<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Composition-68a5438.jpg?quality=90&resize=620,413" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Composition-68a5438.jpg?quality=90&resize=960,639 960w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Composition-68a5438.jpg?quality=90&resize=720,479 720w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Composition-68a5438.jpg?quality=90&resize=576,383 576w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Composition-68a5438.jpg?quality=90&resize=360,239 360w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Composition-68a5438.jpg?quality=90&resize=180,119 180w, " sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" width="620" height="413" class="wp-image-883594 alignnone size-landscape_thumbnail" alt="Three bottles of rioja wine" title="Best riojas" /> <p class="p1">Drinking Rioja used to be like wearing an old cardigan. Not necessarily exciting but always comfortable. Many wine lovers, myself included, got into the subject through the mellow charms of this north Spanish wine. Rioja offered another way between the simple pleasures of cheaper Australian wines and the more austere offerings from France and Italy. It was accessible and fruity but also mature and sophisticated.</p>
<p class="p1">Compared with, say, Bordeaux, Rioja was consumer friendly with distinctive brand names, attractive packaging, and an easy to understand hierarchy: crianza, the youngest wines, followed by reserva and gran reserva at the top. The Spanish, unlike the French, did the ageing for you. The region was (and largely still is) dominated by large companies who usually blended across Rioja’s three sub-regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Oriental (Baja), Rioja Alavesa, ensuring a consistent product. The wines were a blend of grapes too: mainly tempranillo and garnacha (grenache) with others playing a supporting role such as graciano, mazuelo (carignan) and even some white varieties. The resulting wines were usually pale red from ageing in American oak which brought flavours of coconut, tobacco and walnuts. These old school wines are still made and, at their best, they are some of the finest wines in the world; at worst they are dull, formulaic and taste largely of wood.</p>
<p class="p1">Things changed in the ‘90s, when some producers began to ape modern Bordeaux. Pale grenache was out, dark-coloured heavily-extracted tempranillo was in; out went the old American barrels, in came new French barriques. The resulting wines laden with concentrated flavours of blackcurrant, spice and firm tannins needed time in bottle to soften but the wines were usually released much younger than in the past. After suitable ageing, the best of these modern wines could be very good indeed, if not that distinctive, but the not so good ones were aggressive and not a lot of fun to drink.</p>
<p class="p1">Now, there’s a third style which we’ll call new wave. These are often wines from a single sub-region, even a single vineyard. The oak is in the background and the emphasis is on freshness rather than power; think crunchy fruit and herbal notes. These are joyful irresistible wines and, best of all, this emphasis on freshness has spread across the whole region. There are fewer tired fruitless old fashioned wines, or over-muscular bruisers.</p>
<p class="p1">Rioja has cast off the old cardigan, it’s now exciting and unpredictable. Avoid the very bottom end, discount reservas and gran reservas are always a disappointment, and Rioja offers some of the highest quality to pound ratio of any wine you can buy. Here are ten that won’t disappoint.</p>
<h2>Best rioja wines at a glance</h2>
<ul>
<li class="p1"><b>Best Gran Reserva: </b>La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2014, <a href="https://www.laywheeler.com/product-detail?id=3014609A&price=duty-paid" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">£35.61</span></a></li>
<li class="p1"><b>Best Garnacha: </b>Ramon Bilbao Garnacha Límite Sur 2020, <a href="https://greatwine.co.uk/ramon-bilbao-limite-sur-2020" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">£21</span></a></li>
<li class="p1"><b>Best big brand: </b>Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza 2019, <a href="https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/rioja-crianza-14323" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">£9.99 when you mix six</span></a></li>
<li class="p1"><b>Best supermarket own label: </b>Marques Del Norte Rioja Reserva 2019, <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100262634-15730022?sid=bbcgoodfood-0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroceries.asda.com%2Fproduct%2Frioja%2Fasda-extra-special-marques-del-norte-rioja-reserva%2F1000380302591" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><span class="s1">£9</span></a></li>
<li class="p1"><b>Best budget rioja: </b>Baron Amarillo Rioja Crianza NV, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?id=489797&clickref=bbcgoodfood-0&awinmid=19523&p=https%3A%2F%2Fgroceries.aldi.co.uk%2Fen-GB%2Fp-baron-amarillo-rioja-crianza-75cl%2F4061459806854" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><span class="s1">£5.99</span></a></li>
