The Phylloxera vine louse came to Europe from America and wreaked havoc on the wine industry. The solution was to graft the European vines onto American root stock, which were resistent to the devastating effects of its infestation. However there are some place in Europe, where the combination of soil, climate, geography etc, just didn't suit the insect. In these areas there is simply no need for grafting and the wines can just grow on its own roots. Some of these are very famous wines, such as Bollinger Vielle Vignes Champagne and Quinta du Noval Nacional Port, with an elevated price to match. However, there are other less well-known places which also did not suit Phylloxera, and where self-rooted wines can also be produced. One such place is a certain area in rioja where this wine was produced. Whether ungrafted vines produce better wines is an unsettled question, but you can always seek out a bottle of something like this and experience ungrafted wine without paying an arm and a leg.
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