RIOJA 'TOO RESTRICTIVE'

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Stuart Peskett

Rioja winery Marqus de Riscal has hit out at the Consejo Regulador, claiming its tough rules are stifling experimentation. Export manager Javier Ybez says he would like to use Merlot or Syrah in the future, but under DO rules the winery would not be allowed to put the word Rioja' on the bottle. Ybez said: I think Rioja is very restrictive with the companies. If we want to plant Syrah, it's the company's risk. If you want to innovate, there is no way to realise it, and if here in Rioja you have the soil for a good Syrah, you don't have the opportunity to plant it. The Consejo Regulador tries to protect the growers, which is 100% right, but I think it is too restrictive, because it's our risk if we want to try another variety. I know you have to protect the Rioja image, but the Consejo doesn't offer the opportunities to see if the Merlot grape can work here. Identity is one thing - experimentation is another.' Marqus de Riscal hopes to open its 40 million, Frank Gehry-designed city of wine' in September 2005.

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