Rioja Wine School

Our WINE SCHOOL boxes focus on the region as a whole, with a compendium of printed notes to help you learn about everything: the history, the terroir and of course - the wine! GET INITIATED!

Rioja is changing. Geographical Indicators will now accompany the old crianza etc ageing model. We have 6 Rioja Reds that show the new versatility of the region - 3 traditional and 3 new wave examples.

Starting on the new-wave: El Mozo Herrigoia is actually made the way Rioja was made before Rioja was Rioja! A field blend of several varieties (including white Viura) thrown together and fermented by carbonic maceration, no oak - same way Beaujolais is made - it is bright and lifted. Malaspiedras Rioja is Tempranillo grown naturally at altitude to impart acidity, but with a lovely twist of oak. Insolente Graciano is a rare 100% Graciano Rioja, a grape becoming more and more fashionable in today climate. Iselen Tinto Mesa is old school unbridled Tempranillo, but with young fresh packaging, mutton dressed as lamb.

On the old school side, Starting with a salt of the earth, Old school Rioja from one of the regIons most well known producers: Letargo Tio Martin Crianza is a moorish, powerful wine with some balsmaic and underbrush character and that signature La Rioja oxidative quality.  Calzadas Crianza is saline and refreshing, with a good lick of warm oak but beautifully integrated - also reasonably full bodies and powerful. These will make you fall in love with Rioja. 

This pack lets you travel back in time and discover the Rioja of the past - legacy vines, old techniques and plots. It also lets you surf the new wave, modern, bright, funky Rioja. The illuminating printed DEEP DIVE NOTES tie it all together - GET INITIATED!