RIOJA, A MILLENNIA-OLD LEGACY

Three areas, 100 kilometers of diversity and a thousand wines.

More than 66,000 hectares, its villages and vineyards configure their own personality for Rioja, making it a unique land.

The traditional quest for excellence of Rioja wines has built an image of prestige among the most demanding wine consumers around the world for its classically-styled wines, with their unique suitability for ageing combined with their outstandingly innovative style.

Rioja has managed to remain at the forefront of wine excellence, quality, authenticity and innovation with an ample diversity of wines with a distinct personality.

This diversity is key to Rioja’s success in the international markets, where it stands among the elite of historic European designations of origin.

Among quality wine regions, the Rioja brand is one of the five most widely-recognised at worldwide level.

   RIOJA WINES, EARTH MAGNIFICENCE

Our efforts towards excellence led us to being awarded with the ‘Calificada’ distinction, to be internationally renowned and to become the socio-economic driving force in our magnificent territory.

THE ARCHITECTURE OF WINERIES IN RIOJA

The beautiful Rioja wine region is home to the largest concentration of wineries in Spain, a treasure that goes beyond the exquisiteness of its wines.

From centuries-old buildings that are true cathedrals of wine to avant-garde architectural works that push the limits of creativity, Rioja’s winery architecture tells stories of tradition and innovation.

If the aesthetics of wine is one of the priorities of Rioja’s wineries, the care of the aesthetics of their facilities has not been neglected either, since, in addition to their purely “industrial” function, their function as an element of representation is becoming more and more important every day.

On the other hand, the centuries-old wineries are silent witnesses to the rich history of Rioja. With impressive cellars in ashlar stone. They reflect the historic character of the Denomination and offer visitors a unique experience by immersing them in the winemaking tradition that has endured over the years.

21st CENTURY ARCHITECTURE

While honouring tradition, Rioja is also looking to the future with new winery projects that defy architectural conventions.

Some of these structures bear the signature of renowned international architects such as Calatrava (Ysios), Gehry (Marqués de Riscal), Philippe Mazières (Viña Real) and Zaha Hadid (López de Heredia wine tasting pavilion).

In addition, local architects such as Ignacio Quemada, Jesús Marino Pascual and Iñaki Aspiazu have left their mark with works that fuse modernity with the Riojan identity.

The architecture of the wineries not only fulfills a structural function, but also enriches the wine-making experience.

The fusion of tradition and innovation offers visitors a journey that goes beyond wine tasting, immersing them in an environment that reflects the passion and dedication of those who have made Rioja a world wine reference.

RIOJA KEY FIGURES

   Leader in Spain. Powerful brand in the world.

   Most experienced wineries for business.

   Supreme Authenticity & Quality guaranteed every year.

   Exports= 37% of total. Selling to >124 countries

   40% over total export value of Spanish Quality still Wines (D.O)

   76% market share on aged red wines in Spanish On-Trade

 RIOJA BREAKS ITS OWN RECORDS:

2023 TIM ATKIN SPECIAL REPORT

The eighth edition of 2023 Master of Wine Tim Atkin, ranks the highest number of Riojas with 95 points or more to date, with 124 wines on the list of winners

Tim Atkin, the renowned British Master of Wine, journalist and prescriber, presented in February his «Rioja 2023 Special Report», the eighth annual monograph on the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin, within the framework of the Barcelona Wine Week, one of the trade shows of reference for top quality Spanish wine with an international scope.

Atkin’s publication, which analyzes the quality and characteristics of the best wines in the world, has rated 975 Rioja wines above 90 points (11 more than in the previous report) and up to 124 with 95 points or more (14 more than in 2022).

The report also indicates a relevant number of Rioja wines that reach 97 points (10 in total), 98 points (6) and 99 (2).

«There are very few regions in the world that produce world-class reds and whites, Rioja is one of them, and is making the best reds and whites in its history.»

– Tim Atkin

These evaluations consolidate Rioja as a region of reference at a national and international level for the quality and diversity of its wines.

In fact, for the first time, la Rioja red has been valued with 100 points, the highest classification in Atkin’s reports, an elegant wine that perfectly defines the essence of Rioja.

The report confirms that Rioja is the region with the highest number of wines valued at 90 points or more, and with 95 points or more, and this marks «a record among Rioja’s wines this year,» says Atkin.

 RIOJA, A WORLDWIDE BRAND WITH OVER 10 YEARS OF SUCCESS IN CHINA

Rioja, the most entrenched Denomination of Origin in Spain, created in 1925 and the first to receive Qualified Certification in 1991, is one of the most prestigious and recognized Wine Denominations in the world.

Rioja offers the greatest guarantees regarding the quality and authenticity of its wines, thanks to a large extent to the extremely demanding self-regulations implemented by its Regulatory Council.

Its pioneering character, its dynamism and its commitment to innovation and sustainability have been decisive in reaching the leadership position that Rioja wines occupy today in the world market: Rioja exports more than 40% of its total sales and is present in 130 countries in the world; its share of the total bottled still Spanish wines with Protected Designation of Origin currently stands at 41.5% in value and 34.7% in volume, while these numbers continue to grow year after year around the globe.

With more than 66,000 hectares, the D.O.Ca. Rioja is made up of three sub-zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental, that cover 144 municipalities, with over 600 wineries and more than 14,300 viticulturists.

A unique mosaic of delicious diversity with a great variety of wines for which it is worldwide recognized, always with the guarantee of the highest quality and supreme authenticity.

CHINA, ONE OF RIOJA’S MOST IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

As confirmed by data from the Spanish Wine Market Observatory (OEMV), China is one of the main international markets for Rioja, in which the D.O. maintains fourth position among the European regions with the greatest presence in the Asian Giant, the third in terms of volume,  with over 3 million liters sold in China in 2021.

In 2022, Rioja gained further market share in China, growing its exports to this market by 43.4% in value and 18.7% in volume.

The figures are the best example of the D.O.Ca. Rioja Denomination’s strength in China, and the great potential still ahead.

Thus, and despite the extremely volatile global situation of the last two years, the D.O.Ca. Rioja demonstrated once again its extraordinary resilience thanks to the efforts of the entire sector that integrates it, the flexibility of its communication campaigns and its commitment to digitalization, maximizing the connection with consumers and prescribers.

Interesting promotional activities are continuously being held in China, which are very well received, to continue boosting the prestige of the brand and celebrate over a decade of success in this market.