<li class="p1"><b>Best new wave wine: </b>Bideona Rioja Mayela 2021, <a href="https://hic-winemerchants.com/products/bideona-mayela-rioja-alavesa" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">£12</span></a></li>
<li class="p1"><b>Best traditional Rioja: </b>The Society’s Rioja Crianza Bodegas Palacio 2019, <a href="https://www.thewinesociety.com/product/the-societys-rioja-crianza-2019" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">£8.50</span></a></li>
<li class="p1"><b>Best with roast lamb: </b>Beronia Rioja Reserva 2019, <a href="https://waitrose-cellar.sjv.io/c/1236178/892935/12344?subId1=bbcgoodfood-0&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waitrosecellar.com%2Ffine-wine%2Fberonia-rioja-reserva" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><span class="s1">£15.99</span></a></li>
<li class="p1"><b>Best with tapas: </b>Muriel Vendimia Seleccionada Tempranillo 2018, <a href="https://www.coop.co.uk/products/muriel-tempranillo-rioja-806062" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">£7.50</span></a></li>
<li class="p1"><b>Best single vineyard wine: </b>Bodegas Mateos La Mateo Colecciòn de Familia Vendimia, Rioja 2020/21, <a href="https://shop.oxfordwine.co.uk/products/bodegas-mateos-la-mateo-coleccion-de-familia-vendimia-rioja" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">£30</span></a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Best rioja wines to buy in 2024</h2>
<h3 class="p1">La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2014</h3>
<p class="p1">Available from <a href="https://www.laywheeler.com/product-detail?id=3014609A&price=duty-paid" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Lay & Wheeler</span> (£35.61)</a></p>
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<img class="wp-image-883596 align size-full image-handler__image image-handler__image–full no-wrap js-lazyload" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Rioja-Alta700-3447257.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C310" width="700" height="350" alt="A bottle of La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2014" title="La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2014">
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<p class="p1"><strong>Best Gran Reserva</strong></p>
<p class="p1">Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s hard to think of any other wine offering this much pleasure for the money. It smells incredible, highly aromatic with rosemary, cedar, tobacco, and leafy forest floor notes. The taste is ripe and full featuring strawberries on the palate, baking spices, mellow, soft tannins, and a creamy texture. Sheer Rioja heaven!</p>
<p class="p1">Available from:<br>
<a href="https://www.laywheeler.com/product-detail?id=3014609A&price=duty-paid" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Lay & Wheeler</span> (£35.61)</a></p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Ramon Bilbao Garnacha Límite Sur 2020</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Available from <a href="https://greatwine.co.uk/ramon-bilbao-limite-sur-2020" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Great Wine Co. (£21)</span></a></p>
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<img class="wp-image-883601 align size-full image-handler__image image-handler__image–full no-wrap js-lazyload" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Garnacha700-26e5f5f.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C310" width="700" height="350" alt="A bottle of Ramon Bilbao Garnacha Límite Sur 2020" title="Ramon Bilbao Garnacha Límite Sur 2020">
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<p class="p1"><b>Best Garnacha</b></p>
<p class="p1">Unusually this wine is made from 100% Garnacha (Grenache) a grape that is undergoing a renaissance in the region. It’s fragrant and supple on the palate with sweet red berry fruit, spicy liquorice and a mineral rocky edge. Think Pinot Noir but with extra alcohol and you’re in the right place.</p>
<p class="p1">Available from:<br>
<a href="https://greatwine.co.uk/ramon-bilbao-limite-sur-2020" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Great Wine Co. (£21)</span></a></p>
<h3 class="p1">Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza 2019</h3>
<p class="p1">Available from <a href="https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/rioja-crianza-14323" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Majestic (£9.99 when you mix six)</span></a></p>
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<img class="wp-image-883602 align size-full image-handler__image image-handler__image–full no-wrap js-lazyload" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Caceres700-937503c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C310" width="700" height="350" alt="A bottle of Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza 2019" title="Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza 2019">
