The Lure of Rioja

(written for Dinner4Date )

Rioja is Spain’s most famous wine region, producing a wide variety of flagship reds, whites and roses. If you are planning a sensual evening with a romantic meal, flowers and soft music, then a well chosen Rioja will complement it perfectly.

There is something seductive about Spanish reds that reflect the passion and vibrant nature of a country with such a fabulous landscape and rich culture. The good news is that there are plenty of wonderful wine options that are reasonably priced so you can impress your date with a seductive bottle of red without worrying about breaking the bank.

If your experience of wine is limited and you are unsure what type of wine your date enjoys then an ideal Rioja to start with is the Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza - a soft, velvety medium bodied tempting Tempranillo wine with an ABV of 13.5%. It is widely available in liquor stores nationwide (or online) and a bottle will cost you around $7.49.

The Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva is slightly more expensive, at around $10.99 but is also an excellent choice to accompany an intimate meal for two. It’s a smooth, fuller bodied Tempranillo (also 13.5% ABV) and again very drinkable, making it a great choice for someone with a limited knowledge of red wines. If you want to splash out a little more then the Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva will cost you around $20 and is a slightly richer and more fruity alternative.

Red Rioja wines suit rich meat dishes, such as lamb or game (or even a well prepared roast dinner!). Ideally, serve the wine just below room temperature and open the bottle about half an hour prior to bringing it to the table (there is no need to decant it). Why not continue the red colour theme and add some roses to the table? This will help create a romantic setting and show that you have put some thought into the presentation of your meal.

Once you have your bottle of wine in place then you are all set to go. Dim the lights a little and put on some romantic background music. Seat your date at the table, pour the wine and serve your meal. While sipping away on your glasses of Rioja, you can leave the rest of the world outside and concentrate on each other for the duration of your special night together.