THERE ARE SEVEN MAIN TRADITIONAL GRAPE VARIETIES authorised by the Rioja D.O.C. Among the red varieties, we would highlight the Tempranillo grape, the premier grape, not only in the Rioja region but in Spanish viniculture in general. This grape is autochthonous to this zone and produces fine elegant wines which age excellently. Garnacha, representative of the Rioja Baja produces structured, full bodied and robust wines which tend to have a floral fragrance. Graciano and Mazuelo are less common varieties, that impart aroma and freshness to the coupages in which they are included. Among the white varieties,Viura -also called macabeo- stands out, and provides structure and fruit to Rioja white wines, and is also well suited for crianzas, accompanied by the less common varieties Malvasia and Garnacha blanca.