Perhaps surprisingly, Rioja is closer to Bordeaux (200 miles) than to the Mediterranean Sea. Most of the Rioja wine region lies in the province of La Rioja, with small parts extending into neighboring Basque country and Navarra. Rioja Alta is the westernmost subregion. Rioja Alavesa lies across the Ebro, to the north. Both of these high-altitude subregions enjoy a relatively mild climate and hilly terrain by comparison with Rioja Baja, a lower flat area in the eastern zone of Rioja which is marked by hot, dry weather. 

Many of the best grapes grow on the cooler slopes around Haro and other towns in Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, west of Logrono, the provincial capital. While distinctions exist among the wines of the three subregions, most Rioja wines actually contain a blend from two or more of these zones-a factor which contributes to the overall consistency of Rioja wines.

Rioja in Spain