Rioja Alta
Rioja
The traditional heart of Rioja, west of Logroño on the Ebro's south bank and stretching up into the Sierra de la Demanda. Higher and cooler than the rest of the DOCa, with chalky, iron-rich clay over limestone. Classic, structured Tempranillo blended in the old way with a little Graciano and Mazuelo, raised for years in American oak. The town of Haro and its Barrio de la Estación, with seven historic bodegas next to one another by the railway, is the postcard image of traditional Rioja — La Rioja Alta, López de Heredia (Viña Tondonia), CVNE, Muga, Bodegas Bilbaínas (Viña Pomal), Roda and La Rioja Alta. Around them a newer generation (Contino, Artadi's Rioja Alta cellars) works at the single-vineyard scale.
The wines of Rioja Alta are made primarily from Grenache, Rioja Blend, Tempranillo.
Vineyard Map
Climate
Continental at the core with strong Atlantic influence funnelling down the Ebro valley. Cool nights, fresh acidity and a long ripening curve favour structure and age-worthiness over power.
Terroir
Chalky and iron-rich clay over limestone bedrock with alluvial terraces along the Ebro. The highest, coolest sites of the DOCa climb into the foothills of the Sierra de la Demanda.
What it tastes like
Body
Full
Acidity
Bright
Tannin
Firm
Oak
Oaky
Ripeness
Ripe
Concentration
Concentrated
Reds
Full-bodied and bright with firm tannin and plenty of oak; red cherry, vanilla and dill over cedar and leather, polished and built to age.
red fruit · spicy · savoury · nutty · polished
Body
Lightish
Acidity
Fresh
Oak
No oak
Ripeness
Rich
Concentration
Medium
Whites
On the lighter side and fresh, with rich fruit; orchard fruit, a savoury side and a nutty note, with a taut finish.
apple and pear · savoury · nutty · floral · stony
Similar styles
Lands in the same glass.
Like the reds
Grapes of Rioja
Frequently Asked Questions
What grapes grow in Rioja Alta?▼
What soils are found in Rioja Alta?▼
Map data: MAPA (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación) · Municipio boundaries © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Imagery: Sentinel-2 cloudless by EOX IT Services GmbH (CC BY 4.0)