.

Pago de Otazu VP. @Navarra

GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Navarra, MUNICIPALITY-Echauri
- South of Pamplona-City( 8km.)
TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, +Alt. 400mt.- 450mt.
VITICULTURE- 105ha. Planted
CULTURE- 2009- VP. Officially Established.

Pago Bolandin VP. @Abiltas

GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Navarra
TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, +Alt. 395 mt.
VITICULTURE- 134ha. Planted
- Estate/ Producer- Pago de Cirsus

**Refer to “BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources” For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.