RIOJA – VINTAGE UPDATE

 Just a quick update to the February blog on Riojas. In good years Rioja produces wines that can be aged for 20 years or more. Looking to the first decade of 2000, the 2009 vintage is drinking well already and for something special try 2001, 2004 or 2006.

 2001  drink soon       Fantastic vintage if you can find it

Classic Rioja wines: robust and round with balancing acidity . Reckoned to be the best vintage of the decade.                     

2004  drink soon       Excellent vintage which is still readily available

Well balanced wines with high alcohol and concentrated colour and aromas ideal for ageing.  

2006 drink soon       VG vintage

Good to very good vintage, with a moderate harvest securing good quality fruit and fresh, supple and crisp wines. Look out for some big, long-lived Crianzas.

2007  Variable          Inconsistent vintage with variable quality

Low yielding vintage saved by technical expertise and a long, dry, sunny harvest. Most consistent quality from Rioja Baja, with crisp, well-balanced, elegant wines.

2008 keep                 Good elegant vintage

Ripe, balanced, medium-boded red wines, with bright acidity.                                    

 2009 drink now /keep   VG for Crianzas and Reservas    

Quality is generally high, but high yields meant some early harvesting. A 'useful' vintage from a hot summer, drinking well just now.

 

REGAL RIOJA – THE KING OF SPANISH WINES FEBRUARY 2013

I was recently given a bottle of Campo Viejo Gran Reserva Rioja by a generous friend and at a Burns Supper a Paisley Callants Rotarian mentioned that Rioja was always his first choice. So I thought that I would ring the changes and concentrate on one wine region this month – Rioja, which makes brilliant red wines and is regarded as the King of Spanish wines.

GENERAL INFO

Rioja is widely regarded as the premier wine region of Spain and has been making good quality wines for hundreds of years. It is located in the north of the country and produces medium and full flavoured reds with a hint of vanilla from aging in oak barriques. Most Riojas are made from Tempranillo or a blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes which deliver smooth, dry, medium weight wines with strawberry and raspberry fruits. Rioja goes well with most meats especially lamb. Some Reserva and Gran Reserva wines can provide a much heavier and full flavoured mouthful with a long silky finish. Rioja Alta and Alavesa produce most of the best Reserva and Gran Reserva wines.

Due to aging in both oak and bottle Riojas are best drunk when they are at least two years old to allow the inherent tannins to mellow. Best recent vintages at affordable prices are 2004, 2005, 2006 and coming soon 2010. Most Riojas will benefit from decanting at least one hour before drinking and should be served at room temperature.

LABELLING GUIDANCE

Spanish labelling and legal requirements are very helpful when choosing Rioja.

Joven - wines are very young with little barrel or bottle aging

Cosecha – simply means vintage and generally applies to newer and younger wines.
Crianza – a wine at least two years old. Crianza has generally spent a year in oak barrels and a further year in the bodega or bottle.
Reserva – a better quality wine which is a minimum of 3 years old with at least one year in oak barrels.
Gran Reserva – the best quality wine. Wines must be at least 5 years old and have spent at least 2 years in oak barrels.

POPULAR BRANDS

Some popular brands which provide a wide range of styles are: Campo Viejo, Marques de Riscal, Marques de Murrieta, Marques de Caceres, Lagunilla and some Berberana offerings.

RECOMMENDATIONS

 Berberana Rioja Gran Reserva 75cl – 2004 *** Star Buy***

This vintage is a classic example of a very fine Rioja. Berberana Rioja Reserva 2004 is rich and smooth with black cherry and bramble flavours and spicy vanilla oak. This soft, rounded garnet red Rioja has notes of cedar and cinnamon, so it's perfect for anyone cooking a lamb dish. It has a lovely delivery in the mouth, very complete and supple. It is smooth, elegant and refined for such a big wine. Decant in advance to make the most of the red-berry aromas and a lovely complex, smooth finish. Discounted by 50% at Tesco Online this is on offer at £7.50 and is a fab wine for the money.

Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza 75cl - 2007

This medium bodied wine is smooth and elegant. It has intense aromas of plums, cherries, hints of strawberries and toasty vanillin oak. Available in most supermarkets and recognised by its yellow label. Priced at about £8.50 is often found on special. Currently available in Sainsbury’s at £6.00, Tesco at £6.29, Waitrose at £6.63 and Morrisons at £8.29. For just over £6 this is a good every day Rioja but better to trade up to the Reserva or Gran Reserva versions of Campo Viejo.

Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 75cl – 2007 *** Star Buy***

This Reserva is 5 years old and is the Crianza’s big brother. It is more elegant, with a smooth, rounded, medium bodied taste. Garnet ruby red in colour with brick coloured rim it exudes aromas of ripe berries and vanilla. Great balance between the fruit (cherries, black plums, ripe blackberries) and the clean nuances coming from the wood (clove, pepper, vanilla and coconut). Smooth and balanced on the palate with a full, elegant feel and a long, lingering finish. Open this wine and decant and you will be impressed by the smoothness. Don’t let the orange label put you off as this is a brilliant wine for the money. Normally priced at £12 to £14 this wine is on offer at Tesco for £6.99 and at Asda for £7.48

Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva 75cl – 2004

This Gran Reserva is 9 years old and is the sophisticated oldest brother of Campo Viejo Riojas. It is everything that the Reserva has and a bit more. Older, smoother and a quality wine. Worth spending a bit more for a special occasion. Sometimes on offer you can find it at Sainsbury’s for £15.59 and Tesco for £16.

Lagunilla Rioja Reserva – 2006

Lagunilla is mainly a supermarket brand which is regularly on a half price offer, especially at Morisons. This is a full bodied Rioja with meaty & aromatic flavours. Cherry red in colour with toasty aromas, smooth and round with wild forest fruits on the palate, soft tannins with notes of oak and a long lingering finish. Easy to recognise from its blue label it is normally offered in supermarkets at a full price of £13 and is in Morrison’s currently at £7.00. You won’t be disappointed with the 2006 reserva but the 2007 is not just as reliable. Its’ big brother Lagunilla Gran Reserva (with a black label) is an excellent wine and comes highly recommended at around £15

Faustino VII Rioja 75cl - 2010

This wine has a beautiful label for an unclassified Rioja. I haven’t tried this vintage as Faustino VII can be great in good years but fairly light bodied in others. Its a young wine Faustino describe this as having rich jammy fruits with slight hints of sweetness, vanilla and spice on the finish, evidence of the 10 months it has spent in new American oak. At Asda this is on offer at £5.00. This wine’s big brothers Faustino V Rioja Reserva and Faustino I are fantastic wines for around £11 to £13 come highly recommended.

JANUARY TOP REDS UNDER £15

From Decanter magazines top 50 reds under £15, I have selected five of the best which are widely available thorough supermarkets and major wine retailers. The reviews are a collection of experts and personal views and the prices quoted are currently available.

2011 Viña Mayu Syrah Reserva,  Elqui Valley, Chile - from £7.98

Decanter Magazine - Top 50 red 95/100 – 5 Stars
This is a stunning wine with genuine 'Rhône-style' characteristics, which has won a number of accolades and Mayu Syrah Reserva. It has been judged one of Chile's finest Syrah wines. It is an outstanding full-bodied red, matured in oak barrels, that displays intense ripe red fruit flavours with notes of juicy cassis, spice with a touch of vanilla, pepper and spice. This silky red with soft, ripe tannins and superb acidity  creates an elegant and rounded wine in the mouth. Recommended by Olly Smith for its spicy edge and oodles of velvety richness. Enjoy it over the next 2 years with a range of foods including grilled and roasted meats and vegetarian or Mediterranean dishes.
Available from Asda and Majestic

2011 Viña Mayu Sangiovese, Elqui Valley, Chile - from £4.98

Decanter Magazine - Top 50 red 93/100
The sangiovese grapes are hand-picked in small bins. The wine is partially aged in French and American oak barrels which gives it a lovely vanilla overtone. It has  black cherry aromas, gentle spicy flavours with a hint of dried chocolate. The full bodied red wine is velvety smooth with a mouth-filling finish. Mayu is the ancient Inca name for the Milky Way constellation. Crystal clear skies above the Elqui Valley, which has Chile's most northerly vineyards, are as perfect for growing fantastic vines as for stargazing. Drink this year
Available from Asda and Majestic

2009 Wirra Wirra Church Block McLaren Vale, Australia - from £9.99

Decanter Magazine Top 50 red 90/100 – Very highly recommended by James Haliday 91/100
This big Aussie blend of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and merlot has become a massive Australian favourite. This is a big wine with a spicy blackberry fragrance and opulent ripe berry fruit characters. The generous fruit is balanced with well integrated oak and soft tannins to produce a delicious wine with great length and style. The vigorous tannins will benefit from decanting and will drink well until 2016. Over four decades, the Church Block label, consistently offering a smooth, soft red wine that balances the complexity sought by aficionados, with the approachability desired by those seeking pure drinking pleasure.
Widely available at Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury, Co-op, and Majestic

 Brancott Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir, New Zealand - from £7.99

Decanter Magazine - Top 50 red 89/100
This is an excellent, medium bodied wine which is a consistent benchmark Pinot Noir. It has aromas of ripe, red cherry accentuated with savoury and spice highlights. With a sweet, velvet approach of ripe red summer fruits, it also displays subtle spice, silky tannins and good length providing a balance of structure and concentration. Drink 2013/14
Widely available at Tesco, Sainsbury, Co-op, and Majestic

