La Rioja is one of the wine regions of Argentina. Located in the east, its capital is La Rioja.
La Rioja is one of the wine regions of Argentina. Located in the east, its capital is La Rioja. The province has a significant historical importance within Argentine history and culture.
It was founded in 1591 by the Spanish explorer Diego de Villarroel during the expedition commanded by Juan Ramírez Velasco. Its original name was Valle de la Vera Cruz, but it soon became known as La Rioja after its capital city which was named in honor of Rioja, Spain.
The capital of La Rioja has several cultural institutions such as the “Museo Folklórico y Complejo Cultural”, a museum specialized in contemporary art and music with an important collection of nearly 5,000 pieces mostly paintings and sculptures from renowned artists such as Florencio Molina Campos, Antonio Berni and Emilio Pettoruti among others. A famous national park called Ischigualasto (“Moon Valley” in English) is located nearby, where dinosaur fossils have been found among other natural elements.
History
Wine production in La Rioja began in the early 16th century, when Spanish missionaries and conquistadors planted vines on the banks of the Rio de las Conchas river, which flowed through the region. One such settler was Álvaro García del Castillo, who established a number of wineries in La Rioja during his travels throughout northern Spain. Del Castillo’s vineyards were later confiscated by Governor Pedro de Miranda, who used them to make wine for the church.
In 1560, Queen Juana I of Castile officially created a viticultural region named Rioja Baja — or Lower La Rioja — which encompassed both sides of the Ebro River as it passed through Spain’s Basque country. The first wines produced there were red table wines made from Tempranillo and Graciano grapes; these quickly gained popularity throughout Spain.
The first European inhabitants arrived in 1591, attempting to find a route between Lima, Peru and Buenos Aires.
- The first European inhabitants arrived in 1591, attempting to find a route between Lima, Peru and Buenos Aires.
- Captain Juan Ramirez de Velasco explored the area for Spain and named it Rioja.
- He found the region heavily populated by natives called Come-Atáns, who were nomadic hunter-gatherers.
- They founded a city called San Felipe de Lerma in 1653 as an important link between Chile and Brazil.
- It was a major source of food and supplies for travelers.
- The town also provided protection from indigenous peoples who often attacked travelers along this route.
Climate and geography
La Rioja has a continental semi-arid climate and is generally characterized by having large diurnal temperature variations, with hot days followed by cool nights. Mean annual precipitation of the province ranges from 300 to 500 millimetres (12 to 20 in). The province can be divided into three parts: the mountainous eastern zone, the central valley and the western zone. The mountainous eastern zone extends from the Andes mountains to the east of La Rioja city, where most of its population lives. The central valley is fertile and humid; it includes La Rioja city and many other towns such as Arauco, Chilecito and Chamical.
Most vineyards are located along the foothills of the Andes.
La Rioja is close to the Andes, which form the western boundary of the province. The highest peaks of the Andes in La Rioja are Cerro Catedral (4,907 m or 16,111 ft), Cerro Los Roses (4,825 m or 15,845 ft) and Cerro El Amago (4,770 m or 15,653 ft). Others include Cerro Lamarque (4,705 m or 15,427 ft), Cerro de la Muerte (4,610 m or 15,120 ft), and Cerro de la Cruz (4,500 m or 14,764 ft).
The region’s topography is characterized by deep canyons and valleys formed by the Precordillera. Most vineyards are located along the foothills of the Andes.
Appellations
- All of the world’s major wine regions are divided into smaller areas, or “appellations,” based on geography, climate and soil type. Grapes grown in each appellation have a unique identity that expresses the differences between these areas. Wines from different appellations may share the same grape variety, but they will be made with different methods, come from unique vineyards and taste completely different.
- Appellations have rules about what grapes can be grown and how wines can be made. For example, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux must have certain minimum percentages of certain other grapes to qualify for that label. Most regions also have rules about crop yields (the amount of grapes allowed on a given plot) and minimum alcohol percentages for wines from that area. In some cases, specific winemaking techniques are mandatory while others are banned by law.
Wine laws in La Rioja are based on those of Córdoba Province, meaning that wines are classified as Fino (light and fresh; up to 12% alcohol), Semifino (up to 13%), Corriente (up to 14%), Superiores (up to 15%) and Gran Reservas (extra quality wines aged at least two years).
Wines from La Rioja are grouped into six categories, based on the quality of the grapes used and the aging process. These are: Fino, Semifino, Corriente, Superiores and Gran Reservas. Fino is generally light and fresh and made up to 12% alcohol. The wine goes through a cooling process as it ages. Semifino is a stronger wine that ages longer than Fino wines do—up to 13%. Corriente wines are also strong but tend to have more of a fruit flavor; they’re aged up to 14%. Superiores wines can be aged up to 15% and tend to be extra fruity. Lastly, Gran Reserva wines go through the most aging process—at least two years.
Grapes
- Bonarda
- white grape, makes mid range wines
- Torrontes white grape, makes high quality wines
- Malbec (also grown in Bordeaux and Cahors) red wine, makes higher quality wines -here they’re called criolla grande
- Syrah (also grown in Rhone Valley) red grape, used to make higher quality wines
- Tempranillo (also grown in Spain) red grape, used to make mid range and low end wine
The main grapes are Bonarda, Criolla Chica, Criolla Grande, Malbec, Moscato, Tempranillo and Torrontés.
- Bonarda, Malbec, Moscato and Torrontés are all red grapes.
- Criolla Chica and Criolla Grande are both white grapes—but only the latter is a large grape.
Prominent wineries
If you’re visiting La Rioja, there are a few wineries you must visit:
- Familia Zuccardi is a family-owned company that produces more than 3.2 million bottles of wine annually.
- Bodega Colomé is the oldest winery in the region and has been producing wines for 165 years. The estate features a museum where visitors can learn about its history as well as an art gallery with works by famous artists.
- Bodega Catena Zapata produces some of the world’s best Malbec wines from grapes grown at three different altitudes on their vineyards. The family business was established in 1902, but they didn’t start making wine until 1998 when they released their first vintage of Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
- Bodega Nieto Senetiner is one of the most popular wineries in Argentina’s Andean region, known for its high quality wines such as “Corte A” Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot blend called Nuit Blanche (sleeping night). It also produces sparkling whites like Brut Rosé d’Andes made entirely out of Pinot Noir grapes!
La Rioja produces quality wines.
La Rioja is the center of Argentina’s wine regions. While the neighboring Salta region gets some attention for its high elevation, La Rioja produces higher volumes and more quality wines than any other region in the country.
The city of La Rioja sits at the eastern end of a valley that extends to Chile, with a low mountain range on either side. The city was founded by Spanish conquistadors who hoped to find a faster route between Lima, Peru and Buenos Aires. They instead found an area rich in gold and silver. Today, it’s an area rich in Malbec and Torrontes grapes — two of Argentina’s most popular wine varieties — as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay.