My Food and Wine Trip to Spain’s Rioja Region
I recently returned from a 12 day tour of Spain. We began our tour in Barcelona. From there we traveled north to San Sebastian (a foodie’s playground), and then on through the well known Rioja wine region. I could type pages and pages about the delicious Spanish dishes we sampled throughout our tour, but for this post I will focus on the WINE.
Cava…The Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine is made all over the world. There are three regions of Europe well known for sparkling wine. Champagne in France, Prosecco in Italy, and Cava in Spain. Just outside Barcelona, we toured Vilarnau, a vineyard and winery known for its delicious Cava. At Vilarnau, they use the traditional method of making this famous sparkling wine, which is both complicated and time consuming. The extra attention given to the process definitely pays off. The end product is a dry, acidic wine with fresh fruit on the nose and crisp minerality on the palate.
These bottles of Cava are currently undergoing their secondary fermentation in the bottle. Bottles are capped to prevent carbon dioxide from escaping.
Bottles are then inverted to allow the sediment to settle into the neck of the bottle. Bottles are turned regularly throughout each day. In the past this was done by hand. Today there are large machines that systematically rotate the bottles on a timer.
The sediment is collecting in the neck of the bottle. It will soon be frozen, removed from the bottle, and the bottle will be corked.
This bubbly pairs beautifully with a variety of mild to medium cheeses. You might even try it with a gorgonzola or a mild blue cheese. Grab a bottle of Cava for an afternoon picnic, a day at the pool with friends, or as an aperitif for any family get together. It should be served well chilled. Place it in a bucket with some ice and water and it will be ready to serve in 15-20 minutes. Add some salt to your salt and water mix to speed up the chilling process.
*Do you know how to easily (and safely) open a bottle of sparkling?
- Remove the foil cap.
- Unscrew the metal cage but leave it on the bottle.
- Place your right hand firmly over the cage and the cork (thumb on top of the cork).
- Twist the bottle (not the cork) with your left hand. The cork will easily release.
Verdejo and Albarino…The White Wines
Spain produces some delicious and well known white wines. The most popular grape varietals are Albarino and Verdejo. I sampled several from a variety of regions and wineries. They were all very good and generally quite similar. This is fantastic if you are branching out and exploring new wines because it makes the selection process much easier. If you reach for a bottle of Spanish Verdejo or Albarino, you are going to get a dry, fresh, white wine with medium to high acidity, fruit notes of citrus and peach, with a light crisp finish.
For new wine drinkers, I would describe these wines as something in between a Pinot Grigio and a Sauvignon Blanc. They have a bit more structure and “personality” than a Pinot Grigio, but less acidity and “in your face” citrus than a Sauvignon Blanc. I really enjoy the minerality the Verdejo and Albarino wines offer thanks to that fabulous Spanish soil. Pair these wines with salad, light fish, or great friends!
Tempranillo and Garnacha…The Red Wines
The Rioja Region…Bilbao to Ribera del Duero! Oh my goodness. I cannot say enough about the Spanish Rioja region. Old vines, traditional methods, sustainability, clean and organic, passion…all the things I love. From small 20 barrel wineries, to huge 2000+ barrel producers, these winemakers take pride in their product. This region produces a variety of dry red wines. If you like Sangiovese (Chianti), Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, you should consider giving Rioja wines a try! They are approachable and affordable.
Rioja Wines
Rioja is the name of a region in Spain. Rioja wine is going to be primarily Tempranillo grapes, Garnacha (Grenache) grapes, or a blend of both. It is likely they will also add some more local varietals into the mix such as Carignan and Graciano.
The next time you visit your favorite wine shop, head toward the Spanish wines and look for labels that say Rioja. Within the Rioja region you will see the following descriptions: Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. Let me explain the difference between these three specifications. Hint: it’s all about aging and government regulation…a stamp of authenticity.
Red Crianza
Crianza is red wine that has been aged at least 2 years total, with a minimum of 12 months in oak and the remainder in bottles. This wine is light, fruity, and young. You will get fresh fruit notes on the nose, fresh acidity and medium body on the palate with very little if any oaky notes or flavors. Think Pinot Noir or young Sangiovese. Crianza pairs well with charcuterie, as well as chicken or pork with roasted vegetables.
Red Riserva
Reserva is red wine that has been aged at least 3 years total, with a minimum of 1 year in barrels and a minimum of 6 months in bottles. Because this wine has spent more time aging, you will get dark fruits such as cherry and blackberry on the nose as well as subtle oak notes. On the palate you will notice slightly less acidity and fuller body. This wine may feel drier to those who prefer sweet, fruit forward wines. It pairs beautifully with stew, pork or beef tenderloin, a portobello sandwich, or a juicy cheeseburger.
Red Gran Riserva
Gran Riserva red wines have been aged a minimum of 5 years total with at least 2 years in oak and 2 years in bottle. Time is money, so these wines are generally a bit pricier. If you like dry, earthy, full bodied wine with obvious oaky notes of spice, chocolate, coffee, and spoke you will fall in love with Rioja Gran Riserva. You can also expect rich, deep dark fruits on the nose with enough acidity on the palate to balance out the body and tannins. Pair Gran Riserva with a hard cheese like Gruyere, aged Cheddar, or Parmesan…or of course a nice steak.
Adios Espana
Our Spain trip from Barcelona to Madrid was packed full of amazing food and wine experiences. The wine is clean, approachable, and affordable. Next time you’re searching for something new to try, grab a Spanish wine with a green Rioja stamp like the one picture below. You will NOT be disappointed!
