Wine
100 Years of Rioja
Celebrating Spain's Most Revered Appellation
March 6, 2025
This year, Rioja will commemorate its 100th anniversary of becoming Spain’s first official DO (Denominación de Origin) region. Since achieving appellation recognition in 1925, Rioja has made immense strides in putting quality Spanish wine on the map, and has remained a nationwide pioneer for advancements and innovation in both the vineyard and the cellar. However, its trailblazing roots run much deeper than just a century—and our experts have all the info. In honor of its centennial, our sommelier team is breaking down everything you need to know about the history of Rioja, as well as what makes its wines so special.
History of Rioja: Before DO Status
Hugo Arias, sommelier at Sommation, reveals that Rioja’s rich winemaking history dates back over 2,000 years. “Towns here were built by the Romans, and wherever they went, they had vines with them,” he explains. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Rioja became a hub for European winemaking innovation. “During the late 19th century, French winemakers desperate to flee phylloxera in Bordeaux brought advanced techniques, such as aging in small oak barrels, to northern Spain,” explains Michael Meagher, Master Sommelier and Sommsation sommelier. Arias echoes this point, stating that during the dark years of Rioja, it was ultimately Rioja that kept the juice flowing through France.
Additionally, Arias cites Rioja as one of the first places in all of Spain to use electricity in the cellar, specifically at R. López de Heredia. Beyond vinification advancements, Arias also notes that Rioja was the first appellation to achieve the country’s coveted DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada) status, which has only been awarded to two regions to date.
All About the Wines of Rioja
Although wines of all styles and colors are made in Rioja, the area is best known for its bold, full-bodied reds based mostly on the Tempranillo variety. Other red varieties, permitted in small quantities, include Garnacha, Mazuelo (Carignan), and Graciano. Beyond grape requirements, Rioja wines are classified based on their age: Joven, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. “These categories each increase time in oak and bottle, shaping their style and complexity,” says Meagher.
For red wines labeled Crianza, the aging period required is two years, one of which must be done in oak. For red Reserva wines, the aging period is three years, two of which must be done in oak. Lastly, for Gran Reserva reds, the aging minimum is two years in barrel and three years in bottle. For whites and rosés, which are made in significantly smaller quantities, the aging requirements boast similar incremental increases, though with lower minimum aging times across the board. In the case of white wines from Rioja, the main grape is Viura (Macabeo), with small amounts of Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía also cultivated.
Another way in which nature signals the impending moment of harvest is through the biodiversity found within the vines. Birds, insects, and other creatures are drawn to grapes for their sweetness, and will often bear a stronger presence during moments closer to ripeness.
While the presence of animals can be a helpful reminder that harvest is near, it can also cause a myriad of problems in terms of fruit loss. In response, various means of vineyard management to ensure that grapes remain on the vine are implemented, including shielding the plants with nets or adding predatory falcons to the vineyard.
The 'Who's Who' of Rioja
Rioja is home to over 600 wineries, which cover 66,000+ hectares of vineyards and export to over 135 countries—and as with any region, a few noteworthy producers have played a significant role in elevating the appellation’s global reputation to what it is today. “Lopez de Heredia, Muga, and CVNE are among Rioja’s most iconic producers, each playing a key role in shaping the region’s identity,” says Meagher, highlighting López de Heredia’s unwavering commitment to tradition, crafting age-worthy wines using time-honored methods and extensive barrel aging.Similarly, Meagher cites Muga as an estate that beautifully meshes tradition with innovation, as the winery maintains an in-house cooperage while embracing modern techniques, such as use of French barriques, to age its wines. “CVNE, a historic estate dating back to 1879, helped define the classic Rioja style and continues to produce some of the region’s most celebrated wines, including the legendary Imperial Gran Reserva,” Meagher says.
Arias finds that most of the region’s producers fall into one of two categories: traditionalists and modernists. “Traditionalists are the very old wineries that like to age their wines for a long time in used oak—a lot of it American—and release them when they [feel that] are ready to be drunk,” he says, citing R.Lopez de Heredia, Muga, La Rioja Alta S.A, and Marques de Murrieta as some of the great classics. On the other hand, Arias describes modernists as those who produce their wines using more modern technology, as well as release their wines younger. Popular modernists include Baigorri, Remírez de Ganuza, and Dinastia Vivanco.
Wines of Rioja: Versatile and Food Friendly
Beyond their high-quality nature and historic place in viticultural history, the wines of Rioja are accessible, flavor packed, and pair beautifully with a variety of foods. “Rioja makes very nice, complex and elegant wines which translate to uncomplicated beverages for pairings,” says Arias, citing pork, lamb and game meats as some of the wines’ best pairings. Meagher agrees, citing grilled or roasted meats—particularly ribeye, pork chops, or even barbecue, as perfect matches for the acidity, oak presence, and smoky, savory flavors found in the region’s reds.“Aged Riojas, especially Reservas and Gran Reservas, pair beautifully with hard cheeses like Manchego or aged cheddar,” says Meagher. For a more casual option, he recommends reaching for Crianza bottlings, which go great with tapas, burgers, and pizza. “Rioja and pepperoni/mushroom pizza is delicious!” he exclaims, crediting the match to the bright fruit and balanced structure found in the wines. For white Rioja, Arias looks to roasted veggies for a go-to pairing—and sums it up best here: “It’s really hard to go wrong with Rioja!”
Timeless Tradition and Unmatched Value
Meagher notes that due to its unique mix of Atlantic and Mediterranean influences, Rioja’s terroir is perfect for growing Tempranillo, the region’s flagship grape, and a century of honing its craft has led the region to garner respect from collectors and wine industry professionals worldwide. “Rioja later became Spain’s first DOCa, a testament to its excellence,” Meagher explains. “The balance of elegance and rustic charm in Rioja’s reds makes them both compelling and versatile at the table.”
Similarly, Arias states that Rioja delivers some of the best wines in the world for their price point—especially collector-worthy late-release and back-vintage bottles. “One can find unbelievable wines at affordable prices—and from a region that has so much history and tradition,” he says, describing Rioja as a “reference and staple in the wine world” despite its relatively small size. “Again, you just can’t go wrong with Rioja,” he affirms.
For Meagher, spending time in the appellation added to his respect for its tradition and history. “Visiting the region—kicking the dirt, talking with winemakers, and experiencing the warmth of the culture—gave me a deep appreciation for the passion behind these wines,” he explains, emphasizing that beyond their quality, Rioja wines remain some of the best values in the world. “I love Rioja because it offers an incredible mix of history, tradition, and approachability, as well as offers remarkable depth and aging potential, especially at the highest levels.”
To learn more about the world’s greatest wine regions and producers, book a wine tasting experience with one of our expert sommeliers here or browse our selection of globally curated wines.
