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Rioja Masters 2014: The medalists

Rioja has the scope, accessibility and innovation that allows the region to tick nearly every box.

Few wine regions can truly claim the sort of collective brand status that makes it a household name, but, however vague people’s understanding of its identity, Rioja has carved itself just such a coveted position. That familiarity helped the region to sell a record 277 million litres of wine in 2013, of which Spain accounted for almost two thirds.

However UK consumers’ thirst for Rioja has made it by far the region’s largest export market, accounting for 32.8m litres in 2013 – almost double that of number two market Germany.

What makes this success so striking is that consumers clearly feel confident in the style they expect from Rioja, but – as the broad spectrum of categories tasted in The Drinks Business Rioja Masters demonstrates – the reality is a diversity seen in few other wine regions. When prices range across the board, as does its signature oak influence, Rioja can mean anything from primary fruit-led styles for immediate drinking to tobacco-laced, leathery wines with 50 years ahead of them. Add to the mix its no less polarised white expressions, not to mention the ambitious but classification-defying “Vino de Autor”, and the value of a dedicated, expert assessment of this region becomes ever-more clear.

VALUE AND VARIETY

In addition to picking out individual star performers across each price bracket or category, the results of this year’s competition highlight areas where Rioja offers particularly consistent quality and value for money. The good news for consumers is that there’s plenty of both these two factors on offer at very accessible prices. For Hugo Rose MW, director of fine wine merchant Vinsignia, there were rich pickings below £10.

Ian Waddington, group wine buyer at Gordon Ramsay Holdings

“The high marks awarded to a good range in the lowest price category continues to speak of the value for money offered by Rioja,” he observed, picking out crianza as a particular “sweet spot”. Indeed, it was crianza and reserva – an increasingly popular style in Rioja’s export markets according to the DO – that attracted the most effusive plaudits from this year’s judges. Describing these two categories as offering “always sure value”, José Godoy, restaurant manager at Arzak’s London partnership Ametsa, also highlighted the “incredible complexity” offered by mature gran reserva as he summed up: “I believe that Rioja in general has the best value for money among the best known wine regions in the world.” That certainly appears to be the view of Laithwaites’ customers, as the retailer’s consultant winemaker and senior buyer Robin Langton confirmed that Rioja is a “huge” part of its business. “We’re gaining the most traction in terms of crianza,” he reported. “For me, it’s probably the most interesting segment where you can find real value.”

Going for gold

One company stands out from this year’s winners: Rioja Alavesa group Araex, which scooped no fewer than 19 medals, including three Golds and the top accolade of Master for its Baigorri Reserva. The result marked a vindication of managing director Javier Ruiz de Galarreta’s decision in 1993 to bring together nine small or medium-sized wineries from the region into a single group. “This has been a fantastic achievement, by far the best of any company,” he rejoiced.Last year Araex Rioja Alavesa saw growth of 52%, with 10.5m bottles sold in more than 70 countries. Setting out his mission “to tell everyone about the quality of Spanish premium wine and the confidence we had in it”, Ruiz de Galarreta remains committed to staying ahead of the pack. Outlining each winery’s involvement in the “long-term innovation process that is vital to continue offering great wines” he adds: “The door is wide open to a new era full of opportunities”.

There was further praise for the region from Ian Waddington, group wine buyer at Gordon Ramsay Holdings. Declaring himself “impressed” by the overall quality of wines on show during the tasting, he asserted: “There were enough wines of real interest and which represented good value for money to ensure the region’s guaranteed presence on most wine lists”.

STRENGTH A WEAKNESS?

That’s not to suggest Rioja offers a completely consistent playground for its fans. Simon Field MW, Spanish buyer for Berry Bros & Rudd, drew a parallel with the similarly powerful regional brand of Champagne as he warned that what is in many respects an enviable position also leaves the category exposed to “mediocre quality, quite a lot of discounting, and the general impression that the winemakers cherish the reputation of the brand more than the impulse to improve the raw materials.” In his view the most rewarding categories were perhaps not the most obvious Rioja styles: its unoaked joven classification and the region’s white wines, which account for no more than 10% of total production, despite a push by the consejo in recent years to redress this balance. White Rioja also attracted emphatic praise from Rose, who noted the “exceptional” quality offered from these flights in the competition, adding: “classic white Rioja is a massively underrated category.”

