The association of small winemakers from Rioja Alavesa ABRA promoted the project in the summer of 2022, with the aim of marketing wine with the DO Viñedos de Álava label. The issue has economic but also political aspects, which we will review in this chronology.
JUNE 2022
About fifteen wineries from Rioja Alavesa will apply for the new name ‘Viñedos de Álava’ this year
Several small wineries in Laguardia, Samaniego, Villabuena and Lanciego decided to take the step and they will ask this year to benefit from the new designation of origin “Arabako Mahastiak/Viñedos de Álava”.
JULY 2022
“Viñedos de Álava” are already asking permission to sell Rioja wine in Spain with their own denomination
In the meantime, the European Union is solving the file requesting approval for this new denomination. The request would be transient, until Brussels agrees or not to what is requested by ABRA, the Rioja Alavesa Winery Association.
OCTOBER 2022
The Basque government allows the designation of origin of Viñedos de Álava
It’s about a temporary permitsince the last word belongs to the European Commission, whose decision is still awaited.
The Basque government points out that the authorization is provisional, while the PP Rioja demands that the President of the Government of La Rioja, Concha Andreu, appeal against that authorization. For his part, the deputy general of Álava, Ramiro González, is pushing for a DOC Rioja Alavesa in Rioja.
VIDEO: The appellation Viñedos de Álava, in numbers:
NOVEMBER 2022
The Basque government underlines the legitimacy of the DO Viñedos de Álava and calls for respect for the process
If Europe is against to the new designation, will force the Rioja Alavesa Winery Association to withdraw the brand, which violates the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin (DOCa).
VIDEO: The DOCa Rioja will file an appeal for reinstatement against Viñedos de Álava:
PNV and EH Bildu denounce Viñedos de Álava’s politicization when it responds to an “economic decision”. PSE-EE considers this “adventure” as “outrageous” for the PP+Cs to create a “political operation” and Elkarrekin Podemos-IU says it should be respected.
VIDEO: The Government of Spain supports the exclusivity of the vineyards in the DOCa Rioja:
JANUARY 2022
The European Union will not approve ‘Viñedos de Álava’ if it does not receive the support of the Spanish government
Joao Onofre, member of the Agriculture Directorate of the European Commission, has assured in Logroño that the European Union will not approve the creation of the protected designation of origin ‘Viñedos de Álava-Arabako mahastiak’ without the prior authorization of the Government of Spainwhich it currently does not have.
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Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
