Twelve excellent Riojas according to MW Pedro Ballesteros

• The expert highlights the diversity of the DOCa in a masterclass for participants of the second edition of Rioja Camp, which kicked off yesterday
• Ballesteros explains the concept of excellence in sustainability, time, and style through a tasting of eight reds, three whites, and one rosé from Rioja
• MW Pedro Ballesteros: “One of the region’s most important assets is Rioja’s ability to reinvent itself without losing its soul.

The renowned wine expert and Master of Wine Pedro Ballesteros, one of the world’s most respected authorities on wine, led a tasting seminar yesterday for the 24 participants of the second edition of the Rioja Camp program. This immersive educational experience, developed by the Regulatory Council for top international wine professionals, is taking place this week as participants explore the Denomination to deepen their knowledge of the DOCa.

The session, titled “Great Rioja Excellences,” delved into the factors that contribute to the recognized excellence and quality of Rioja wines, further solidifying its reputation as one of the world’s leading wine regions. “Together, we will aim to identify the most characteristic features of Rioja’s past, present, and future through the liquid evidence in the glass,” Ballesteros began. “Excellence in Rioja wine is more akin to excellence in art than conventional product concepts of excellence: it is achieved through a diversity of backgrounds, conditions, and personal capabilities.”

Through the tasting of twelve Rioja wines, each representing a different aspect of excellence, the Master of Wine guided the exercise, which was closely followed by the selected participants in the program. “Rioja’s identity is not based on a single wine style, but rather on a geographic definition, a complex history, and a dynamic present,” stated Pedro Ballesteros.

Specifically, one rosé, three white wines, and eight reds from Rioja were chosen by the MW to exemplify different patterns that make up Rioja—twelve excellent examples from different angles to approach the DOCa. Using these wines, Ballesteros illustrated concepts like “excellence in sustainability” and “excellence in future generations,” while defining aspects such as “excellence in Viñedos Singulares” and “excellence in old vineyards,” emphasizing the significance and nuances of terroir, where Ballesteros demonstrated the Denomination’s scale as one of the regions with the largest amount of old vineyards in the world.

Elements such as “excellence in the winery,” exploring the art of winemaking; “excellence in variety,” where the expert highlighted the exceptional quality and uniqueness of DOCa Rioja’s native grapes; “excellence over time,” showcasing Rioja wines’ remarkable ability to age with elegance and quality; and “excellence in branding,” explaining how some wineries have established a distinctive style within the larger Rioja brand, creating exceptional wines, were also studied during the tasting.

Additionally, “excellence in blending” and “excellence in style” were explored in the exercise, along with the importance of the territory, with concepts like “excellence of place” and “excellence in the area or municipality.” “Arguably, one of the region’s most important assets is Rioja’s ability to reinvent itself without losing its soul,” Ballesteros concluded.