01 / Four Spanish landscapes
Tempranillo, vineyard identity and the quiet pleasure of a Reserva
Rioja: the art of time in the barrel
In the foothills and valleys around the Ebro, Rioja tells the story of Spanish wine with remarkable variety. Tempranillo is a signature grape, but altitude, subregion and blending can change everything. Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental have their own conditions; Garnacha, Graciano and other grapes help explain why two Rioja reds can feel surprisingly different.
Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva are regulated ageing terms, not a universal ranking of taste or price. Some producers prize the familiar combination of American oak, spice and mature savouriness; others pursue fresher fruit and a lighter hand with oak. Taste a younger style beside a mature Reserva and ask which you would rather put beside roast lamb or mushrooms.
