Wine from Rioja

Rioja is a wine region located in Spain. There are three principal wine regions in Rioja, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, and Rioja Baja, each producing unique wines. The majority of the territory is a protected designation. Rioja is located just south of the Cantabrian Mountains and runs along the Ebro River. Rioja is home to the Oja River and is situated on a plateau that sits 1,500 feet above sea level.

The soil in Roja is clay based and has a high concentration of iron and chalk with a significant concentration of sandstone, limestone, and alluvial silt.

Wines produced in Rioja are a blend of a variety of grapes and can be either be white, red or rosé. The region has 57,000 hectares that produce 250 million liters of wine every year. 85% of that is red wine. The harvest time in Rioja is September to October with Rioja Alta harvesting the latest in late October.

Rioja enjoys a continental climate with cold winters, and warm summers. The higher elevations have a cooler climate. The mountains isolate the region, which has a moderate effect on the climate. Although gusty winds are common in northern Spain, the vineyards are protected by the same mountain range.