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Region · Spain

Rioja

75 bottles · ฿590–฿2,800

For more than a century Rioja has been considered Spain's preeminent wine region.

Its vineyards run for 75 miles (120 kilometres) along both banks of the Ebro River and cover more than 157,000 acres (63,500 hectares) in the remote interior of northern Spain, with craggy mountains standing in desolation behind them.

Several small mountain ranges and the outlying ridges of the Cantabrian Mountains isolate the region from the moderating Atlantic and shield it from the harshest northern winds, so although Rioja lies only 60 miles from the Bay of Biscay it does NOT have a maritime climate.

White and rosé are made here, but the region's fabled reputation rests almost exclusively on reds based primarily on tempranillo — an early-ripening variety whose name comes from temprano ('early'), traditionally blended with garnacha (French grenache), mazuelo (carignan) and graciano, though a growing number of Riojas are now entirely tempranillo.

Rioja is often called Spain's Bordeaux, and the French ties are multiple: the region's signature long aging in oak barrels was inspired by Bordelais practice, adopted by Manuel Quintano in 1780 and taken up by the Marqués de Murrieta and Marqués de Riscal by the 1850s — who then imported American oak trees and coopered the barrels themselves.

When oidium and phylloxera devastated French vineyards in the 1850s-60s, French négociants came to Rioja to buy, some stayed to found bodegas, and the vineyard area grew by 40,000 acres within a generation.

Rioja wines are classified by an aging hierarchy — crianza, reserva and gran reserva — and depending on style tempranillo here is either powerfully structured, dark and earthy with leather and a certain peatiness (modern), or elegant and very earthy, closer to pinot noir than to cabernet (traditional).

Rioja is among the world's most beautifully earthy wines, and its long-aged gran reservas remain among the best deals in the world.

Key grapes

Grenache
Tempranillo

ClassificationSpain DOCa

A few to explore

Subregions

Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Alta

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Rioja is represented at WNLQ9 by 75 bottles from Spain. The selection spans Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano. Prices range from ฿590 to ฿14,100. Critic-acclaimed bottles include Marques De Riscal Reserva, DOC Rioja (93 pts, James Suckling).

Frequently Asked Questions

What Rioja wines and spirits does WNLQ9 carry?

WNLQ9 stocks 75 bottles from Rioja, Spain, including Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano. Prices range from ฿590 to ฿14,100. Browse the collection: https://wnlq9.shop/explore-map/rioja

What are the top-rated Rioja bottles at WNLQ9?

Critic-acclaimed Rioja bottles at WNLQ9 include: La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 (Wooden Case) (99 pts, James Suckling); Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial (98 pts, James Suckling); Bodegas LAN A Mano Rioja Edicion Limitada (96 pts, Wine Spectator).

How do I order Rioja wine from WNLQ9 in Thailand?

WNLQ9 is a Bangkok-based retailer. Contact the team via LINE or WhatsApp to place an order: https://wnlq9.shop/contact