La Rioja: wine tasting
Rioja’s Cathedrals of Wine: Discovering the true diversity of Spain’s Rioja wines is a pleasure not to be missed
Probably the most iconic of all Spanish wines, Rioja, is enjoying a renaissance thanks to modern wine making techniques, and innovative approaches from some of the region’s wine makers.
Cathedrals
The ‘Camino de Santiago’ or St. James’ Way as it is also known, is probably one of the most ancient routes that cuts through the region. Taken by pilgrims over the centuries, the route passes through beautiful mediaeval cathedral cities.
Yet now there is a new route bringing visitors on a new pilgrimage; the
wines tasting routes of Rioja that take in modern cathedrals of wine; architect designed wineries and bodegas that attract almost as much attention as the wines made within their climate controlled walls.
Rioja
Rioja is a ‘Denominación de Origen Calificada’ wine, matured in oak barrels from France and the USA, although some wineries are experimenting with great success with oak barrels from Hungary. Although Rioja has always traditionally been defined by its rich oak flavour, now one finds that the wines are more modern - reflecting the palate of a new generation of international buyers. ‘Tempranillo’, the well known Spanish grape is the basis of Rioja wine, blended with small amounts of ‘Graciano’ and ‘Mazuelo’. In addition, with showing innovation by the region’s wine makers, one also sees the use of ‘Merlot’ and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’.
Tasting
The choice of wineries in Rioja which offer tastings is immense, but no visit to this fine wine making area should miss the striking wineries of ‘Marqués de Riscal’ and ‘YSIOS’, both near the town of Elciego. Both boast architect designed wineries that in themselves are worthy of a visit for anyone interested in design, architecture and culture.
Marqués de Riscal
Guests can enjoy a complete tour of the winery; discover the historical development of the site from the mid 19th century to the 21st century; catch a glimpse of some of the wineries most ancient wines still lying under years of dust in the cool cellars; see the state-of-the-art new computer controlled winery; and of course finish off with tastings of some Marqués de Riscal wines.
Their classic 2006 Reserva is a good choice, made predominantly from grapes from tempranillo vines over 15 years’ old, grown in the best clay-limestone soils of the Rioja Alavesa. This variety withstands oak- and bottle- ageing well thanks to its good balance of acidity and fine tannin. A small amount of Graciano and Mazuelo grapes are also used, (not more than 10%) to provide crispness and a lively colour.
This reserva spends around two years in American-oak casks, producing a wine which corresponds to the classic Rioja style: fresh, fine, elegant and very suitable for laying down for many years. Before release for sale it spends a minimum of one year rounding off in the bottle.
And one must not forget the iconic hotel, Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, designed by Frank O. Gehry; together with its stunning wellness centre, the Spa Vinothérapie® Caudalie Marqués de Riscal.
The hotel’s waves of titanium cladding are intended to reflect the signature colours of Marqués de Riscal: the rich red of the wine; the elegant gold of the iconic Rioja mesh on the Riscal bottles, and silver representing the top of each bottle. In the restaurant one can enjoy a multi-course tasting menu with various white and red Rioja wines.
Ysios
The Bodegas Ysios was amongst the first of the Rioja wine makers to commission a world-class architect to create a signature building. The Santiago Calatrava designed building is inspired by the shape of oak wine barrels. The 75 hectares of vineyards owned by Bodegas Ysios are set in the highest area of La Rioja, stretching across the localities of Laguardia and El Villar.
Tasting wines here is a true privilege; with a choice of fine premium reservas that are made from 100% Tempranillo, the Riojan variety par excellence. One of the most characteristic features of their vineyards is the small plot size, with plots of land ranging from 0.5 to 4 hectares, enabling the wine maker to provide specific care to each vineyard, according to its own individual character. For professional tasters, there is also the opportunity to take a ‘Master Class’, tasting wines that are still undergoing aging.
Interestingly, the bodega’s name pays specific homage to Isis and Osiris, two Egyptian gods closely related to the world of wine.
Rioja; a place of pilgrimage for those that wish to worship in the cathedrals of wine making, paying homage to one of Europe’s greatest wines.
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