 2010 De Bortoli Gulf Station Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia - £11.99

Decanter Magazine Top 50 red 90/100 - Highly recommended by James Haliday 88/100
The large Brookland Vineyard acquired by De Bortoli a few years ago supplies most of its grapes for this wine. Brightly coloured, it has a fresh and focused cherry and toast bouquet, showing spice and plenty of interest; the palate is vibrant, crunchy-fruited and refreshing on entry, with great energy and generosity to conclude. It will repay cellaring for 3-5 years.
Available from Sainsbury’s

ALDI - TRADE UP IN QUALITY BUT NOT IN PRICE

It’s only a few years when Asda was considered a low price – low quality wine merchant and now they still have the low price but offer many quality wines. Now you should be thinking Aldi who are selling award winning wines at very reasonable prices. Your guests will be impressed by these 3 quality wines which will not break the bank.

Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG - Aldi £6.99

Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene is the DOCG title given to the finest Prosecco wines made in the Veneto wine region of north-eastern Italy. This a fine example of Prosecco which won a silver medal at the 2012 Wine & Spirit International challenge. Why not mix this with a little peach juice to make a classic Bellini.

Baron Amarillo Rioja Reserva 2006. – Aldi £5.99

Don’t let the bright labelling put you off this award winning wine which is lush, rich and dominated by red fruits that lead into hints of blackcurrant and cherry. Perfect with lamb or turkey the 2006 was a very good year for Rioja.

South African Fairtrade Pinotage 2011 – Aldi  £4.99 

Pinotage is traditionally a full bodied red wine with a touch of dry spice. This Fairtrade offering is slightly smoky and earthy, with a juicy and luscious flavour of dark berry fruits and delicate spice.

 

What to drink at Christmas 2012

WHAT TO DRINK AT CHRISTMAS 2012

CANAPES & BUBBLY

Whether you enjoy tasty canapés or crisps or nuts you can’t let Christmas day go past without a glass or two of bubbly. Some nibbles and a glass of champagne is the perfect way to give everyone a lift, whet the appetite and get the festive food orgy underway.

Great news is that most supermarkets, Majestic and many wine outlets have champagne on special this year. Morisons, Asda, Waitrose, Majestic and Tesco have all had good reductions and half price deals available recently. Grand Marques such as Veuve Clicquot or Taittinger are excellent champagnes around £35 with Lanson Black Label, Piper Heidseick and Pommery in the £25 to£30 mark are also very good options. If you are looking for something which is almost as good as champagne at around a tenner, why not try Jacobs Creek chardonnay pinot noir which is a brilliant methode champenoise for around a tenner and is widely available.

Pink champagne always impresses but it is so easy to make Kir Royal by adding a little splash of Crème de Cassis liqueur to champagne or even cava. Readily available from supermarkets for about £9 for a 50cl bottle Crème De Cassis will add just a touch of sweetness and if you keep the bottle in the bottom of your fridge it should last for yonks. Or go Italian with a Bellini made from Prosecco and peach juice.

STARTERS

My rule for starters is always to serve white wines which are dry and light. A good sauvignon blanc from New Zealand, a chenin blanc from South Africa or a viognier from Chile or Australia are good new world choices. Sauvignon blanc with its’ dry minerally flavour and a touch of citrus, particularly grapefruits is ideal with smoked salmon, prawns or cured meats. Closer to home try a steely Sancerre from the Loire or choose an Italian option by going straight for a Gavi di Gavi and avoiding pinot grigio.

To serve something really special on Christmas day, you can dig a bit deeper into your pocket and go for a clean and light chardonnay from Burgundy such asRully, Mercurey and Montagny. The appellation of Mâcon-Villages, produces a softer style at a slightly lower price with Macon-Lugny a favourite. Another good choice is a steely Sancerre.

MAINS

Main courses at Christmas mainly fall into two categories roast turkey and the rest. Looking at wine options to go with roast turkey, chipolatas, pigs in blankets, rich gravy, sprouts, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce and sundry accoutrements raises quite a challenge. Normally you would associate white wines or light red wines such as pinot noir with white meats but with all those strong tastes going on at once you need something with a fuller body. Why not go for something special from the Rhone Valley such as Chateau Neuf Du Pape. 2006 and 2009 have been hailed as two exceptional years for Rhone wines and Chateau Neuf Du Pape hit its’ peak in those two years. If you like something a bit lighter with a touch of oak and vanilla, why not try a Spanish Rioja, especially a Reserva or a Gran Reserva which are smooth, rich and complex. There are some good Rioja Reservas listed below. If you have a penchant for Italy a Chianti Classicocould fit the bill.

