AN INTRODUCTION TO RIOJA
Rioja has been producing wine since the Roman period. Geographically closer to Bordeaux than Madrid, Rioja's fame and quality was hugely driven by French influence. In 1858, the Marquis de Riscal, who was exiled to Bordeaux for much of his life, brought Jean Pineau from Château Lanessan to Rioja to teach local producers Bordeaux-style winemaking. This marked the beginning of a transformational period in Rioja’s wine making story.
In the late 1800s, the devastating phylloxera outbreak hit France. Bordeaux's demand for wines from Rioja grew, as their own production suffered, importing huge volumes of Spanish wines to feed the demands of the French. This boost in Rioja’s economy led to significant investments in the region, with famous wineries like La Rioja Alta, CVNE, and Bodegas Lopez de Heredia emerging.
French oenologists, negociants and wine makers introduced practices like barrique ageing, destemming, and smaller fermentation tanks. Even today, Rioja wines are bottled in Bordeaux or Burgundy bottles, reflecting the historical influence.
Eventually phylloxera hit Rioja, devastating much of the production. The Spanish turned away from using French Oak, in favour of cheaper American oak barrels. This style has become synonymous with traditional wines from the region, which is described as ‘brick red’, often spicy and with balsamic undertones. Garnacha was also introduced post phylloxera, which has become a dominant grape in the area.
The French influence continues to shape Rioja's wine style, from blends, oak ageing, viticulture and it’s cultural connection. The region's ability to adapt to both opportunities and hardships has made it a unique and diverse wine-producing area.
We've picked out a few of our favourite wines from Rioja in the Marlo range... why don't you try some!
Whilst you read... why not put on our Rioja playlist on Spotify? It's filled with an array of Spanish themed songs that will get you perfectly in the mood for a glass or two. You can listen to the playlist by clicking here.
2019 Viñas de Gain, Artadi
''Our obsession with keeping the vines alive has led us to discover expressions in every vineyard that express the personality of each terroir. This is made possible thanks to the natural attributes of these lands and the respectful intervention of those who work them.”
Artadi cultivate a tapestry of 56 hectares of small Tempranillo and Viura vineyards in the villages of Laguardia and Elvillar de Álava. These vineyards have wildy varied terroir, situated at the base of the Sierra de Toloño, within the core of the Sonsierra Alavesa region. The Lacalle y Laorden family have farmed the land since 1985, and work tirelessly to keep the vines prospering, with zero chemical intervention, and relying solely on the lessons learnt by their ancestors in the region. They delicately balance a unique combination of chalky soils, alluvial gravel, silt and clay, along with their glorious microclimate, which is influenced by Continental, Atlantic, and Mediterranean elements.
Viñas De Gain, 2019 is Artadi’s village wine, made from Tempranillo and grown on twenty to thirty year-old selected vineyards located in and around the village of Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa. The grapes are handpicked, certified organic and are aged in a combination of steel vats and aged French oak. This wine has a youthful vibrancy, yet at the same time is mellow and alluring with enduring tannins. Hints of chocolate, licourice, and black fruits.
FOOD PAIRING: Jamie Oliver Seared Steak & Red Chimichurri
2012 Viña Tondonia Reserva, Lopez De Heredia
R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, commonly referred to as López de Heredia, is one of the original three pioneering wineries in Rioja. Remarkably, it remains under the stewardship of the descendants of its founder, Don Rafael López de Heredia, who hailed from Chile with Basque roots. He discovered the region during the height of the phylloxera epidemic in the late 19th Century, when the French vines were devastated and people were looking for alternative places to grow vines. He discovered Haro, and quickly realised the wine making potential of the region. His first vineyard was Viña Tondonia, a beautiful spot on the right bank of the river Ebro, the very best spot in Rioja Alta for growing grapes and still the site for Lopez de Heredia’s very finest wines. This bodega is steeped in history, and its Neo-Gothic towers that dominate Haro's skyline symbolize its prominent status in Rioja and its steadfast commitment to traditional methods. Choosing French oak over new oak and extended ageing periods exemplifies their dedication to tradition. This unwavering focus on heritage has garnered numerous accolades, making it one of the most renowned wines globally.
The year 2012 proved to be an exceptional vintage in Rioja, Its deep, rich brick color with a subtle amber edge hints at its impressive depth. The aroma is concentrated and robust, featuring a blend of black and red fruits with subtle hints of licorice. Remarkably, the wine maintains a striking purity, while traditional 'Tondonia' characteristics emerge, such as notes of aged ham, leather, vanilla, and a touch of nutmeg spice, providing an exquisite balance to the intense fruit flavours.
FOOD PAIRING: Nigel Slater's Roast Pork and Pumpkin
2015 Rioja Gran Reserva, Marques de Murrieta
The Marqués de Murrieta winery is intrinsically linked with Rioja’s wine making history.
Don Luciano Murrieta, applied techniques learnt in Bordeaux, and in 1852 produced an inaugural wine from the region. He was driven by a desire to make an exquisite wine with exceptional ageing potential and to introduce it to international markets. He exported his first vintage, including the legendary 1852, to destinations such as Mexico and Cuba, therefore pioneering the export of fine wines from Rioja.
This wine puts the pow into powerful. With 27 months of ageing in American oak it delivers everything you would want from a Gran Reserva. Marques de Murrieta is a family owned vineyard with an impressive estate and visionary ideas situated in the heart of Rioja Alta. The grapes are manually harvested for optimum results. One that you won't want to put down.
FOOD PAIRING: Red Mullet and Cauliflower Cream with Black Truffle
2017 Vina Ardanza Reserva, Rioja Alta
The 2017 incarnation of Viña Ardanza is mainly Tempranillo with a good dollop (20%) of Garnacha and is an extremely approachable and enjoyable bottle of wine. It's aged in American oak barrels, imparting flavours of red fruit, vanilla, and spice, with a well-balanced acidity and smooth tannins. Consistently praised for its elegance and aging potential, Viña Ardanza is celebrated as a classic representation of traditional Rioja winemaking.
FOOD PAIRING: Minty Lamb Kebabs