The Rioja, located in northern Spain, is possibly Spain’s best-known region and primarily for its red wines made from the tempranillo grape. Rioja’s vineyards are divided into three sub-regions—Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental—each offering distinct terroirs and microclimates. Wines are ofen classified according to its aging tradition as Crianza, Reserva, or Gran Reserva, based on the length of barrel and bottle aging. These wines are appreciated for their balance, structure, and aging potential, displaying flavors of ripe red fruit, oak, and spice.
