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The winegrowers' association of the Rioja region Alavesa, ABRA, wants to break away from the D.O. Rioja and establish its own wine-growing region. As the British beverage magazine Haper's reports, the 120 wineries are dissatisfied with the orientation of quality and regional differentiation of their wines within the D.O.. Rioja. The majority of the wineries had voted for a new Viñedos de Alava D.O.. Politically, the region belongs to the Basque Country, but the rules are determined by the Rioja winegrowers' association. The ABRA emphasises that politics do not play a role. But the Rioja association mainly supports the industrial producers in the huge wine-growing region, who attach great importance to large quantities as well as low wine and grape prices, Harper's writes. The ABRA wants to go back to the quality categories single vineyard, local wine and regionally produced wine instead of the Rioja classification only according to the storage time in barriques.
In 2016, the ABRA had launched an appellation Viñedos de Álava within the D.O. Rioja. However, the expectations of sustainable economic conditions had not been fulfilled. That is why they now want to break away from it. Those in charge of the Rioja winegrowers' association have promised discussions about further reforms, but that is not enough. The process of creating the new D.O. Viñedos de Álava will be launched publicly next week. As soon as the EU had approved it, each winery would be free to decide which affiliation to choose.
(uka)