Drink Rioja in La Rioja

The greatest wines in the world may be found in Spain. And if there is one region in Spain that is recognized on a global scale for the quality of its wineries, it is La Rioja.

Along the Ebro River is where the Rioja wine region can be found; this location is exceptional for its capacity to create top-notch wines. Here, wines were so highly regarded and in such high demand in the late nineteenth century that it was decided they ought to be safeguarded. As a result, in 1925 the first Designation of Origin was established to safeguard Rioja, including all three of its "zones" (including Alta, Alavesa, and Oriental), against the danger of fake wines being made.

In Rioja, aging is divided into four categories: Generic, Crianza, Reserva, and Grand Reserve. Generic wines are frequently consumed fresh and young with a very little aging, which makes them considerably lighter and fruitier. When they desire some latitude with the aging requirements, winemakers can also designate a wine as Generic. Thus, the wine typically represents relatively contemporary interpretations of Rioja. Crianza is a term used to describe wines that have matured for at least two years, at least one of those years being spent in wood for red wines or at least six months for white and rose.

Reserva is a little more stringent. This red wine must mature for a minimum of 36 months, 12 of which must be in wood, while white and rosé wines must age for 24 months, at least six of which must be in oak. The longest aging period is Gran Reserva, which requires a minimum of 24 months in wood, followed by 36 months in bottles for red wines or 48 months for whites and rosés, with a minimum of 6 months in barrel. The area places a great deal of importance on these aging requirements, which are fairly difficult but ultimately what give some of these wines their extraordinary quality.

To conclude, drinking Rioja in La Rioja is the best thing to do in Spain because:

• Rioja wines are known as the best wines in the world.
• It is divided into four categories: Generic, Crianza, Reserva, and Grand Reserve with different aging levels.
• In 1925, the First Origin designation was established to protect Rioja against the threat of counterfeiting this wine.