Rioja, the wine-producing area in northeastern Spain, makes Spain's most famous and celebrated red wines. There is a lot that goes into the making of a classic Rioja. The slight differences in production can mean the difference between a good bottle of Rioja and a transcendent one.
Instructions
1. Understand the land where the grapes are grown. The area of Rioja is isolated from the sea by a vast mountain chain called the Cantabrian Mountains. This shields the area from harsh winds. The area is split into three sub-areas: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. The best wines come from grapes grown in the Alta and Alavesa areas.
2. Understand the grapes that make up the wine. While white wines are produced in Rioja, they are not the star of the show in this region. Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca and Viura make interesting and full bodied whites, but many aren't even exported. It is the red Riojas that really shine here. The main grape that is used in red Rioja is Temperanillo. The second most important grape used in blending in red Riojas is Garnacha, also known as Grenache in France and elsewhere. Mazuelo (also known as Carignan in France and elsewhere) and Graciano are minor grapes occasionally used in blending, as well.
3. Understand the different classifications of Rioja. There are three classifications of Rioja: Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. These classifications have to do with two things, mainly: length of aging and quality of the grapes. A Crianza is the youngest wine made from the widest cross section of grapes. Open a bottle of Crianza, pour a small bit, smell it and take a sip. The nose will be full of fruit and vanilla and the palate will most likely burst with spice and ripe red cherry flavors. The Reserva Rioja is made from a more select collection of grapes and is aged a bit longer, both in the cask and after bottling. Open, pour, smell and taste this wine. This will be more subtle on the nose and most likely a bit earthier, and on the palate will have notes reminiscent of leather and pepper. Gran Reserva Rioja is only made in extremely exceptional years from just a handful of grapes that pass muster and is aged for a long time in both the cask and bottle before release. When you smell and taste this wine, it will be delicate and refined. The fruit will be very subdued and notes of smoke, pencil lead and tobacco will very likely be present.
4. Understanding pair these wines with food. Red Riojas are great food wines. When pairing a Crianza, think spice. The wine itself has a good deal of pepper, so match it with a dish that showcases Spanish Chorizo. When pairing a Reserva, the focus may be more on a subtler dish that features a piece of beef. A flank steak with chimichurri sauce would pair up well with a Reserva, the tannin of the wine cutting through the fattiness of the meat like a knife. With a Gran Reserva, the delicate flavors of earth must be matched with something as delicate and earthy on your plate. Sauteed veal kidneys with shaved black truffle on top would be the decadent yet subtle match for the equally decadent and subtle Gran Reserva.
Tags: Gran Reserva, also known, both cask, classifications Rioja, decadent subtle