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Crianza wines, aged for at least two years with a minimum of one
year in oak casks. The wood gives the Crianza a hint of vanilla,
which combines with the grape's fresh fruitiness to make a wine
that's great with smoked cod croquetas.
Older Reserva wines are selected from the best vintages and
improve with age, becoming even more complex. They spend a
minimum of three years ageing at the winery, again with at least
one in oak casks. These wines are built to last and they display
concentrated fruit ¡ avours along with complex hints of spice. They
taste beautiful with similarly rich and ¡ avoursome dishes such as
morcilla con alegrías (pan-fried black pudding with spicy peppers).
At the top of the red ladder, prestigious Gran Reservas spend at
least two years ageing in oak and a further three years in the bottle
before they are nally released. They rank among the world's nest
wines, with intense depth, silky texture and often savoury ¡ avours.
Try them with rich dishes such as braised Ibérico pork cheek.
Rioja is not all about red wine however; the region also produces
top-class whites and rosés. Unaged whites are young, fresh
and fruity with citrus aromas and zingy acidity. This style goes
particularly well with sh: try it with a zesty salpicón de marisco
(seafood salad). Barrel-fermented white Riojas display creamy,
buttery notes that work with a wide variety of tapas, including the
notoriously di¤ cult to match tortilla de patatas (potato omelette).
If you want something in the middle, vibrant rosado (rosé) Riojas
are typically made in a dry style with bags of strawberry and cherry
¡ avours - great with gambas a la plancha (grilled prawns).
For more information visit riojawine.com
*Terms and conditions The Taste Tapas Fantasticas
promotion will run from 19 May to 16 June. Diners
will receive a Taste Tapas Fantasticas redemption
card and one stamp per glass of Rioja ord ered at
participating venues. Diners who collect four
stamps or more from di erent outlets can
claim rewards at Rioja Tapas Fantasticas.
RIOJA TAPAS FANTASTICAS
Can't get to northern Spain any time soon? Rioja Tapas
Fantasticas is London's leading Spanish food and wine
festival. With free entry, visitors can taste wines from
more than 40 Rioja producers and sample an array of
Spanish food from restaurants including Morito, José,
Camino and Bar Tozino.
Wine experts Susy Atkins and Olly Smith will be
on hand to guide you through Rioja tastings, and top
chefs - including José Pizarro - will perform live cookery
demonstrations. As well as food demos, live musicians
will take to the stage to entertain the crowds.
To start enjoying great wine and food, simply purchase
a tasting glass (£3.50) and receive four tokens to exchange
for wines. You can also purchase tapas and wine by the
glass, with whole bottles available to take home.
Wine Workshops and Walking Tours are on o er to guide
you through the wines, the region and the fabulous food
- purchase tickets online at riojatapasfantasticas.co.uk,
priced at £6.
When: Saturday 14 (12-8pm) and Sunday 15 June (12-6pm)
Where: Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2AA
(Nearest tube stations are Tower Hill and London Bridge)
More info: riojatapasfantasticas.co.uk
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