Rioja leads the domestic market

As high alcohol, fruit-driven wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon seem to increasingly dominate the wine world, the Spanish market remains an exception. The domestic market is dominated by wines from the DOC Rioja, which is oldest established wine producing region of Spain.

In a study conducted by AC Nielsen of 2004 wines sales in Spain, 40% of all Denominacion de Origen wines sold were wines from Rioja. In the hotel, restaurant and catering sector, the Rioja share was an amazing 70%, testament to a well established image of quality in the minds of consumers.

Traditionally, Rioja wines are produced from Tempranillo, Granacha and Mazuelo blends and are aged for longer periods in the winery than in other parts of Spain. In fact, the crianza category, which denotes the shortest amount of aging at 2 years combined aging in barrel and bottle, in most regions requires 6 months of barrel aging, whereas for crianzas from Rioja, the barrel aging requirement is 1 year. This longer aging time results in softer, subtler wines; a definite change of pace from current fashion.

Wineries of Haro
One of the most important wine producing towns in Rioja is Haro, located in the Rioja Alta (upper Rioja) district. It has a population of 9,200 people and 20 wineries, some of which are the oldest producing wineries in Spain: López de Heredia-Viña Tondonia, founded in 1877, CVNE, founded in 1879 and Bodegas Bilbainas founded in 1859.

These wineries specialize in the classic Rioja style: lighter, refined wines that don't attempt to overwhelm the palate with loads of fruit and alcohol.