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<p class="p1"><strong>Best big brand</strong></p>
<p class="p1">Floral with sweet ripe fruit, quite firm tannins and a nice spiciness to it, it’s been a while since we’ve had this ubiquitous red and we are really impressed. It’s a really elegant wine rather than being jammy or smothered in oak. It’s a great Sunday lunch sort of bottle.</p>
<p class="p1">Available from:<br>
<a href="https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/rioja-crianza-14323" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Majestic (£9.99 when you mix six)</span></a></p>
<h3 class="p1">Marques Del Norte Rioja Reserva 2019</h3>
<p class="p1">Available from <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100262634-15730022?sid=bbcgoodfood-0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroceries.asda.com%2Fproduct%2Frioja%2Fasda-extra-special-marques-del-norte-rioja-reserva%2F1000380302591" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><span class="s1">ASDA (£9)</span></a></p>
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<img class="wp-image-883605 align size-full image-handler__image image-handler__image–full no-wrap js-lazyload" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Norte-Reserva700-4471e85.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C310" width="700" height="350" alt="A bottle of Marques Del Norte Rioja Reserva 2019" title="Marques Del Norte Rioja Reserva 2019">
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<p class="p1"><b>Best supermarket own label</b></p>
<p class="p1">Take a smell and you can immediately tell where this is from. With its coconut and strawberry, it’s unmistakable Rioja. There is no shortage of oak here but with its richness and fruit, it carries it really well. You’re getting a lot of character for the money.</p>
<p class="p1">Available from:<br>
<a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100262634-15730022?sid=bbcgoodfood-0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroceries.asda.com%2Fproduct%2Frioja%2Fasda-extra-special-marques-del-norte-rioja-reserva%2F1000380302591" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><span class="s1">ASDA (£9)</span></a></p>
<h3 class="p1">Baron Amarillo Rioja Crianza NV</h3>
<p class="p1">Available from <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?id=489797&clickref=bbcgoodfood-0&awinmid=19523&p=https%3A%2F%2Fgroceries.aldi.co.uk%2Fen-GB%2Fp-baron-amarillo-rioja-crianza-75cl%2F4061459806854" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><span class="s1">Aldi (£5.99)</span></a></p>
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<img class="wp-image-883606 align size-full image-handler__image image-handler__image–full no-wrap js-lazyload" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Amarillo700-a39546f.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C310" width="700" height="350" alt="A bottle of Baron Amarillo Rioja Crianza NV" title="Baron Amarillo Rioja Crianza NV">
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<p class="p1"><b>Best budget rioja</b></p>
<p class="p1">It’s very hard to argue with this for under £6. There’s a reserva for a little more but we much prefer this because it’s more perfumed and fruitier: think red berry fruit with a refreshing acidity plus some leather, tobacco and even a little walnut on the finish.</p>
<p class="p1">Available from:<br>
<a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?id=489797&clickref=bbcgoodfood-0&awinmid=19523&p=https%3A%2F%2Fgroceries.aldi.co.uk%2Fen-GB%2Fp-baron-amarillo-rioja-crianza-75cl%2F4061459806854" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><span class="s1">Aldi (£5.99)</span></a></p>
<h3 class="p1">Bideona Rioja Mayela 2021</h3>
<p class="p1">Available from <a href="https://hic-winemerchants.com/products/bideona-mayela-rioja-alavesa" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Hic <span class="s2">(</span>£12)</span></a></p>
<p class="p1"></p><div class="image-handler__container image-handler__container–full" style="padding-bottom: calc(100% * (350 / 700));">
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<img class="wp-image-883607 align size-full image-handler__image image-handler__image–full no-wrap js-lazyload" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Mayela700-337520c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C310" width="700" height="350" alt="A bottle of Bideona Rioja Mayela 2021" title="Bideona Rioja Mayela 2021">
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<p class="p1"><b>Best new wave wine</b></p>
<p class="p1">Take one look at the label and you know you’re getting something a little different. This is made from especially chosen parcels of old vine fruit. The smell is herbal with strong red cherries and then take a sip and it’s crunchy, herbal and explosively fresh. This is Rioja that will appeal to lovers of Syrah.</p>
<p class="p1">Available from:<br>
<a href="https://hic-winemerchants.com/products/bideona-mayela-rioja-alavesa" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Hic <span class="s2">(</span>£12)</span></a></p>
