The La Rioja region in Spain is synonymous with red wine. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful Spanish wine region with 57,000 hectares of vineyards spread across its landscape. La Rioja is most famous for its Tintos (red wines) whereas Blancos (white wines) and Rosadas (rose wines) are also popular. The tintos are made from Tempranillo grapes; the most widely used grape variety. It is often blended with Garnache and in small quanitites Mazuelo and Graciano.

The La Rioja region gets its name from the Rio Oja River that flows through the Oja Valley in this province. The region is divided into three principal sub-regions- Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa. Phoenician settlers brought winemaking to La Rioja in 11th century and Romans developed it further.The winemaking ceased in La Rioja after the Romans and was revived again in the 14th century. But the real improvement began from the 18th century and today Spanish wine figures among the best red wines of the world.

The Rioja wines are divided into four categories- Rioja, Crianza, Rioja Reserva and Rioja Gran Reserva. The Rioja is the youngest wine which is aged in oak for less than a year; while the Crianza is aged for minimum 2 years, one which is in oak. The Rioja Reserva is aged for at least 3 years of which one is in oak and Rioja Gran Reserva wine is aged for minimum 5 years, of which at least 2 are in oak.

Some of the best and worth visiting wineries of La Rioja are Bodegas Darien, Finca Valpiedra, Bodegas C.V.N.E., Bodegas Regalía de Ollauri, Viñedos del Ternero, Bodega Viña Real and Bodegas Viña Izadi.Like most wine destination, La Rioja is also popular among tourists with its beautiful and picturesque backdrop. Apart from the wine tours, the region offers a lot for the tourists which includes hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing.