Rioja

The DOCa Rioja is 100 km long running in a north-west to south-east direction along the path of the River Ebro and reaches approximately 40 km wide in places.

To the north is the Sierra de Cantabria, protecting Rioja from the worst of the Atlantic weather, and to the south, the Sierra de la Demanda sheltering the vineyards from weather from the warmer centre of the country.

The valley of the Ebro, as it flows towards the Mediterranean broadly from the higher north-west to the lower south-east of the region, is relatively open and hence, while Rioja is far from the coast, its eastern side gains some Mediterranean influence. Although the River Ebro is the largest river in the region, it has several tributaries, their valleys providing vineyard sites with varying aspects and soils.

Vintage variation can be marked, as, in any year, parts of Rioja may receive more or less influence from the Atlantic (cooler, wetter) and the Mediterranean (warmer, drier). However, it is difficult to generalise any vintage characteristics over such a large and varied region. Some producers aim to produce consistent products (blending is an important part of attaining such consistency), whereas other producers look to make wines that represent the vintage.

More notably Rioja is divided into 3 zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Oriental.