Miranda Long

wine Tasting Notes: A Journey Through Rioja & Ribera del Duero

This article details a wine tasting journey through the Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions of Spain, focusing on several key wineries and their offerings. here’s a breakdown of the featured wineries and wines:

1. Martínez Lacuesta (Rioja)

* Style: Elegant, balanced Rioja wiht red/dried fruit notes, silky tannins, and subtle oak. Offers both age-worthy and approachable wines.
* Key Wines:

* Hinia: Classic Rioja blend (Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo), 30 months in oak, €22/bottle.
* Hinia Blanco Viura (2021 Reserve): Magnum format, €120.
* Campeador Rioja Reserve 2019: Powerful, silky blend (50% Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha), €21.50.
* 2012 Family Collection: Long-aged, vibrant, with ageing potential, €39.
* Innovation: Reviving vermouth production in Rioja, capitalizing on cocktail culture.

2. Remírez de Ganuza (Rioja Alavesa)

* Style: Innovative and characterful, high-quality, terroir-driven wines. Obsessive vineyard management and tailored barrel aging.
* Key Wines:

* Coquette: Single vineyard parcel (Tempranillo & Graciano, 1975 vines), complex flavors, elegant finish, €35.
* Grand Reserva 2015: 38 months in barrel, 7 years in bottle, black cherry aromas, velvety tannins, hints of vanilla/balsamic, €100.
* Remírez de Ganuza Reserva 2017: Flagship wine, made from selected grape bunches, intense, pure fruit, cocoa, tobacco, coffee notes, silken tannins, cellar-worthy, €58.
* Late Night 2019: Innovative pressing technique using water balloon pressure to avoid oxidation, €85.
* Innovation: Patented pressing technique, dedication to vineyard excellence.

3. Bodegas Pinea (Ribera del Duero)

* Style: Artisanal,fresh,and stylish Ribera del Duero wines,blending elegance with terroir power. Wines often sell out pre-release.
* Key Wines:

* Pinea 2020: Rich cherry/raspberry notes, thick tannins, creamy spiced finish, €150.
* Pinea (Flagship): Showcases Ribera’s power.
* ‘17’: Celebrates a perfect harvest.
* “Soul” & “Cord” Collection: Experimentation with white, red, and rosé wines.

4. Pago de carraovejas / Alma Carraovejas (Ribera del Duero)

* Style: Concentrated yet fresh Tempranillo-led wines, precision winemaking via gravity-fed processes and triple selection. Transformed into a wine & gastronomy group with Michelin-starred restaurant and extensive wine cellar.
* Key Wines:

* hare Hill: Single vineyard Tempranillo plot (1994), noted for special quality.

Overall Trends & Themes:

* Innovation: All wineries demonstrate innovation, from vermouth revival to unique pressing techniques and exploring new varietals/styles.
* Terroir Focus: Emphasis on vineyard management and expressing the unique character of the region.
* Quality & Prestige: Many wines have received high scores from wine critics.
* Tourism & Hospitality: Pago de Carraovejas exemplifies the trend of combining wine production with high-end gastronomy and hospitality.
* Blending Tradition with Modernity: All wineries appear to be paying respect to the winemaking traditions of their regions while also embracing new techniques and approaches.

How is Spanish wine evolving from Rioja tradition to avant‑garde innovation?

Uncorking Spain: A Journey from Rioja Tradition to Avant‑Garde Innovation

Spain’s wine scene is experiencing a renaissance. For decades, Rioja and Ribera del Duero dominated the narrative, and rightfully so. But a new wave of winemakers is challenging conventions, pushing boundaries, and redefining what Spanish wine can be. This isn’t a rejection of tradition, but rather an evolution – a fascinating interplay between deeply rooted heritage and bold experimentation.

The Pillars of Tradition: Rioja & Ribera del Duero

Let’s start wiht the foundations.Rioja, arguably spain’s most famous wine region, is steeped in history. its classification system – Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva – dictates aging requirements, influencing the style and complexity of the wines.

