Rioja is one of two wine regions in Spain with the DOCa classification. The region, in the north of Spain, is divided into three sub-zones: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental. The wines are predominantly red, made from Tempranillo (overwhelmingly the most planted grape variety in the region), Grenache, Mazuelo and Graciano. The whites are made from Viura, Malvasia and Grenache Blanc.
Ageing in oak is important in Rioja and wines are further classified by the time they have spent in oak. The labelling terms Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate that a wine has spent an increasing amount of time in both oak barrels and bottle prior to release.
