Rioja's Vineyards...

Rioja Alavesa

Basque with Altitude: Rioja Alavesa is located in the Basque country, in the most northerly part of Rioja, tucked right under the foothills of the Cantabrian mountains - home to some of Riojas highest altitude vineyards.

The soil is typically chalk-rich clay and the slightly cooler, wetter climate encourages growers to plant early-ripening grapes like Tempranillo to make young wines for early drinking.

The Basques like Tempranillo and they like it fresh. In the bars and cafés of the old fortified hill towns they'll be drinking this year's vintage - even before Christmas.

Tip: Behave like a local and explore the Alavesa town of Laguardia to sample young Rioja Tempranillo from the town's very own bodegas.

Rioja Alta

Finesse from The Highlands: Rioja Alta is the “highlands” of Rioja itself with villages such as San Vicente de la Sonsierra or the region's central town of Haro located at 528 m and 479 m altitude respectively.

The climate of Rioja Alta is slightly more continental - hotter summers and longer autumns. It also benefits from cooling influences from the Atlantic allowing the grapes to develop perfectly.

Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo grapes flourish and provide the raw material for some of Rioja's premium wines.

Tip: Don't forget to take a jumper when visiting the vineyards of Rioja Alta. Temperatures change quickly at high altitude!

Rioja Baja

Garnachas Eastern Kingdom: Rioja Baja is the eastern part of Rioja and crosses into the adjacent region of Navarra.

Here the land is lower than the other two areas in Rioja: varying from about 380m in the west to 301m in the town of Alfaro to the east. The climate of Rioja Baja is hotter and drier and the soils more sandy and alluvial.

Here the Garnacha grape is king bringing softness and fleshiness to Rioja blends.

People in Rioja Baja traditionally like their Rioja to have a spicy, peppery heat and a soft plump ripeness.

Tip: Although Garnacha is mainly used in Rioja blends, varietal Garnacha wines are starting to appear. Try a spicy Rioja Garnacha with barbecued or grilled red meats. Salud!