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Rioja was the first Spanish wine region to obtain DO status in 1925. In 1991, it was promoted to DOCa (Qualified Designation of Origin), a higher category reserved for wines maintaining a proven consistency and quality over a long period of time.
Rioja DOCa is known primarily for its reds though it also makes some whites and rosés. Most bodegas still use their own formulas for blending red wines with at least three grapes, the most important of which is Tempranillo, the noblest of the native Spanish vines. This grape gives the wines their elegance, concentration of aromas and complexity of flavours. It is this, as well as oak ageing, which gives the wines such personality and individuality.
At the same time Rioja wines have evolved steadily. Today they offer a broad range of styles . Wines include varietals; blended wines which are shifting the emphasis from oak to fruit; organic wines; and, at the top end of the market, the Reservas and Gran Reservas.
The changes in winemaking implemented in the past decade have produced excellent results . New generations of growers and makers have placed their faith in the renovation of facilities, with new barrels and steel vats, as well as an emphasis on careful selection at harvest and later ageing of the harvested fruit.
The desire of producers in the Rioja to reaffirm their aspiration for excellence has contributed to their the consolidation of an image of prestige among consumers and has made them a reference for Spanish wines worldwide. The development of productive and commercial structures in the Rioja and the prestige attained by their wines has also positioned the area among the elite in historical European denominations of origin. Rioja is now one of the five best-known and most prestigious wine-producing regions of the world .
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Fact file
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CRDO address:
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Estambrera, 52
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26006 Logroño
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La Rioja
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Spain
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DO established
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06 June 1925
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Last updated
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-
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Telephone
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+34-941-500-400
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Fax
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+34-941-500-664
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E-mail
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info@riojawine.com
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Website
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www.riojawine.com
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Vineyards:
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Subzones
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Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja
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Area under vine
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62,583 ha
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Area in full production
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92%
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Altitude of vineyards
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350-650 m
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Soil types
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Rioja Alavesa: calcareous clay; Rioja Alta: calcareous clay, some ferruginous clay and alluvial soils; Rioja Baja: ferruginous clay and alluvial soils.
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Principal grapes (w)
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Viura, Malvasía Riojana, Garnacha Blanca
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Principal grapes (r)
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Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha, Mazuela
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Permitted grapes (w)
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-
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Permitted grapes (r)
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-
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Experimental grapes (w)
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Maturana, Tempranillo Blanco
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Experimental grapes (r)
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Maturana Tinta, Monastel de Rioja
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Organic viticulture
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195 ha
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Climate:
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Max. summer temp.
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40°C
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Min. winter temp.
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-4°C
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Average rainfall
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450 mm annually
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Average sunshine
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2,800 hours annually
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Production:
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Maximum crop
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9,000 kg/ha white; 6,500 kg/ha red
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Yield
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72%
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Equivalent hl/ha
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62 hl/ha white; 47 hl/ha red
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Production 2003 (hl)
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2,984,187.68
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Production 2004 (hl)
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2,696,950.02
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Production 2005 (hl)
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2,734,389.00
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Wine alcohol content:
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White
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Min 10.5% abv
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Pink
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Min 10.5% abv
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Red
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Min 11.5% abv
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Other
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-
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Ageing in oak:
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Crianza
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12 months oak, 12 months bottle released 01-Oct vintage +2
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Reserva
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12 months oak, 12 months bottle released 01-Dec vintage +3
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Gran Reserva
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24 months oak, 36 months bottle released 01-Dec vintage +5
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Wineries:
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Total
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1,212
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Total exports - 2005
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71,232,113 l.
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Total exports - 2006
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-
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Total exports - 2007
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81,707,400 l.
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