Rioja centennial celebration

Tribute to a legacy, vision for the future

Last February, VertdeVin Magazine travelled to Spain for a very special occasion: celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin (DOCa). We met in Logroño, and for several days, the beauty of Rioja wines unfolded before us! Here’s everything you’ve always wanted to know about Rioja but were afraid to ask…

First, a little bit of history. La Rioja was Spain’s first Designation of Origin (DOC) and was established in 1925. A few years later, in 1980, La Rioja implemented control and the categorisation of ageing and vintage like crianza, reserva and gran reserva. In 1991, La Rioja underwent a transformation, becoming the first Qualified Designation of Origin (DOCa). New geographical indications and quality were introduced in 2017 for sparkling wines.

Then, in terms of numbers, Rioja is the leading Spanish designation of origin. The wine region encompasses 586 wineries (bodegas) and 13,078 growers across a precise 66,639 hectares! Rioja is divided into three sub-regions: Rioja Alavesa in the north, nestled between Rioja Alta to the west and Rioja Oriental to the east. Each region, of course, has its own specific characteristics in terms of soil, altitude, and climate.

Rioja produces a magnificent diversity of wines: vibrant, contemporary, and fresh reds; textured whites; complex rosés; and sparkling wines that reflect the region’s pioneering spirit. 14 grape varieties are allowed in Rioja and 91% percent of them are red, with Tempranillo (87.7%) leading the way, followed by Garnacha Tinta (7.3%) and Graciano (2.5%). The remaining 9% are white, with Viura (66%) being the most prevalent, followed by Tempranillo Blanco (12.9%) and Verdejo (5%).

Rioja is very popular in Spain: of the 328 million bottles sold annually, 3 out of 10 are purchased domestically. But it is also well-known abroad as 41% of the volume is exported to 136 countries. Rioja attracts many visitors: 921,438 visits are recorded each year, and 36% of these visitors are international.

Many international journalists were there to celebrate this very special anniversary. We enjoyed a magnificent program that allowed us to discover the future of Rioja while highlighting its roots. We also had the privilege of attending an extraordinary Gala Dinner at the Museo Vivanco, where the beauty of blending, ageing, and winemaking were showcased by renowned chefs. ”The land of a thousand wines” and its local cuisine are an invitation to travel. Ikaro, Ajonegro, Nublo, Venta Moncalvillo, and El Portal de Echaurren honoured us with their presence and perfectly illustrated Rioja’s philosophy: a tribute to a legacy, a vision for the future.

Discover in our issue (n°31) the wines from two exceptional tastings: ”Tasting 100km of diversity, the excellence of the DOCa Rioja today” and ”Historical tasting of the 100 years of DOCa Rioja”. You’ll be amazed!

Thank you very much for the invitation.