La Rioja

RIOJA, THE PRESTIGE OF A NAME WITH A THOUSAND YEARS OF HISTORY

Traditionally a synonym of excellence, Rioja wines have become highly renowned amongst consumers and the reference for quality Spanish viticulture, with both its classic styles, whose unique ageing qualities are admired throughout the world, as well as the new generation of creative wines.

Rioja has remained at the forefront of winemaking innovation with a wide range of wines with distinct features that have consolidated their market success and become the elite of European historical denominations of origin. The “Rioja” brand is today one of the five most renowned wine-growing regions in the world.

THE FIRST DENOMINATION OF ORIGIN

Rioja wines are guaranteed by the oldest Denomination of Origin in Spain. At the end of the 19th century, modern Rioja wines gained their own identity as a product linked to its origins and winemakers and producers realised the need to protect it from “piracy and copying”, a concern that resulted in official recognition on 6 June 1925 with La Rioja Denomination of Origin.

Since 1991, Rioja wines have been guaranteed by the first Official D.O. in Spain. Regulations define the area of production, the varieties of grape that can be grown, maximum output, preparation and ageing techniques, etc. The Control Board is the public body in charge of ensuring and monitoring the quality of its wines, promoting the brand image and protecting the interests of the industry, whose representatives comprise the members of the Board.

Today, Rioja is one of the global Denominations of Origin that offers the highest guarantees of wine quality and authenticity. It is also one of the very few that requires bottling on-site for all the production. The efficient implementation by the Control Board of much stricter self-regulating rules, compared to other areas, is undoubtedly one of the reasons why it has been able to earn the trust of its consumers and the reason why Rioja wines are considered as market leaders.