Few wine regions command as much respect as Rioja. Spain's flagship DOCa has been producing age-worthy, complex reds for well over a century, and its finest bottles stand comfortably alongside the world's greatest wines. At Mercado 46, our Rioja selection spans 113 references — from approachable, fruit-forward Crianzas to profound Gran Reservas with decades of cellar time behind them. Whether you're building a serious collection or simply looking for a terroir-driven bottle to open tonight, you'll find the right wine here. Prices range from under €5 to over €375, with an average of €33.
Understanding Rioja
Rioja's Denominación de Origen Calificada — the highest classification in Spanish wine — is divided into three distinct sub-zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental. Each brings its own character to the glass. The clay-limestone soils of Rioja Alta tend to produce structured, mineral-edged wines with remarkable longevity. Rioja Alavesa, cooler and more Atlantic-influenced, yields wines of notable freshness and aromatic lift. Rioja Oriental, warmer and more continental, delivers riper, fuller-bodied expressions. This diversity is one of the region's greatest strengths, and it's reflected across our 113-bottle selection.
Tempranillo and Beyond
Tempranillo is the backbone of Rioja, offering dark cherry fruit, tobacco, leather and an earthy, terroir-driven core that takes beautifully to oak ageing. Alongside it, Garnacha brings warmth and red-fruit roundness, while Graciano adds a lively acidity and floral notes that help Reserva and Gran Reserva blends age gracefully over decades. The region's classification system — Joven, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva — gives buyers a reliable guide to oak contact and bottle age, making it easier to match a wine to the moment.
Standout Bottles in Our Catalogue
At the pinnacle of our Rioja offering sits Macán 2021 from the celebrated collaboration between Benjamín de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia. Made exclusively from old-vine Tempranillo grown in Rioja Alavesa, it delivers silky mouthfeel, well-integrated oak and a finish that lingers long after the glass is empty. The Macán 2020 vintage is equally compelling — denser on the palate, with grippy tannins that promise outstanding development in the cellar. For those drawn to living history, the Conde de los Andes 1970 is a remarkable testament to Rioja's capacity to age: over fifty years in bottle, yet still showing a structured, haunting complexity that few regions in the world could replicate.
Shop Rioja at Mercado 46
Our selection has been assembled with the discerning wine lover in mind. Every bottle is chosen for its authenticity, producer pedigree and genuine expression of its sub-zone. Whether you're seeking a weeknight Crianza or a serious investment-grade Grand Reserva, Mercado 46 offers a curated, trustworthy route into one of the world's great wine regions. Browse our full range and order with confidence.