<h3 class="p1">The Society’s Rioja Crianza Bodegas Palacio 2019</h3>
<p class="p1">Available from <a href="https://www.thewinesociety.com/product/the-societys-rioja-crianza-2019" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">The Wine Society (£8.50)</span></a></p>
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<img class="wp-image-883608 align size-full image-handler__image image-handler__image–full no-wrap js-lazyload" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/The-Societys700-08fd659.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C310" width="700" height="350" alt="The Society’s Rioja Crianza Bodegas Palacio 2019" title="The Society’s Rioja Crianza Bodegas Palacio 2019">
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<p class="p1"><b>Best traditional Rioja</b></p>
<p class="p1">While we love all the exciting things happening in the region, sometimes we can’t get enough of the traditional wines, aged long in American oak. This own label wine produced by Bodegas Cosme Palacio is 100% Tempranillo and offers layers of coconut, vanilla and tobacco. And the price is absurd.</p>
<p class="p1">Available from:<br>
<a href="https://www.thewinesociety.com/product/the-societys-rioja-crianza-2019" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">The Wine Society (£8.50)</span></a></p>
<h3 class="p1">Beronia Rioja Reserva 2019</h3>
<p class="p1">Available from <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100262634-14104232?sid=bbcgoodfood-0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sainsburys.co.uk%2Fgol-ui%2Fproduct%2Fberonia-rioja-reserva-75cl" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Sainsburys (£14)</a>, <a href="https://waitrose-cellar.sjv.io/c/1236178/892935/12344?subId1=bbcgoodfood-0&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waitrosecellar.com%2Ffine-wine%2Fberonia-rioja-reserva" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><span class="s1">Waitrose (£15.99)</span></a>, <a href="https://www.masterofmalt.com/wine/beronia/beronia-rioja-reserva-2019-wine/" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer">Master of Malt (£17)</a>, <a href="https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/rioja-reserva-14480" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer">Majestic Wine (£18.99)</a></p>
<p class="p1"></p><div class="image-handler__container image-handler__container–full" style="padding-bottom: calc(100% * (350 / 700));">
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<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Beronia700-12d1339.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C150, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Beronia700-12d1339.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C300 2x" type="image/webp">
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<img class="wp-image-883609 align size-full image-handler__image image-handler__image–full no-wrap js-lazyload" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Beronia700-12d1339.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C310" width="700" height="350" alt="A bottle of Beronia Rioja Reserva 2019" title="Beronia Rioja Reserva 2019">
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<p class="p1"><b>Best with roast lamb</b></p>
<p>You’ll understand why lamb and Rioja is such a classic combination when you take a sip of this. With its deep colour and spicy oak, this is a modern style Rioja but, unlike some, it’s not overblown. The all important freshness is here and time in the bottle has mellowed it beautifully.</p>
<p>Available from:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100262634-14104232?sid=bbcgoodfood-0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sainsburys.co.uk%2Fgol-ui%2Fproduct%2Fberonia-rioja-reserva-75cl" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Sainsburys (£14)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://waitrose-cellar.sjv.io/c/1236178/892935/12344?subId1=bbcgoodfood-0&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waitrosecellar.com%2Ffine-wine%2Fberonia-rioja-reserva" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><span class="s1">Waitrose (£15.99)</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.masterofmalt.com/wine/beronia/beronia-rioja-reserva-2019-wine/" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer">Master of Malt (£17)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/rioja-reserva-14480" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer">Majestic Wine (£18.99)</a></li>
</ul>
<h3 class="p1">Muriel Vendimia Seleccionada Tempranillo 2018</h3>
<p class="p1">Available from <a href="https://www.coop.co.uk/products/muriel-tempranillo-rioja-806062" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Co-op (£7.50)</span></a></p>
<p class="p1"></p><div class="image-handler__container image-handler__container–full" style="padding-bottom: calc(100% * (350 / 700));">
