The first of three tasting articles devoted to Ferran's amazing finds among the lesser-known producers of Rioja. See also Rioja's secret wines for an overview, and Secret riojas – Zones 3 and 4 and Zones 5 to 8.
Note that the borders of the zones are not watertight but rather diffuse. This fact causes the main wine city of Haro to be in both Zone 1 and Zone 2. I have tried to place Haro's wineries in one or another zone depending on where most of its vineyards are located.
A description of each zone is followed by tasting...