August 28th is National Red Wine Day!

In my world, celebrating wine is an everyday way of life. But, since the calendar day-namers have arbitrary chosen TODAY to collectively celebrate the wonderful libation that is red wine, I will raise a glass in solidarity with my fellow Americans!

This week's feature is a Bold Rioja from La Rioja Alta. This wine is made of 100% Tempranillo and has all of the nuances of a well made Napa or Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon. I often call Tempranillo a 'gateway' wine from California Cab drinkers into the exciting world of European wines. Tempranillo at its core is a blank canvas, waiting for a winemaker to use some of the tricks in their bag to create fun, delicious and versatile wines that can suit any occasion.

In 1890, France's vineyards were ravaged by phylloxera and wine connoisseurs were looking for fine wine to fill the gap. A group of 5 quality conscious growers formed La Rioja Alta looking to export more Rioja wines and satisfy the wine needs of the world. Rioja had already caught the eye of many Bordeaux producers and experiments using Bordeaux techniques were proving successful. Pre-railway, the wines of Rioja were hard to distribute. The mountains that provide the necessary terroir and climatic conditions that make Rioja great were also a transportation barrier in late 19th century Spain. A rail link from Haro to Bilbao was constructed at the same time La Rioja Alta was founded and provided a pathway to the Atlantic's Bay of Biscay. With this new means of transportation, the world's access to the wines of Rioja was realized!

Tempranillo is Spain's number one red grape that has been made famous by the Rioja region. It is a red wine that can range from ruby red in a youthful expression to a dark garnet in a Reserve version. High in both tannin and acidity, the wines of Rioja are traditionally oaked for at least 1 year. American Oak is a popular choice, but some more traditional producers use European Oak. Similar flavors to Cabernet Sauvignon: black cherry, red cherry, graphite, aged versions can express tobacco, leather and other tertiary profiles.

La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Rioja Reserva is one of the classic expressions of the region. In fact, the Court of Master Sommeliers uses this very wine to blind taste Sommelier candidates for its representative markers of Rioja.