05/09/06 Spanish Wines

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and on today's program, we are going to step into the realm of Spanish wines. Here in the United States we are most familiar with the Spanish red wine Rioja and regardless of what you have heard, all Rioja, is not alike. First of all the Spanish Region of Rioja is where geographically the chilly north Atlantic climate meets the warm Mediterranean climate in the south. It is a unique area, which may be the biggest contributor to the unique qualities of Rioja. Following the Oja River or Rio Oja - from which the area gleans it's name - Rioja is basically divided into three sectors - two in the northern portion Rioja Alta and Alavesa, and one in the south, the Baja. The most notable wines seem to come from the two northern areas. The wines are a blend of four grape varietals with Tempranillo, a varietal that is native to the region accounting for anywhere from 50 to 75 percent of the blend. Although the unique climate and native grape focus is a huge part of what makes Rioja so special it is probably the patience in aging that truly sets it apart from other wines. American oak has an affinity for these grape blends and thus it is the predominant barrel used in Rioja. A simple Rioja will spend one or two years aging in oak , giving them a fabulous earthy woodsy character that is not at all unpleasant. Tune in tomorrow when we continue our look at Spanish Rioja. And Thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.