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Rioja Wine

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The Rioja region of Spain produces one of the world’s finest, and most long lived wines: Rioja. Rioja's renaissance, in the latter half of the 19th century, was a direct result of the phyloxera bug that decimated vineyards around the globe. While English merchants came to Rioja to replace their French imports, the wines here actually have much more in common with Chianti. Both wines are blend relying heavily on one grape, in this case Tempranillo. Like Chianti’s Sangiovese, Tempranillo usually produces a relatively high acid wine of medium to medium-full body. Tempranillo tends to produce wines with a dusty, leathery edge to their raspberry and blackberry fruit tones. With additions of Graciano, Mazuela and Grancha the wines of Rioja can take on additional layers of flavor and aroma but the tradition of extended oak aging for Rioja's great wines contributes an even more obvious imprint. While the Spaniards have traditionally been a fan of the strong vanilla and coconut component that American oak Read more »

Win a Trip to Rioja, Spain!

Did you know that Tempranillo is Rioja’s most widely-planted grape? Grown around the world, Rioja Tempranillo produces wines boasting a soft fruitiness when young and more velvety characteristics when aged.

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Rioja Tapas Sweeps

Win a trip for two to London (July 12-16) to experience Tapas Fantasticas, a glorious weekend of Rioja Wine paired with great food, workshops and fellow enthusiasts like you! Enter the Rioja Tapas Fantasticas sweepstakes and you may soon be enjoying Sp...

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Want to Party Like You’re in Rioja?

Some of you might have seen some of our live coverage from Tapas Fantasticas this past August. If you haven’t, I want to fill you in on the details of this awesome event and the opportunity for you to help us bring Tapas Fantasticas to the U.S. next year!

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Rioja Reserva

With the holidays fast approaching, this is the time of the year when most of us begin to look for wines that are a cut above our average, wines that deliver something special yet hopefully do not break the bank while doing so. There are many possible ...

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Tapas Fantasticas 2012 - Day Two

Day two saw better weather and bigger crowds at Tapas Fantasticas 2012. Check out all of the happenings in our montage video, then dive in for some interesting and exciting interviews with some of Rioja's finest ambassadors.

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Tapas Fantasticas 2012 - Day One

Interviews with some of Rioja's greatest winemakers, plus a fabulous sneak peak of what might be coming stateside in 2013. Don't forget to RSVP and support our effort to bring Tapas Fantasticas 2013 to the United States! Join the party!

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Tapas Fantasticas

Join Snooth and Rioja Tapas Fantasticas in the shadow of London’s Tower Bridge on Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15, to taste wine from 40 of Rioja’s most prestigious wineries, sample mouth-watering Spanish cuisine from some of London’s top tapas ...

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PVA Blogger Seminar Series

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Spain and Portugal Wine Pairings

It’s funny how people like to stay within their comfort zones. When most of us get into wine, it’s usually a question of French or Italian. As we explore deeper, we are introduced to the wines of Australia, Germany, Napa Valley and Spain. Take it a ste...

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Rose Virtual Tasting Page

Welcome to our next Virtual Tasting: Rosé! When: Wednesday June 20, 2012 - 8:30 p.m. EST Where: http://www.snooth.com/virtual-tasting/video/rose-grand-tasting-initiative-virtual-tasting/ This time around we'll be tasting a variety of wines from some...

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Marqués de Riscal Tempranillo Blend Rioja Reserva (2007)

Winery: Marqués de Riscal
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alavesa
Varietal: Graciano , Carignan , Tempranillo
Type: Table Wines
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Erica Landin

An excellent classically styled rioja, with beautiful balance and acidity paired with nice black and red fruit. The oak is well integrated. This producer keeps a high level across the board, from "cheap" to super premium and are a good bet if you want ...

Marqués de Cáceres Rosé Blend Rioja Rosado (2007)

Winery: Bodegas Marques de Caceres
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alta
Varietal: tempranillo
Type: Table Wines
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calywa

Great wine at a good price. I picked up a bottle for $10. Would go wonderfully with a steak or other similarly hearty dish. Does not taste good with garlic though.

