Grapes of the Rioja Region

The Tempranillo variety of grape, is one of the most exquisite for making fine quality wine.  It is considered to be an indigenous species of vine of the Rioja region, and its Spanish origin is internationally recognised.  It produces a must which is balanced in sugar, colour and acidity. It has a honest  taste to the palate, interesting in the young wine and velvety when aged.  According to some studies it can be stated with confidence that the varieties cencibel in La Mancha, Tinto Fino de Madrid in Ribera del Duero,  can be regarded as synonymous.

The Mazuelo variety of grape is known as Carignan Noir in France, and it is also known in other places as Cariñena, Catalan, Uva di spagna etc. This grape variety gives the must a lot of colour and acidity, these are wines rich in tannins and rough on the palate, therefore it is best used in a coupage.

The Graciano variety of grape, it is regarded as indigenous and its Spanish origin is internationally accepted. Out of all of the authorised red varieties it occupies the least surface area of vines in the Rioja.  It produces a bright red coloured must, with significant acidity and a pleasant and characteristic bouquet.

The Viura variety of grape, it is the main white grape variety grown in Rioja.  Its Spanish origin if recognized.  It produces a small number of clusters but they are big in size, they are more productive than the red varieties.  It produces a pleasant acidic must with a characteristic flavour.  Its wine is considered to be well suited for ageing in the barrel.

The Malvasia de Rioja variety, has its origins in Asia Minor but it was introduced to Europe early on.  There are many Malvasias in the world, but these are not regarded a synonymies of Malvasia de Rioja.  It gives an interesting must with a certain viscosity and a special bouquet

The Garnacha Tinta variety of grape, its Spanish origins are internationally recognised.  Among red wines it is the most extensively grown variety in the world. The product obtained depends a lot  on the enviromental conditions (heat summation) and the way it is cultivated (production) in cool areas it produces a very interesting balanced wine. In warm areas produces a wine with a high alcohol level and low acidity but in cool areas it produces a very interesting balanced wine.

Garnacha Blanca variety, its Spanish origin is accepted and may be the result of a mutation of the Garnacha Tinta.  It gives an alcoholic must and if  grown in cool areas,  proves pleasant and with enough acidity.