A Fine Wine from Spain

By: Cresta

Arbanta Rioja 2010, around $11.99

I usually drink white wine in the summer, but the other day the weather reminded me so much of Fall. I was eyeing the red Rioja that has been in my wine rack for a couple of months now. So I decided to give it a try. I was really tempted to start a fire in my fireplace, but that would’ve been pushing it.

Rioja is named after La Rioja in Spain. This wine is made from the Tempranillo grape – a variety of black grape – often referred to as Spain’s noble grape. Wines from Rioja are known to be aged in a barrel.

Spanish wines are about the place they’re from, and Rioja offers silky wines. Silky is a great description because this is a smooth wine. I was surprised how much I liked it. It has spicy floral aromas with a full-bodied yet bright flavor. It’s somewhat sweet on the tongue at first but then it’s a bit spicy. The solid fruit flavors of this wine remind me of cherries and plums. Delicioso!

I drank a glass…OK, two…solo, but the Rioja pairs nicely with roasted chicken and pasta. Yum.