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Rioja
Rioja, Spain
redMedium garnet
Red fruit wrapped in long oak ageing, traditionally American oak with vanilla and dill.
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Rioja and Ribera del Duero side by side: structure on the WSET scale, grapes, aromas, drinking window, typical UK price and what to eat with each.
Red fruit wrapped in long oak ageing, traditionally American oak with vanilla and dill.
Darker, denser Tempranillo than Rioja, with high-altitude freshness.
The shape of each wine, then each measure on the WSET scale.
Ribera del Duero has noticeably more body than Rioja.
Rioja: Tempranillo-led with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo
Ribera del Duero: Tempranillo (Tinto Fino), sometimes with Cabernet or Merlot
| Rioja | Ribera del Duero | |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | Tempranillo-led with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo | Tempranillo (Tinto Fino), sometimes with Cabernet or Merlot |
| Climate | Continental with Atlantic and Mediterranean influences | Extreme continental, high altitude (750–1000 m) |
| Soil | Clay-limestone, ferrous clay and alluvium | Limestone, clay and sand |
| Classification | DOCa; ageing tiers Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva | DO |
| Drinking window | 5–25 years (Gran Reserva longer) | 8–25 years |
| Typical price | £10–£50 | £15–£80 (Vega Sicilia far more) |
| Food | Roast lamb, chorizo, Manchego | Roast suckling lamb, steak |
| Producers to know | La Rioja Alta, R. López de Heredia, CVNE | Vega Sicilia, Dominio de Pingus, Pesquera |