7 Outstanding Red Wines From Rioja to Buy Right Now
Rioja is the most popular Spanish region for wine in the United States, accounting for almost 25 percent of wines imported to our shores from the Iberian nation. Its star grape is Tempranillo, an early-ripening variety that grows throughout the country but is practically synonymous with Rioja. It is often blended with small amounts of Graciano and Mazuelo and then aged in oak to produce wine with rich flavors of blackberry, black cherry, cassis, dark chocolate, vanilla, and baking spices.
While Gran Reservas sit at the top of the aging and quality spectrum, we are seeing more and more wines that do not bear the Gran Reserva designation but are matured in oak barrels, often a combination of French and American, and then receive further bottle aging to mellow out the tannins for perfect drinkability before release. Top tier Rioja wines are ideal alongside porterhouse, strip steak, or ribeye, but don’t be afraid to pair yours with pork tenderloin, spareribs, or stuffed Portobello mushrooms. Here are seven to look for now.
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