For all the exceptions that exist today, Rioja remains a region that is closely associated with oak maturation. Indeed, the DO’s entire classification system is based largely upon this influence. Reassuringly therefore, judges’ feedback on this element was largely positive. “What impressed me throughout, above joven of course, was the judicious use of oak,” remarked Rose. Reviewing wines tasted during the course of the day he noted: “Oak rarely smothered the fruit component, and surprisingly we were not blasted with once-usual banana, popcorn and vanilla of overt US oak.”

With oak management given the all clear, debate centred instead on those wines that fell outside or strained the boundaries of Rioja’s traditional classification system. Agustin Trapero, head sommelier at Launceston Place, argued that producers wishing to pursue more alternative styles should avoid shoe-horning them into the official DO hierarchy so as not to create confusion among consumers. “I am not against modern styles of Rioja, in fact I think they are even necessary to be able to reach different markets and palates, but what I think is a big mistake is that those modern full-bodied Riojas are classified as crianza, reserva, and gran reserva”, he maintained. Instead, Trapero suggested, “they should be classified as Vino de Autor or Vino de la Tierra to keep the style and tradition of Rioja.”

Rioja Masters categories

RIOJA JOVEN
Young wines which typically have spent no time in oak, or just a few months maximum in barrel before release. Most Bianco and Rosado Rioja falls into the Joven category.
CRIANZA
These are Riojas which have been aged for at least two years with a minimum of 12 months in oak.
RESERVA
This category is for Riojas which have been aged for at least three years, with a minimum of 12 months in oak.
GRAN RESERVA
These are Riojas which have been aged for at least five years with a minimum of 24 months in oak.
VINOS DE AUTOR
These are winemaker’s “icon” style wines, otherwise dubbed “new wave wines” from Rioja, which carry no age statement but generally spend at least a year in barrique, frequently made from new French oak.
RIOJA 15 YEARS AND OLDER
We also included a category of old Rioja to group together older expressions for which the region is well-known. These were typically gran reservas.

From a stylistic rather than communication perspective, Clement Robert, head sommelier at London restaurant Medlar, acknowledged: “I think the more modern style split opinions.” Expressing a personal wariness of Rioja wines made “in the fashion of the New World”, he continued: “I am in the favour of high quality wine but I am not sure that high fruit extraction and 100% new oak allied with more modern techniques are what consumers expect or want from Rioja.”

PUSHING BOUNDARIES

For all this concern, at an individual level there was plenty of evidence for the successful results that producers with a more iconoclastic outlook can achieve. Indeed, Waddington noted, “I think there needs to be room for experimentation, Rioja isn’t a museum.” Meanwhile Godoy cited producers such as Amaren and Baigorri, which took home a Gold and Master award respectively, as prime examples of those producers pursuing a more modern style of Rioja. In his view, “I think it is always good to see that a region is trying to be innovative. It shows that they want to improve their products and that is beneficial for the consumers.”

However, where Godoy did express concern was in the challenge of knowing what to expect from wines in the Vino de Autor category. Typically denoting wines at the very top of a producer’s range, these wines are often used to show off a particularly good site or year but, similarly to Chianti’s Super Tuscans, are made in a way that falls outside the official requirements of their denomination. For Godoy, “the absence of regulation in the category of Vinos de Autor makes it more difficult for the consumers to understand those wines.” This tension between ancient and modern, maverick and traditionalist, is hardly unique to Rioja. As demonstrated by the results, judges were happy to reward the best examples in each of these camps. Indeed, here the Masters’ emphasis not just on recruiting expert palates but encouraging discussion ensured that talent was distinguished from shallow artifice and rewarded. The medal winners here should offer some guidance to Rioja as it treads the line between exploring fresh possibilities and alienating the millions who remain loyal to this impressive brand.