* Tempranillo: the star grape of Rioja, known for its cherry, plum, and tobacco notes.

* Oak Influence: Conventional Rioja relies heavily on American oak, imparting vanilla and spice aromas.

* Sub-Regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental each offer unique terroir expressions.

Ribera del Duero, located further inland, boasts a continental climate and is renowned for its powerful, age-worthy wines.

* tinta Fina (Tempranillo): Here, Tempranillo is known as Tinta fina, producing wines with concentrated fruit and firm tannins.

* Altitude: Vineyards planted at high altitudes benefit from cool nights, preserving acidity and enhancing flavor progress.

* Modernization: While tradition remains vital, many Ribera del Duero producers have embraced modern winemaking techniques.

These regions continue to refine thier craft, producing world-class wines that represent the pinnacle of Spanish winemaking. Though, the story doesn’t end there.

Beyond the Classics: Emerging Regions & Grape Varieties

The last two decades have witnessed a surge in interest in lesser-known Spanish wine regions. Winemakers are rediscovering indigenous grape varieties and exploring unique terroirs.

* Priorat: Located in Catalonia, Priorat is known for its steep, slate-rich vineyards and powerful garnacha and Cariñena-based wines. Its wines are often compared to those of the Rhône Valley.

* bierzo: Situated in the northwest of Spain, bierzo is gaining recognition for its Mencía wines – elegant, aromatic reds with luminous acidity.

* Txakolina (Getaria): From the Basque Country, Txakolina is a slightly sparkling, high-acid white wine, traditionally poured from a height to release its effervescence.

* canary Islands: Volcanic soils and unique microclimates produce wines with a distinctive mineral character. Listán Negro and Listán Blanco are key varieties.

* Galicia: Albariño reigns supreme here, producing crisp, aromatic white wines perfect with seafood.

This exploration of diverse regions and grapes is injecting new energy and excitement into the Spanish wine landscape.

The Rise of Natural Wine & Minimal Intervention

A growing number of Spanish winemakers are embracing natural wine principles – minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery. This means:

1. organic & Biodynamic Farming: Avoiding synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
2. Native Yeasts: Relying on naturally occurring yeasts for fermentation.
3. No Additives: Minimizing or eliminating the use of additives like sulfites.
4. Unfined & Unfiltered: Allowing wines to remain in their natural state.

This approach aims to create wines that are more expressive of their terroir and reflect the true character of the grapes. While not without its challenges,the natural wine movement is gaining momentum in Spain,attracting a new generation of wine drinkers.

Innovation in the Winery: A modern Approach

Alongside the natural wine movement, many Spanish wineries are adopting innovative techniques to improve wine quality and sustainability.

* Precision Viticulture: Utilizing technology like drones and sensors to monitor vineyard conditions and optimize grape growing.

* Concrete Eggs & Amphorae: Experimenting with choice fermentation and aging vessels to soften tannins and enhance complexity.

* Sustainable Practices: Implementing water conservation measures, reducing energy consumption, and promoting biodiversity.

* Blending Innovation: Combining traditional grape varieties with international ones to create unique and compelling blends.

A prime example is the work being done in the penedès region,where producers are pioneering sustainable viticulture and exploring new sparkling wine styles beyond Cava.

A Case Study: Álvaro Palacios & Priorat’s Revival

Álvaro Palacios is often credited with spearheading the revival of Priorat. Recognizing the potential of the region’s ancient vineyards and slate soils, he invested heavily in the area in the late 1990s. His wines, such as L’Ermita and Finca Dofí, quickly gained international acclaim, putting Priorat on the map and inspiring a new generation of winemakers. This success story demonstrates the power of vision, dedication, and a commitment to quality.

Practical Tips for Exploring Spanish Wine

* Don’t be afraid to experiment: Step outside of Rioja and Ribera del Duero and