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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