DISQUS

John Witherspoon · 1 year ago

Very cool info - I had no idea of the speculation behind Rioja. I vote for number 4, derived from the Basque word for Bread Country.


see ya





John

John Witherspoon · 1 year ago

Very cool info - I had no idea of the speculation behind Rioja. I vote for number 4, derived from the Basque word for Bread Country.

see ya
John

Marco · 1 year ago

I would vote for the pilgrims crossing the river. I would walk hundreds of miles for a good Rioja and spit roasted lamb!

Marco · 1 year ago

Someone emailed me and mentioned that the word "Oja" might provide a key.

Marco · 1 year ago

I would vote for the pilgrims crossing the river. I would walk hundreds of miles for a good Rioja and spit roasted lamb!

Marco · 1 year ago

Someone emailed me and mentioned that the word "Oja" might provide a key.

Cornell · 1 year ago

I like the pilgrims crossing the river theory - if for no other reason than I can probably remember that one. Beside being named after bread eating invaders who crossed some irony soil just doesn't sound very romantic.

el jefe · 1 year ago

I like #3 because I also grow Tempranillo, Graciano, and Garnacha in red iron-rich soil. But I also like #5 because I have friends who have walked the Camino de Santiago, and it sounds like an amazing thing to do.


I have always wondered about where "La Rioja" came from. Thanks for an excellent post!!!

Cornell · 1 year ago

I like the pilgrims crossing the river theory - if for no other reason than I can probably remember that one. Beside being named after bread eating invaders who crossed some irony soil just doesn't sound very romantic.

RichardA · 1 year ago

#6. Aliens!

el jefe · 1 year ago

I like #3 because I also grow Tempranillo, Graciano, and Garnacha in red iron-rich soil. But I also like #5 because I have friends who have walked the Camino de Santiago, and it sounds like an amazing thing to do.

I have always wondered about where "La Rioja" came from. Thanks for an excellent post!!!

RichardA · 1 year ago

#6. Aliens!

AllAboutAlavesa · 1 year ago

Another popular myth, at least in Rioja Alavesa, is that the name could have derived from the early wine producers noticing all the leaves (hojas) after the harvest filling the rivers and streams. I enjoy this theory, especially after fly fishing many of these "RIOS" after the harvest and literally not being able to see the water underneath all the "HOJAS." Although, I am quite partial to the Santiago Ijalba Theory....Delicious Wines! (Although the link above is wrong, it is <a href="<a href="http://www.santiagoijalba.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.santiagoijalba.com) "><a href="http://www.santiagoijalba.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.santiagoijalba.com)

AllAboutAlavesa · 1 year ago

Another popular myth, at least in Rioja Alavesa, is that the name could have derived from the early wine producers noticing all the leaves (hojas) after the harvest filling the rivers and streams. I enjoy this theory, especially after fly fishing many of these "RIOS" after the harvest and literally not being able to see the water underneath all the "HOJAS." Although, I am quite partial to the Santiago Ijalba Theory....Delicious Wines! (Although the link above is wrong, it is <a href="<a href="http://www.santiagoijalba.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.santiagoijalba.com) "><a href="http://www.santiagoijalba.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.santiagoijalba.com)

AllAboutAlavesa · 1 year ago

Another popular myth, at least in Rioja Alavesa, is that the name could have derived from the early wine producers noticing all the leaves (hojas) after the harvest filling the rivers and streams. I enjoy this theory, especially after fly fishing many of these "RIOS" after the harvest and literally not being able to see the water underneath all the "HOJAS." Although, I am quite partial to the Santiago Ijalba Theory....Delicious Wines! (Although the link above is wrong, it is <a href="<a href="http://www.santiagoijalba.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.santiagoijalba.com) "><a href="http://www.santiagoijalba.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.santiagoijalba.com)

AllAboutAlavesa · 1 year ago

Another popular myth, at least in Rioja Alavesa, is that the name could have derived from the early wine producers noticing all the leaves (hojas) after the harvest filling the rivers and streams. I enjoy this theory, especially after fly fishing many of these "RIOS" after the harvest and literally not being able to see the water underneath all the "HOJAS." Although, I am quite partial to the Santiago Ijalba Theory....Delicious Wines! (Although the link above is wrong, it is <a href="<a href="http://www.santiagoijalba.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.santiagoijalba.com) "><a href="http://www.santiagoijalba.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.santiagoijalba.com)

AllAboutAlavesa · 1 year ago

Another popular myth, at least in Rioja Alavesa, is that the name could have derived from the early wine producers noticing all the leaves (hojas) after the harvest filling the rivers and streams. I enjoy this theory, especially after fly fishing many of these "RIOS" after the harvest and literally not being able to see the water underneath all the "HOJAS." Although, I am quite partial to the Santiago Ijalba Theory....Delicious Wines! (Although the link above is wrong, it is www.santiagoijalba.com)

Gabriella · 1 year ago

Thank you for offering up another root for the word 'Rioja'! I've never heard of the 'hoja' theory before, but it is one I will most definitely keep as a possible contender!

Gabriella · 1 year ago

Thank you for offering up another root for the word 'Rioja'! I've never heard of the 'hoja' theory before, but it is one I will most definitely keep as a possible contender!

Tom Perry · 1 year ago

I was told by one of the owners of the La Rioja Alta winery several years ago (who lives in Vitoria and, I believe, speaks Basque fluently-anyway, his surname is Aránzabal), that he thinks RIOJA came from the Basque words for "cold land" (herri hotza). Whether or not this is true, I believe the theory of Rioja's coming from Basque is the most plausible, as Basque was spoken throughout Rioja in the Middle Ages. If you visit the monastery at San Millan de la Cogolla you will see an inscription in old Basque on the wall near the stairs.

Rosie · 1 year ago

Although there are a variety of explanations for La Rioja, I am willing to accept that all theories contain some truth. Nonetheless, I enjoyed my visit to El Ciego and the Marques de Riscal winery five years ago. I plan to keep reading about La Rioja, traveling there, and drinking its wines. Thank You!