The Rewards of Quality

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Sandra Morrison
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Rioja Alavesa A Privileged Region in the Basque

with a Sea View A Special Wine, Deeply Rooted

2 Rioja Alavesa A Privileged Region in the Basque Country One of the World s Most Highly Rated Wines Europe s Most Dynamic Wine-Growing Region The Rewards of Quality Txakoli The Basque Wine with a Sea View A Special Wine, Deeply Rooted in the Basque Culture A Wine of Increasing Popularity

RIOJA ALAVESA WINES Rioja Qualified Denomination of Origin Rioja Alavesa Quality of origin Rioja Alavesa is a privileged region in the

The Rioja Alavesa vineyards number close to 13,000 hectares, 21% of the total grapegrowing area included in the Rioja Qualified Denomination

The acknowledged quality of the wine originates in the land itself: most of the vineyards are situated on southern-facing hills sloping

The soil, with its high content of clay and limestone, coupled with the characteristics of the climate, make this an ideal region for

3 RIOJA ALAVESA WINES Rioja Qualified Denomination of Origin Rioja Alavesa Quality of origin Rioja Alavesa is a privileged region in the Basque Country, perfect for the production of high quality wines. The Rioja Alavesa vineyards number close to 13,000 hectares, 21% of the total grapegrowing area included in the Rioja Qualified Denomination of Origin. The acknowledged quality of the wine originates in the land itself: most of the vineyards are situated on southern-facing hills sloping gently down from the foot of the Toloño/Cantabria Mountains to the Ebro River. The soil, with its high content of clay and limestone, coupled with the characteristics of the climate, make this an ideal region for grape-growing. LOCATION BASQUE COUNTRY SOIL RIOJA ALAVESA CLIMATE GRAPE A PRIVILEGED Region The special personality of these wines comes from the excellent grape: both the young wines obtained through carbonic maceration and the highly appreciated cask-aged crianzas, reserves and gran reserves are richly nuanced and expressive. The most extensive varieties of grape are the tempranillo for red wines and viura for whites.

RIOJA ALAVESA WINES Rioja Qualified Denomination of Origin TRADITION INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY Leader

wine-growing sector of the Rioja Alavesa region has undergone spectacular changes, achieving prominence

The legacy born of a secular tradition in the art of making wine has been complemented and balanced

the application of high technology, and important investments made by the wineries to modernize

4 RIOJA ALAVESA WINES Rioja Qualified Denomination of Origin TRADITION INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY Leader NVESTMENT Of Quality European Wines Rioja Alavesa Quality Of Vocation In the past decade, the wine-growing sector of the Rioja Alavesa region has undergone spectacular changes, achieving prominence among European regions producing quality wines. The legacy born of a secular tradition in the art of making wine has been complemented and balanced with the incorporation of expert enologists, innovation in the cultivation and elaboration processes, the application of high technology, and important investments made by the wineries to modernize infrastructures. Coordination between public and private agents to promote both long- and short-term strategies for improving the quality of the wine has also had a significant effect.

RIOJA ALAVESA WINES Rioja Qualified Denomination of Origin Rioja Alavesa Available in the World s Best Restaurants The Value of a Name Rioja Alavesa wines enjoy international recognition.

5 RIOJA ALAVESA WINES Rioja Qualified Denomination of Origin Rioja Alavesa Available in the World s Best Restaurants The Value of a Name Rioja Alavesa wines enjoy international recognition. They have received numerous awards and distinctions, and are available in the world s best restaurants. Along with French wines, they are a reference point within the European quality wine-growing sector. In the last five years, mainly due to the growing market, Rioja Alavesa sales have increased 58%, with production now at 100 million bottles. Thirty percent of total commercialization is exported. One out of every three bottles of the Rioja Denomination is a Rioja Alavesa. In terms of quality, Rioja Alavesa wines are currently considered leaders of the Rioja Qualified Denomination of Origin. Customer loyalty to the Rioja brand is the highest in Europe among wines holding a denomination of origin.

