Decanter panel tasting (Mar 2012): Rioja 2007 - The wines
Reservas were praised, crianzas slated and there was scpetism around the typicity of the 'alta expresión' wines. But on the whole, judges recommended this approachable vintage.
Reservas were praised, crianzas slated and there was scpetism around the typicity of the 'alta expresión' wines. But on the whole, judges recommended this approachable vintage.
Two Rioja producers have revived the region’s tradition of producing late-harvest wines.
Rioja bodega Faustino is the first large-scale producer to make a white Rioja using Chardonnay in the blend alongside Viura.
Renowned Spanish producer Vega Sicilia will release its new Rioja wine – a joint venture with a member of the Rothschild family – next year.
Marques de Murrieta, one of Spain's most renowned estates, is completing a €20m renovation project that has involved tearing down and rebuilding the entire bodega.
Nearly five years after Rioja bodegas were allowed to use international white varieties in their blends, only 150ha of new white vineyards have been planted.
A devastating fire has entirely destroyed Rioja's Bodegas Señorio de Villarrica.
High temperatures in August and September have led to an early harvest across Spain.
And the winner is...
Spain has lost its 12-year battle with Argentina over use of the name La Rioja.
It’s the most famous name in Spanish wine. But with its head, Miguel Torres, retiring this year, speculation is mounting as to who will succeed him, and where the producer will go from there.
2010 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Excelente! Has the potential to stand alongside 2005. Drink 2014–2024.
At Decanter we all love our wine, and every week members of the Decanter team - from editorial assistant to publishing director - tell us what they've been enjoying at home and when they go out...
2009 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. A 'useful' vintage, probably for drinking relatively early.
2008 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Ripe, balanced, medium-boded red wines, with bright acidity. Whites are racy with good fruit and floral flavours.
2007 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Most consistent quality from Rioja Baja, with crisp, well-balanced, elegant wines.
2006 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Good to very good vintage, with a moderate harvest securing good quality fruit and fresh, supple and crisp wines.
2005 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. The grapes arrived in excellent health with analytical parameters which correspond to an extraordinary vintage.
2004 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Wines with high alcohol and concentrated colour and aromas ideal for ageing
2003 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Mixed bag, though better producers created powerful, intense and balanced wines
The 2001 vintage in Rioja – and around Spain – is set to be as good as the greatest vintages of the 20th century.
2002 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Fairly broad early drinking wines
2001 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Classic Rioja wines: robust and round with balancing acidity
2000 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Officially a three-star vintage. Some made better wine than others.
1999 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. Yields were down but generally quality is good.
1998 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. A largely successful year with plenty of above average wines.
1997 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. A sound but unexceptional year.
1996 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. A very good vintage though less fine than the preceding two.
1995 vintage guide for Spain Rioja. A big vintage of classic wines.