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<img class="wp-image-883610 align size-full image-handler__image image-handler__image–full no-wrap js-lazyload" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/Muriel700-109240e.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C310" width="700" height="350" alt="A bottle of Muriel Vendimia Seleccionada Tempranillo 2018" title="Muriel Vendimia Seleccionada Tempranillo 2018">
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<p class="p1"><b>Best with tapas</b></p>
<p class="p1">Gastronomic Rioja at an amazing price. You can see how young it is from the purple red colour and then the aroma is all about violets and wild herbs, with raspberry fruit and then spicy leather and some chocolate. This would be brilliant with all kinds of meaty snacks. You could even serve it a little chilled.</p>
<p class="p1">Available from:<br>
<a href="https://www.coop.co.uk/products/muriel-tempranillo-rioja-806062" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Co-op (£7.50)</span></a></p>
<h3 class="p1">Bodegas Mateos La Mateo Colecciòn de Familia Vendimia, Rioja 2020/21</h3>
<p class="p1">Available from <a href="https://shop.oxfordwine.co.uk/products/bodegas-mateos-la-mateo-coleccion-de-familia-vendimia-rioja" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Oxford Wine Company (£30)</span></a></p>
<p class="p1"></p><div class="image-handler__container image-handler__container–full" style="padding-bottom: calc(100% * (350 / 700));">
<picture>
<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C150, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C300 2x" type="image/webp">
<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C150, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C300 2x" type="image/jpeg">
<source media="(max-width: 375px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=355%2C178" type="image/webp">
<source media="(max-width: 375px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?quality=90&resize=355%2C178" type="image/jpeg">
<source media="(max-width: 425px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=405%2C203" type="image/webp">
<source media="(max-width: 425px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?quality=90&resize=405%2C203" type="image/jpeg">
<source media="(max-width: 589px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=554%2C277" type="image/webp">
<source media="(max-width: 589px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?quality=90&resize=554%2C277" type="image/jpeg">
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<source media="(min-width: 768px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=408%2C204" type="image/webp">
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<source media="(min-width: 590px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=556%2C278" type="image/webp">
<source media="(min-width: 590px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?quality=90&resize=556%2C278" type="image/jpeg">
<img class="wp-image-883611 align size-full image-handler__image image-handler__image–full no-wrap js-lazyload" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/04/La-Mateo700-656946c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C310" width="700" height="350" alt="A bottle of Bodegas Mateos La Mateo Colecciòn de Familia Vendimia, Rioja 2020/21" title="Bodegas Mateos La Mateo Colecciòn de Familia Vendimia, Rioja 2020/21">
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</div>
<p class="p1"><b>Best single vineyard wine</b></p>
<p class="p1">After years where blending across regions was common, some producers in Rioja have begun to bottle single vineyard wines as they do in Burgundy or Barolo. And from tasting this, we can see why. This wine combines huge power and concentration with grace and deliciousness. It’s one that needs time to open up so decant and serve it with suitably meaty food.</p>
<p class="p1">Available from:<br>
<a href="https://shop.oxfordwine.co.uk/products/bodegas-mateos-la-mateo-coleccion-de-familia-vendimia-rioja" target="_blank" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer"><span class="s1">Oxford Wine Company (£30)</span></a></p>
<h2>More on wine</h2>
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<a href="/review/best-english-sparkling-wine">The best English sparkling wine</a><br>
<a href="/howto/guide/pairing-wine-food-simple-guide">Pairing wine with food: A simple guide</a><br>
<a href="/howto/guide/fresh-look-challenging-malbec">Why you should be drinking French malbec</a></p>
<h2>The best drinks, taste tested</h2>
<p><a href="/review/best-champagne-taste-tested">Best champagne </a><br>
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<a href="/review/best-rose-wine-taste-tested" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Best rosé</a><br>
<a href="/review/best-whisky">Best classic whisky</a><br>
<a href="/review/best-brandy-taste-tested">Best brandy</a></p>
<p><em>If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at [email protected].</em></p>
<p><strong>What do you think? Do you have a favourite rioja? We’d love to hear from you below… </strong></p>
The 10 best rioja wines taste tested
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