Rioja is Spain's best-known wine region, built around Tempranillo grown across three sub-zones — the cooler, higher Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta, and the warmer, lower Rioja Oriental. What distinguishes Rioja most is its ageing classification: Joven wines are released young, Crianza and Reserva spend increasing time in oak and bottle before release, and Gran Reserva — reserved for the best vintages — can age for years before reaching the shelf. Traditional producers favour American oak, giving the wines a distinctive vanilla and dill character alongside Tempranillo's red fruit.

Key grapes: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo