Rioja Archives - It Must Be Wine O'clock

A very appealing Rioja to brighten up your weekend

Baron de Ley Reserva 2018, Rioja (Spain)

Tempranillo is Spain’s principal black grape variety and is grown widely throughout northern and central Spain. It is particularly associated with wines from Rioja, located in the Ebro River Valley, around 60 miles south of Bilbao.

This is a very appealing Rioja. It is a smooth well-balanced wine, with medium acidity, medium tannins and a lengthy finish.

Deep ruby in colour, it has aromas of plum, blackcurrant and cloves on the nose, and plum, cherry and chocolate on the palate. The barrel-ageing gives the wine additional characters of vanilla and oak.

A wine which can be enjoyed by itself but which also goes well with lamb, duck or a roast vegetable dish.

Available from Co-op (£12.75)

Ramón Bilbao Crianza Rioja 2016 (Tempranillo)

This deep red Tempranillo wine from the Rioja region of Spain is a well-balanced wine of medium intensity and medium acidity. Aromas of blackberry and cherry together with sweet spices and vanilla on the nose; and intense flavours of black fruits, vanilla and spices, with hints of hazelnut and liquorice, on the palate. It’s a smooth wine with medium tannins which pairs well with red meats, sausage dishes and casseroles. Also, goes perfectly with a hard cheese.

Red wines for autumn

As the temperature starts to drop and the nights draw in, here are a few suggestions for red wines for autumn, to enjoy along with those casseroles, pies and stews as we look towards Halloween and Bonfire Night …

Ramón Bilbao Crianza Rioja 2016 (Tempranillo)

Stump Jump Shiraz 17 d’Arenberg

This is a full-bodied deep ruby wine from McLaren Vale, Australia. Minty and fragrant on the nose, and concentrated with lashings of pronounced black fruit as well as liquorice and sweet spice on the palate. A smooth wine with a nice long finish. It works well with your Sunday roast, and is a good match for a steak and pepper sauce or something similarly robust.

Chianti Classico 15 Campomaggio

A medium-bodied Sangiovese wine with high acidity and medium tannins. It has quite intense flavours of strawberry, plum, and blackberry with a hint of cedar and toasted wood. A balanced wine with a medium finish. An appealing wine, a good all-rounder, which is ideal for a big casserole or roast.