Rioja is perfect for this time of the year.
Somehow the smokiness of the wine is redolent of autumn bonfires and the fruit style is perfectly suited to rich winter dishes and, of course, game.
The region’s regulations demand that the wines are aged before being released and so one is sure to find mature wines from this part of the world that are perfectly ready to drink and be enjoyed.
The Rioja mixed case costs £135 and includes three bottles each of the following four wines.
Beronia Barrel Fermented Tempranillo 2006: Tempranillo is the main grape of Rioja and crops up all over Spain under different names. Normally blended with other grape varieties, this is a single varietal wine with intense mushroom and smoky vanilla flavours and a superb silky texture.
Vina Alberdi Reserva 2001: La Rioja Alta is one of the classic traditional producers and one of the very best in Rioja. This Reserva is typical of their style: elegant and mature with soft strawberry and vanilla fruit. Perfect with lamb dishes or light game like partridge.
Beronia Reserva 2001: This Reserva is silky smooth with subtle hints of crisp, smoky fruit, raspberry and strawberry flavours and a long smooth finish. Perfect with pheasant and any dishes seasoned with herbs.
Luis Canas Reserva 2001: Luis Canas have made a modern-style Rioja which is ultra clean and fresh despite its maturity. This is richer than the other three wines and has deeper, more concentrated fruit with flavours of mushrooms and fruits of the forest. Well made wine.
The Oxford Times Wine Club is run in association with The Oxford Wine Company. Free delivery of your wine is available within 30 miles of Oxford. Please allow up to ten working days for delivery of your wine. If you have any questions about your order, contact The Oxford Wine Company on 01865 301144 quoting The Oxford Times Wine Club or email: info@oxfordwine.co.uk
If you would like to buy unmixed or mixed cases of wines that you have particularly liked from The Oxford Times Wine Club at the same special discounted prices, please contact Theo Sloot at The Oxford Wine Company on 01865 301144 or email theo@oxfordwine.co.uk
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