Solabal Crianza DO Rioja 2021

Rioja and it’s sub-zones:

Rioja DOCa is arguably the most well known Spanish wine region to those abroad.  It’s located about three hours north of Madrid and is under 100 kilometres south of Bilbao on the Atlantic coast.  The River Ebro runs through the region with vineyards situated around it, planted mostly with red grapes like Tempranillo and Garnacha, though white grapes are also grown here in small quantities.  Tucked into the Cantabria mountain range, the Rioja region is sheltered from cool, maritime weather that typically lands in Basque country, immediately to the north.

Generally, Rioja can be divided into 3 broad zones from west to east:

1. Rioja Alta (highest land, western Rioja)
2. Rioja Alavesa (dictated by the boundaries of Basque Alava province)
3. Rioja Oriental  (eastern Rioja, previously known as Rioja Baja – meaning “low”)

Even though these three areas of vineyard land are distinctly identified in Rioja, you typically do not see these zones written on a label. That’s because this large region has historically classified its wines based on their extended oak aging rather than by their vineyards or villages (like you would see in Bordeaux, Burgundy or Napa Valley for example).

The Connection to Bordeaux:

The relationship between Rioja and Bordeaux is complicated, and spans centuries. Historically, Bordeaux’s position as a port city gave the French an economic advantage over Spain’s mainland Rioja region. But in the 19th century, French winemakers had to flee the phylloxera epidemic (a tiny plant louse) that was destroying their vines at the root. Out of desperation to continue their winemaking, they traveled to the other side of the Pyranees and landed in Rioja. At this time, Spanish winemakers began adopting French techniques, including the use of oak barrels which played a tremendous role in shaping the style of Rioja wines, particularly in terms of aging, complexity, and structure

What you will see on a Rioja label is how long the wine has spent in oak (from unoaked, up to over 5+ years in barrel). Check out the Wine Folly website to see some great visuals explaining the oaking terminology for Rioja wines.

• Joven – a young wine, minimal oaking
• Crianza – aged for a total of 2 years with at least 1 year in oak barrels
• Reserva – aged for a total of 3 years with at least 1 year in oak barrels and another 6 months in bottle
• Gran Reserva – aged for a total of 5 years with at least 2 years in oak and 2 years resting in bottle

Rioja Alta and Alavesa have similar climates, reaching elevations up to 800m above sea level as vineyards are planted along the limestone boulders that make up the Sierra de Cantabria.  Grapes are virtually the only crop in these two areas, with a main distinction between them and the warmer Rioja Oriental being a difference in soil type.  As you climb in elevation throughout Rioja, clay and limestone soils begin to dominate therefore producing more elegant and mineral-driven wines that age well.