If you have opted out of roast turkey and will enjoya juicy steak or a nice rich steak pie New World reds will provide that mouth filling rich fruity flavours with touches of oak and tannin which compliment red meats. Why not seek out a cabernet sauvignon from Chile or Australia, a Malbec from Argentina, a Pinotage from South Africa or a weightier Syrah or Durif from Oz. Carmenère from Chile and Argentine is the new up and coming grape with lots of flavour with round soft tannins. Returning to Europe a smooth Amarone or Primitivo from Italy can provide a soft full bodied alternative or a big wine from the Rhone - Vaqueyras, Crozes Hermitage, Gigondas or the heavy weight St Joseph.

PUDDINGS

There is nothing better to go with puddings than a sweet white wine. Top of the tree comes Beaumes de Venise or Sauternes from France or an Icewine from Austria or Canada which are best served well chilled. The ripe, unctuous sweet flavours offer a complex compliment to most desserts. Alternatives from Oz are available and I recommend the Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora. If you are looking for something different go no further than a chilled bottle of Asti Spumante which will bring another sparkle to the festivities.

CHEESE & AFTERS

When the digestive system starts to cope with the previous 4 courses there is always room for a nibble from the cheese board with a bunch of ripe red grapes. Wines to follow are really a personal choice depending on the cheeses available. A glass or two of a full bodied red wine or rich tawny port can finish the meal perfectly. There are a number of very good Port houses which offer a range of tawny, LBV or vintage ports which will do the job. You really can’t go wrong with Noval, Taylor’s or Cockburn’s ports which are widely available.

TO FINISH

If you have not succumbed to that warm, cosy after meal siesta then there’s always time for another port or a warm, smooth and mouth filling malt whisky. If like me you prefer smooth, round whiskies with a sweeter aspect opt for a dram from Scotland’s most northerly distillery in Orkney, where a 12 year old Highland park will do the job. A hearty Glenfarclas 15 year old from Speyside, a smooth lightly peated 12 year old Bunnahabhain from Islay or an even lighter 12 year old Aberfeldy from the Highlands are superb alternatives. If you want to push the boat out and have deep pockets there is a wide selection of great malts which have matured well into their teens and early twenties. Three that top my list without being overly expensive are 18 years olds from Smith’s Glenlivet, Highland Park or Glenfarclas.

SOME WELL TRIED & TESTED RECOMMENDATIONS

BUBBLY
Taittinger Brut Champagne – NV – Widely Available
Lanson Black Label Champagne – NV - Widely Available
Veuve Clicquot NV Champagne – NV - Widely Available
Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée NV –Morisons, Tesco & Other Stores

WHITES

Mâcon-Lugny Domaine des Terres Gentilles – 2011 Burgundy France - Majestic
Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc - 2011Marlborough, New Zealand - Readily Available
Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc – 2011 Marlborough, New Zealand - Asda, Morisons, Tesco & Other Stores
Nobilo Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc - 2011 New Zealand - – Morisons, Tesco
Viña Mayu Sauvignon Blanc – 2011Chile – Morisons & Asda
Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay – 2011 Casablanca Valley, Chile - WidelyAvailable
Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay – 2011 Casablanca Valley, Chile - Majestic
Yalumba Y Viognier 2011 South Australia – Majestic& Morrisons
Tesco Finest Gavi 2011 – Italy - Tesco

REDS

Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Cotes du Rhone Village –2010 Rhône, France – Sainsbury
Tesco Finest Vacqueyras, Ets Jean-Paul Selles, Southern Rhone -2008 Rhône, France - Tesco
M&S Les Closiers Châteauneuf-du-Pape - 2008 Rhône, France – M&S
Stella Bella Shiraz - 2008 - Margaret River, Western Australia – Alliance Wines
Peter Lehmann Shiraz Barossa Valley – 2009/10Australia – Majestic
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon - 2009 – Chile –Morisons
Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier - 2011 South Australia –Tesco & Morrisons
Casillero del Diablo Shiraz - 2011 Rapel Valley, Chile – Morisons, Tesco & Other Stores
Black Stump Durif-Shiraz - 2012 - South Eastern Australia - Laithwaites
Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva & Gran Reserva 75cl – 2006Spain – Sainsbury, Tesco & Other Stores
Lagunilla Reserva Rioja – 2006 Spain – Morisons, Tesco & Other Stores
Viña Mayu Sangiovese –2011 Chile –Morisons& Asda
Viña Mayu Syrah Reserva – 2009 Chile - Asda

DESSERT & PORT

Yvon Mau Tesco Finest Sauternes – 2009 France - Tesco
Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora 2009 Australia - Majestic& Waitrose
Noval Late Bottled Vintage Port 75cl – 2005 - Tesco& Ocado
Taylor's 10 Year Old Tawny Port 75cl – NV – Tesco, Majestic & Other Stores
Cockburn's Special Reserve Port 75cl – NV – Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury & Waitrose

Cheers & Enjoy but drink sensibly

Stonefield World of Travel

Sommeliers & Gourmands of Distinction