Viña Gravonia (2003)

Winery: R. Lopez de Heredia
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alta
Varietal: Macabeo
Type: Table Wines
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Mary Margaret McCamic

Firm stone fruit notes, earth, and mineral. Medium-bodied with a pleasant kick of acidity on the palate. Very good now, and I'd love to see how it mellows over the next year.

Cune Monopole Unoaked Blanco (2008)

Winery: Compania Vinicola Norte de Espana
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alta
Varietal: Macabeo
Type: Table Wines
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JonDerry

Agree with GDP's rating for the most part, however this is an 89-91 point white for me. Maybe I just need to try more whites, but this is a beauty at a bargain price. Tropical fruits, lemon zest, with a great balance of fruit and acidity.

Bodegas Bilbainas Tempranillo Rioja Viña Zaco (2009)

Winery: Bodegas Bilbainas
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alta
Varietal: tempranillo
Type: Table Wines
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Nicki Gig

traditional vanilla bean, sweeter due to the american oak. bit of cocoa with dark blackberry/raspberry fruit. smooth easy drinking

Bodegas Riojanas Rioja Monte Real Reserva Especial (2004)

Winery: Bodegas Riojanas
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alta
Varietal: tempranillo
Type: Table Wines
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Nicki Gig

dark, rustic aromas, old world classic style, nicely balanced of acid, fruit, and tannins with a little heat on the end. crushed cranberries, dried red fruit, lovely expression of reserva rioja

Ostatu Blanco (2011)

Winery: Bodegas Ostatu
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alavesa
Varietal: Malvasia
Type: Table Wines
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Mary Margaret McCamic

Mostly Viura with some Malvasia. Crisp and clean, with pleasant apple notes and a touch of mineral.

C.U.N.E. Rioja Rosado (2009)

Winery: Compania Vinicola Norte de Espana
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alta
Varietal: Tempranillo
Type: Table Wines
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Bsberlin22

Very nice wine with a BBQ

Roda Roda 1 Reserva (2004)

Winery: Bodegas Roda
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alta
Varietal: tempranillo
Type: Table Wines
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Kirsy

On the nose, cedar wood, cinnamon, dark chocolate, vanilla, some berries, and leather Palate: full body, spices, lots of dark berries, balanced acidity, firm tannins, and a bit of green leaves, Delicious with red meats and strong cheese

Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo Rioja Edición Limitada Crianza (2007)

Winery: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alta
Varietal: tempranillo
Type: Table Wines
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heathbodell

Dark fruit and spice on the nose. A perfectly balanced body with hints of dark cherry and leather. Very delicious wine.

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Baigorri Crianza
Winery: Bodegas Baigorri
Region: Spain » Rioja
Type: Table Wines

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Ricotta Gnocchi with Wild Boar Ragu

Chef De Carlo’s recipe for gnocchi is fantastic with the heady Wild Boar Ragu , but is equally delicious with a simple tomato sauce or a sage brown butter sauce . What to buy: While we tested th... Read more »

Bodegas Beronia Tempranillo Rioja
Winery: Bodegas Beronia
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alta
Type: Table Wines

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Spaghetti Pizza II

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Burgo Viejo Rioja Crianza
Winery: Burgo Viejo
Region: Spain » Rioja
Type: Table Wines

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Mixed-Olive Tapenade

Tapenade, an olive spread native to the South of France, is a lesson in proportions: Too much olive and it overwhelms the other elements; too little and the result is lackluster. Here the olives ba... Read more »

Rivarey Tempranillo
Winery: Bodegas Marques de Caceres
Region: Spain » Rioja
Type: Table Wines

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Black Pepper–Manchego Cheese Puffs

Technically called gougères, these French cheese puffs are normally made by folding lots of Gruyère into choux pastry dough for fluffy, light, cheesy bites. We changed it up by using aged Manchego,... Read more »

