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Rioja Calificada, also known as Denominación de Origen Calificada (Qualified Denomination of Origin) Rioja, is a designated wine region in Spain. This region is known for producing high-quality wines, particularly red wines, from different grape varieties.
This region is located in North-central Spain, straddling both sides of the River Ebro. It's divided into three different areas: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental (previously known as Rioja Baja). Each area has its own distinctive climatic characteristics which contribute to the unique taste and style of the wines produced.
The highest ‘Calificada’ status was earned by Rioja in 1991, which is a testament to the high quality of the wines it produces. This was the first region in Spain to be awarded this highest category available under Spanish wine law.
The primary grape variety used in Rioja wine is Tempranillo, which is often blended with other varieties such as Garnacha (Grenache), Graciano, and Mazuelo. Wines from this region are also often aged in oak barrels which gives them complex flavors and a distinctive rounded, smooth finish.
The wines produced in Rioja can be further categorized based on the length of aging. The classifications include "Crianza" (aged for at least two years, with at least one year in oak), "Reserva" (aged for at least three years, with at least one year in oak), and "Gran Reserva" (aged for a minimum of two years in oak and three years in the bottle).
Rioja is noted for its excellence in winemaking and illustrious history, making it one of the premier wine production regions globally.