Etikettarkiv: Rioja

Spanish red wines

Beronia Rioja 2013 is ok but slightly sour

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In Spain, in the Rioja region (North, on the River Ebro) there are three main areas – Rioja Alta is the larger area and this is where Bodegas Beronia is situated. The winery was built in 1973, and the grape varieties found are Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Viura. From the beginning the owners have had a big interest for quality and ecology.

The ecological Beronia Rioja 2013 is made of 100% Tempranillo, the typical Rioja grape variety. On the nose it has the typical dill and dark cherries, with some oak as well as spice.

On the palate the wine also expresses some typical Rioja features – like dark cherries, oak and vanilla – however the finish somehow is too sour and there is too much acidity lingering in the mouth when you have tasted it. This is the main reason why for me this is a wine that is OK – but does not get higher rating than 79 points. The alcohol level is 13,5%.

The food to combine this wine with would be especially lamb and red meat.

You can buy Beronia Rioja at Systembolaget in Sweden (nr 12126) at 94 SEK.

Beronia

Spanish red wines

Easy to drink Organic Azabache Rioja

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Spain also has a climate well suited for organic wines, and now I have tried the Azabache Rioja Crianza 2011 DOC (Denominación de Origen Calificada) – which can be bought at Systembolaget in Sweden for the price of 79 SEK (nr 2708). Considering both its price and its quite typical Rioja taste I give it 74 points!

In Rioja in Spain there have been vineyards for several thousand years, and after the phylloxera (vine pest) came to France in the 1870s many French wine growers moved southwards to Spain. Rioja was the first region to gain DOCa status, and lies on the river Ebro. There are 3 sub-regions, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Baja. Viñedos de Aldeanueva is situated on the high slopes of the Mount Yerga. To qualify for the Crianza category in Spain, red wines must be aged for at least 24 months, of which 12 must be spent in small oak barrels for Rioja red wines.

This wine is made of 60% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha and 10% Graciano. Tempranillo is Spain’s premier black grape variety, and has thick skin and is natutally low in acidity. Garnacha is the Spanish name for Grenache. Graciano is starting to rise again, and is used especially in the finest wines in Rioja to add powerful black fruit aromas, acidity and tannins.

On the nose of this wine you find the so typical ’Rioja dill character’, as well as quite intense notes of dark cherries, spices and herbs. You can also sense the oak character (12 months in French and American oak barrels).

On the palate you sense dark cherries and plums, dill again, some spices, chocolate and oak. It has quite a long finish with mature fruit. The alcohol level is 14%.

This wine I would say is good with tasty meat dishes of lamb and pork, but also game and matured cheeses.

Well worth its price!! 🙂

azabache