European Wine Reference (Wine Folly)
Rioja
Spain's most famous Tempranillo region — elegant, juicy reds under a strict oak-aging classification, with the best values in the south.
Rioja is Spain's most famous region for Tempranillo, making a much more elegant style than Ribera del Duero, with juicy red-fruit flavors. The region has a strict classification system that includes oak-aging regimes — useful, because when you buy a "Reserva" you know exactly what you're getting into. As a whole there are seven valleys of Rioja, all producing subtly different styles, and the best values are found in the south (Rioja Baja) (source: European Wine Exploration Map _ Wine Folly.pdf).
Rioja's aging-classification idea makes an interesting comparison with Burgundy's terroir-first system of climats.
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