Rioja is red. White wine is for fish, never for red meat. Wine and food matching is complicated. These statements seem plausible enough, but what evidence backs them up?
Contrary to popular belief, Rioja is in fact not a red grape variety, but Spain’s flagship wine region, producing dozens of excellent and varied whites, not to mention plenty of rosé (or rosado). A crisp white wine really can be the perfect match for roast pork, while a tangy red can complement a fish dish to perfection. And yes, with a bit of coaching, you could learn to match food with wine like a pro.
Experience the Rioja Summer of Tapas Fantasticas and you’ll learn all this and more – and you might even find yourself some new favourites. Beyond the region’s famous high-quality red wines, there’s a wealth of superb whites and rosés. In fact, with more than 600 producers and a winemaking tradition that dates back to Phoenician times, the Rioja region has everything you need when it comes to tipples.
Traditional Rioja wines spend several years ageing in barrels before they are released, which means they are complex and ready to be enjoyed straight away. A new wave of modern producers has recently emerged, however, that produce different styles – from full-bodied reds to crisp whites. The diversity of styles from the region ensures that whatever you are eating there will be a Rioja wine to match.
Don’t believe it? Then why not head to one of the many events taking place this summer as part of the Rioja Summer of Tapas Fantasticas? For the next few months, independent wine merchant Prohibition Wines, based in Muswell Hill, London, and a selection of Laithwaite’s wine shops across the UK, will host a series of evening events to showcase Rioja’s wines, alongside tapas from the region. These informal, fun events will be hosted by Rioja experts, who will serve up some of the most authentic tapas to be found outside of Spain. They’ll teach you the difference between a Reserva and a Gran Reserva Rioja, as well as why rosé isn’t just for summer.
In June, Wines from Rioja will begin a journey around food festivals taking place across the UK and Ireland. Look out for the tapas bars at Taste of Dublin in June and at Foodies Festivals in Bristol (June) and Edinburgh and Oxford (August), serving up authentic Spanish tapas dishes paired with Rioja wines. For those really thirsty for knowledge there are also informal masterclasses at these festivals, with wine experts Susy Atkins, Kevin Ecock and Jane Parkinson.
If you’re in London, look out for Taste Tapas Fantasticas in June, when numerous restaurants around the city will be celebrating Rioja’s wines with tastings and events. Don’t expect only Spanish restaurants to be joining in, though: Rioja wines can be paired with all sorts of world cuisines.
These Tapas Fantasticas events will bring Rioja to people all over the UK and Ireland, but if you can’t make it along to one of them in person, you can still join in, thanks to Wines from Rioja’s series of eight videos.
These step-by-step guides to cooking up a gourmet Rioja-inspired feast feature renowned Spanish chef José Pizarro. Watch José cook up an original recipe using the Rioja region’s superb produce, such as succulent lamb, earthy mushrooms and goat’s cheese, before award-winning wine expert Olly Smith talks you through choosing the perfect accompanying Riojan wine to really make it zing. You’ll soon forget such myths as “white only goes with fish”, “wine doesn’t go with fruit” and “Rioja only produces big reds” under their expert tutelage.
That’s sure to impress your friends the next time you have them round for dinner. It will probably have them reaching for wines from Rioja too.
Find out more about the Rioja Summer of Tapas Fantasticas here or follow the latest happenings on Twitter – #RiojaSummerTapas – and Facebook
