Rioja

Spain's most internationally recognised wine region, Rioja spans three sub-zones across northern Spain — Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental (formerly Baja) — each with distinct soils and climate influence. Tempranillo dominates the blend, joined by Garnacha, Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano for reds; Viura is the workhorse white. The defining identity is the ageing classification: Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva, traditionally aged in American oak for vanilla and sweet-spice notes, though French oak and unoaked, terroir-driven styles are increasingly common. Rioja covers an extraordinary stylistic range, from approachable everyday reds to bottles that age fifty years.