Spanish Wine Regions

Rioja

Rioja

The Rioja region lies in a 30 kilometre-wide valley between the Sierra Cantabria Mountains in North East Spain. This mountain range runs from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean, and the Sistema Iberico that heads towards the central high plateau of Spain. Although this is still a region with many microclimates, the Sierra Cantabria Mountains to the North and West protect the Rioja region from the Atlantics rain bearing winds. The Rioja Alvesa vineyards are also said to produce quality wines due to the high altitude and slightly moderated heat.

Mostly a limestone based soil; grapes grown in this region are mainly Tempranillo, with Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo and Cabernet. White wine grape varieties are mostly Viura and Malvasia.

In the early 19th century, the Rioja regions wines were very simple and produced for early drinking. In the 1860's, Bordeaux was struck with phylloxera, and the Bordelais wine makers fled across the border. They bought with them not only their expertise, but also their oak wine barrels. This oak barrel legacy is still strong in the Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva Rioja wines.

Rioja winemakers have since realised however, that spending more time in the wooden barrel doesn't always mean that a better wine is produced. They have come to realize that a balance is far more important. Sometimes new barrels are used rather than the well-seasoned ones. Spending less time in the oak casks has also resulted in a rash of 'Super Reserva' wines, some of which can be even better than the older Gran Reservas.

Terra Alta

Also in the North Eastof Spain, the Terra Alta region is a highland region in the south of Catalunya. Another limestone soil region, many vineyards are at a high altitude, which provides and excellent microclimate. The majority of vines are Garnacha Blanco, Macabeo, Garnacha Tinto and Carinena. Although Tempranillo, Merlot, Parellada, Moscatel and Cabernet grape varieties are also grown. This area is next door to the better-known region of Priorat. In the Priorat region wines are incredibly expensive due to the phenomenal concentration and very low yields.

While Italy's wine-making revolution began in the 1970's, Spanish winemaking only really took off in the 1990's. It was important that quality not quantity reigned supreme, and more obscure regions saw both small and large cellars appearing. Co-operatives began investing in modern equipment and the result was wine production at a quality-price ratio that tasted great.

Wine makers in the Terra Alta region began o believe that their wines finally had the same potential as that produced in neighbouring Priorat. Until recently they had little incentive as the majority of the region had been planted with Garnacha Blanco vines, these were quickly snapped up by the Cava-producing giants. Now thanks to some well-made investments, a handful of cellars in Terra Alta are producing some world-class red wines.

by: Harry Linzie

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