Rioja Alavesa A Cultural Phenomenon Market trends towards

to be jealously kept secrets: the art of wine-making, from

through small villages full of history and rich in cultural

Gastronomy, wine-tasting, wine museums, charming hotels and a

6 Rioja Alavesa A Cultural Phenomenon Market trends towards quality wines have meant a growing social interest in the culture of wines: wine tourism. Many of the Rioja Alavesa wineries now show visitors what used to be jealously kept secrets: the art of wine-making, from small medieval wineries to models of internationally famous avant-garde architecture. The Rioja Alavesa region now offers unforgettable itineraries through small villages full of history and rich in cultural heritage, all within a singular landscape. Gastronomy, wine-tasting, wine museums, charming hotels and a wide repertoire of diverse activities pay tribute to the singular product of this land, offering the opportunity to get to know this exceptional grape-growing and wine-making region.

Txakoli, the Basque Wine with a Sea View Txakoli is a special wine, linked from time immemorial to the culture of the Basque people, a young, year-old wine that has existed for centuries.

7 Txakoli, the Basque Wine with a Sea View Txakoli is a special wine, linked from time immemorial to the culture of the Basque people, a young, year-old wine that has existed for centuries. The origin of the word txakoli most likely comes from the Basque etxakoa, meaning homemade or wine made in the caserio. The singularity of Txakoli DO wines comes from the natural characteristics of the area in which the grapes are grown: near the coast, where vineyards have existed for thousands of years. Low mountains near the Cantabrian Sea, a gentle Atlantic climate, and the native grape varieties, ideally suited to the environment in which they are grown, especially the Ondarribi Zuri, give txakoli a special personality, distinct from other wines. The savoir faire that comes from wise tradition, careful elaboration, meticulous controls and qualification ratings guarantee their quality and special characteristics. Ever since qualifying as a denomination of origin, demand for txakoli has grown year by year. This has helped the grape-growing and wine-making sector improve sustainable growth and balance, and has meant that txakoli is now available in the most important national hotels and specialized establishments, making it a growing international presence. Current production has now reached a volume of 4,000,000 bottles.

Txakoli de Getaria Until recently, Txakoli de Getaria DO included the production of three coastal towns: Getaria, Zarautz and Aia.

The Ondarribi Zuri grape, used for white wine, makes up 95% of production, with the Ondarribi Beltza grape making up the other 5%, for the less-extended elaboration

It is traditionally served by pouring it high into the glass. Thus, the full range of fruity aromas of this lightly carbonic wine can be fully appreciated.

8 Txakoli de Getaria Until recently, Txakoli de Getaria DO included the production of three coastal towns: Getaria, Zarautz and Aia. It now includes other municipalities of Gipuzkoa. The Ondarribi Zuri grape, used for white wine, makes up 95% of production, with the Ondarribi Beltza grape making up the other 5%, for the less-extended elaboration of rosé and red wines. Getaria Txakoli is a young, strawcolored, fruity wine with an average alcohol content of 11 percent and a characteristic slight acidity. It is traditionally served by pouring it high into the glass. Thus, the full range of fruity aromas of this lightly carbonic wine can be fully appreciated. A characteristic in the elaboration of Getaria txakoli is that, after fermentation, it reposes on the lees. To maintain the slight bubbly quality, the wine is not moved but is clarified by natural sedimentation in the original vat. Average annual production of Getaria txakoli is 2,200,000 bottles. TXAKOLI DE GETARIA Denomination of Origin

Txakoli de Bizkaia Txakoli de Álava Grown in small vineyards scattered throughout the territory of Bizkaia, usually situated on low, southernfacing hillsides near the coast.

White txakoli predominates: a young wine, elaborated using the white Ondarrabi Zuri and Ondarrabi Zuri Zerratia and the Mune Mahatsa.

Slightly acid palate, fresh and balanced.

