Tastes of the Rioja

Wine Club was a huge success last week, focusing on the wines and varieties of Rioja, Spain. As always, we voted on Best Value Wine and Wine Of The Night, and this time around there was more than a hint of controversy in the results!

🍇 Wine Of The Night 🍇

Valenciso Rioja Blanco

Mid-winter... a region famed for benchmark Spanish Reds... the scene is set for a big winter warming Tempranillo to take out best wine, right? Well, we were all wrong! Valenciso steps up to the plate and throws us all a curveball with their Rioja Blanco and win Wine Of The Night by popular vote.

Most of us can't afford proper Burgundy these days, so we hunt around the wine world for similar drinking experiences at better price points - like Rioja Blanco! This limited-production vino comes from hand-harvested Viura and Grenache Blanc grapes, fermented and aged in tight grain oak barrels for a gentle touch. Aromas of lively fruit show finesse with subtle creaminess, spice notes and balanced oak presence. Long, persistent and refined. 

🥂 Best Value Wine 🥂

Battles Tempranillo

For the crown of Best Value Wine, a local Aussie interloper beat out its Spanish rivals!

Single vineyard Tempranillo grown on the Aravina vineyard in Margaret River. A fleshy and vibrant style with red berry fruits mixing with bright aromatics and some savoury tones. Medium-bodied with rustic, integrated tannins.