Rioja is named after the river Rio Oja, a tributary to the Ebro river. Earliest evidence of viticulture dates back to 873, though there is strong belief that the first vines were planted during the Roman era. Soils are clay rich in iron and chalk, but some areas are prominent alluvial and others sandstone. The climate is warm continental having long cold winters and short hot summers with big temperature variation between day and night.

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