Palacios Remondo Tempranillo Blend Rioja Herencia Remondo la Montesa
Winery: Bodegas Palacios Remondo
Region: Spain » Rioja
Type: Table Wines

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Basic Boneless Roasted Leg of Lamb

Gremolata, a mixture of parsley, garlic, and lemon zest, offers heat and fresh herb and citrus flavors to assertive leg of lamb. The best part of this recipe is that putting it all together for a d... Read more »

Bodegas Muriel Rioja Crianza
Winery: Bodegas Muriel
Region: Spain » Rioja
Type: Table Wines

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Korean-Style Beef Tacos

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Dinastia Vivanco Crianza
Winery: Dinastia Vivanco
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alavesa
Type: Table Wines

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Ham and Manchego Sandwiches with Tomato Jam

Notes: Manchego is a firm Spanish sheep's-milk cheese. Make and wrap sandwiches just before packing. Read more »

Conde de Valdema Rioja Crianza
Winery: Bodegas Valdemar
Region: Spain » Rioja
Type: Table Wines

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Southern Barbecued Beef Sandwiches

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Torres Ibericos Rioja
Winery: Soto de Torres
Region: Spain » Rioja
Type: Table Wines

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Recipe: Rigatoni with Shredded Pork in Mustard Cream Sauce | The Kitchn

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Bodegas Lan Rioja Crianza
Winery: Bodegas LAN
Region: Spain » Rioja » Rioja Alta
Type: Table Wines

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Classic Meat Lasagna

Classic meat lasagna shows off its many layers. Make it as tall as your ingredients will allow. Read more »

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89065Gregory Dal Piaz

1978 C.V.N.E. Vina Real Gran Reserva

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1073671Erica Landin

Top 5 wines under 15 USD tasted in Rioja

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178306Nicki Spear

I heart Spain

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455797Kyle Graynor

Easy Drinking Rioja Wines

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103444Rich Tomko

Top Everyday Tempranillos

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Mentor for Rioja Wines

Richard Jennings

Wine writer (and HR exec). I write a weekly column for Huffington Post, and my blog is http://www.RJonWine.com. I have over 34,000 tasting notes on CellarTracker, where I'm the most "favorited" TN author.

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Popular wines made in Rioja under $20

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Varietals Produced in Rioja View all

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    “King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...

  • Grenache

    You’re a member of the ‘Rhône Ranger’ band. Your groupies think you’re ‘hot’, even when you're boozy and "strung out"...

  • Torrontes

    Torrontes is really three closely related grape varieties -- Torrontés Riojano, the most common, Torrontés Sanjuanino...

  • Macabeo

    Macabeo is Spain’s most widely planted grape. From there, it has made its way to southern France’s Roussillon region,...

  • Graciano

    Though it is easily the most interesting and unique red grape in Rioja, its yields are low, it is prone to downy mild...

  • Tempranillo

    History of the grape: Origins of Tempranillo are murky. It could be indigenous to the Spanish countryside, or it coul...

Subregions of Rioja

Popular Wineries in Rioja View all

  • Bodegas Ramón Bilbao

    Bodegas Ramón Bilbao was established in 1924 by wine trader Ramón Bilbao Murga in the Rioja re...

  • Bodegas Beronia

    Bodegas Beronia is a winery in Rioja founded in 1973 by a group from the local gastronomic soci...

  • Bodegas Ondarre,S.A.

    Bodegas Ondarre, founded in 1986, belongs to the Bodegas Olarra Group, one of the most famous nam...

  • Bodegas Baigorri

    "Bodegas Baigorri bases its work on a value of duality and on the xcellence of its products and ...

  • Herederos Del Marques de Riscal

    Wines of the Herederos de Marqués de Riscal has always been a leading and pioneering company in t...

  • Viña Ijalba

    Built in 1991, with a modernist style, it is provided with the best existing technology in the ma...

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