A Riojan debate

[jasmudger]

I read (decanter magazine i think) that there is still an ongoing debarkle over the actual stance of Rioja. The bottom line of the debate was 'is Rioja quantity (these days) not quality?'

I would of shrugged this off, and tried to.... unfortunately over a bitter difficult effort by Faustino, their number 7. I know you guys will say you can get great Rioja and poor Rioja but I'm starting to think (& taste) that the latter is becoming more dominant.

I was in La Rioja only a month ago, and, obviously the wine was splendid. But export is another story - and I'm seeing more and more tinto and vino joven on our shelves that just dont cut the mustard like Faustino 7. Are the scales tipping Rioja to quantity?

Jim