Average annual production is 1,500,000 bottles. A reflection of the growing interest in txakoli is the Txakoli Museum, found in the new headquarters of the Txakoli de Bizkaia Governing Body in Leioa.

9 Txakoli de Bizkaia Txakoli de Álava Grown in small vineyards scattered throughout the territory of Bizkaia, usually situated on low, southernfacing hillsides near the coast. Average alcohol content of the txakoli de Bizkaia is approximately 11º. White txakoli predominates: a young wine, elaborated using the white Ondarrabi Zuri and Ondarrabi Zuri Zerratia and the Mune Mahatsa. The color varies between pale yellow and straw yellow, with the possibility of green tones. Clean and bright. Direct aroma, predominantly fruity coupled with floral and herbal hints. Slightly acid palate, fresh and balanced. Other types of txakoli produced under the Txakoli de Bizkaia Denomination of Origin are: cask-fermented white, rosé sometimes referred to as ojo de gallo and red. Average annual production is 1,500,000 bottles. A reflection of the growing interest in txakoli is the Txakoli Museum, found in the new headquarters of the Txakoli de Bizkaia Governing Body in Leioa. TXAKOLI DE BIZKAIA Denomination of Origin Álava Txakolí DO is geographically limited to the Ayala region, made up of 5 municipalities: Aiara, Artziniega, Amurrio, Laudio and Okondo. This region is located in northern Álava where the main varieties of native grapevines such as the Ondarribi Zuri and the Ondarribi Beltza are perfectly adapted to the Atlantic climate. Documented references describing the cultivation of wine in the Ayala Valley date from the first century. The most widespread type of txakoli is white: its color ranges from pale yellow to green to straw yellow. It is clean and bright, with a hint of natural minerality. Medium-bodied, predominantly fruity with floral and herbal hints. Slightly acidic palate, fresh and crisp. The commercialization of Álava txakoli has multiplied by five in only two decades. Currently, average production of this Denomination of Origin wine is 380,000 bottles. TXAKOLI DE ÁLAVA Denomination of Origin

FOR MORE INFORMATION BASQUE GOVERNMENT Ministry of Environment, Planning, Agriculture and Fisheries Tel.: 0034 945 019 682/4 ind-alimentarias@ej-gv.es www.vinosdelpaisvasco.net www.euskadi.

10 FOR MORE INFORMATION BASQUE GOVERNMENT Ministry of Environment, Planning, Agriculture and Fisheries Tel.: /4 Designation of Origin Advisory Committee Arabako Txakolina Txakoli de Álava Tel.: Designation of Origin Advisory Committee Bizkaiko Txakolina Txakoli de Bizkaia Tfno.: Designation of Origin Advisory Committee Getariako Txakolina Txakoli de Getaria Tel.: Association of Rioja Alavesa Wineries. A.B.R.A. Tel.: Araex-Rioja Alavesa, S.L. Tel.: Exba-7 Export Consortium AIE. Tel.: SEA Bodegas Rioja Alavesa. Tel.: This Edition: ,500 copies Copyright Administration of the Basque Autonomous Community Ministry of Environment, Planning, Agriculture and Fisheries Published by: Basque Government Ministry of Environment, Planning, Agriculture and Fisheries Photographs: Archive Basque Government by Mikel Arrazola Archive Ministry of Environment, Planning, Agriculture and Fisheries by Txomin Sáez Quintas Fotógrafos Aitor Ortiz Traslation: Sheila Ingrisano Design: Hélice creativos Printed by: Gráficas Dosbi, S. L. D.L.: VI-69/08

11 Basque Country SPAIN

BODEGAS TOBIA, S.L. Paraje Senda Rutia, s/n Cuzcurrita de Rio Tirón. La Rioja

BODEGAS TOBIA, S.L. Paraje Senda Rutia, s/n Cuzcurrita de Rio Tirón. La Rioja @.com Our Mission Tobía is name of an old grape varietal and it is also the name of our wine. We are part of Rioja, the land with wine name. We want to express to the world our land deep-rooted feelings,