L-R: ROBIN LANGTON senior buyer & consultant winemaker, Laithwaites Wine; IAN WADDINGTON, group wine buyer, Gordon Ramsey Group; JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ GODOY, head sommelier, Ametsa, Halkin Hotel; CLEMENT ROBERT, head sommelier & wine buyer, Medlar; GABRIEL STONE managing editor, the drinks business; PATRICK SCHMITT, editor-in-chief, the drinks business; HUGO ROSE MW director, Vinsignia; AGUSTIN TRAPERO head sommelier, Launceston Place; SIMON FIELD MW buyer, Berry Bros & Rudd

About the competition

The Rioja Masters is a competition conceived and managed by the drinks business and an extension of its successful Masters series for Champagne, fortified wines and grape varieties from Chardonnay to Pinot Noir. The competition is exclusively for Rioja and comprised over 100 entries, which were judged by a selection of highly experienced tasters using Schott Zwiesel Cru Classic glasses supplied by Wine Sorted.
The top Riojas were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those wines that were deemed by the judges to be outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Rioja Master.
The wines were tasted on a single day at York & Albany in London.

The medalists: Joven

Company Wine Vintage Price (£) Results
Bodegas La Báscula La Báscula The Charge Rioja 2011 0-10 Gold
Bodegas Casa Primicia Carravacas de Primicia Tinto 2013 0-10 Silver
Bodegas Faustino Faustino VII 2012 0-10 Silver
Bodegas Ontañón Ontañón Ecologico Rioja 2012 0-10 Silver
Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Tempranillo 5M 2013 0-10 Bronze
Pagos Del Rey Castillo de Albai Tempranillo 2013 0-10 Bronze
Bodegas Artesa Artesa Organic Rioja 2012 0-10 Bronze
Bodegas Corral Don Jacobo Ecological 2010 0-10 Bronze
Viñedos de Aldeanueva Azabache Tempranillo 2013 0-10 Bronze
Bodegas Y Viñedos De Gomez Cruzado Gomez Cruzado Blanco 2013 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas del Medievo Rioja Finca de Oro 2013 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida Montebuena Madurado 2013 20-30 Bronze

The medalists: Crianza

Company Wine Vintage Price (£) Results
Miguel Torres Altos Ibéricos Crianza 2012 10-20 Gold
Viñedos de Aldeanueva Azabache Vendimia Seleccionada 2011 0-10 Silver
Viñedos de Aldeanueva Azabache Ecologico Crianza 2011 10-20 Silver
Bodegas Fernández de Piérola Fernández de Piérola 2010 10-20 Silver
United Wineries Federico Paternina Selección Especial 2009 10-20 Silver
Bodegas Marqúes de Murrieta Marqúes de Murrieta Capellania White 2009 10-20 Silver
Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres Marqués de Cáceres Excellens Cuvee Especial 2011 10-20 Silver
United Wineries Marqués de la Concordia Crianza 2010 10-20 Silver
Bodegas Lar de Paula Lar de Paula Blanco Fermentado en Barrica 2012 20-30 Silver
Bodegas Luis Cañas Luis Cañas Crianza 2011 20-30 Silver
Altos de Rioja Viticultores y Bodegueros Altos de La Guardia Crianza 2011 20-30 Silver
Bodegas Lar de Paula Lar de Paula Crianza 2010 20-30 Silver
The Grand Wines Premium Rolland Galarreta Rioja 2010 20-30 Silver
Bodegas Baigorri Baigorri Blanco Fermentado en Barrica 2013 30+ Silver
Bodegas Baigorri Baigorri Garnacha 2010 30+ Silver
Bodegas Palacio Glorioso Cranza 2011 0-10 Bronze
Bodegas Faustino Faustino VI 2011 0-10 Bronze
Bodegas Riojanas Puerta Vieja Crianza Seleccion 2011 0-10 Bronze
Viñedos de Aldeanueva Fincas de Azabache Garnacha 2011 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Paco García Paco García Crianza 2011 10-20 Bronze
Viña Herminia Viña Herminia Garnacha 2010 10-20 Bronze
Viña Salceda Puente de Salceda 2010 10-20 Bronze
The Grand Wines Premium Rolland Galarreta Rioja 2011 20-30 Bronze
Bodegas Marqúes de Murrieta Marqúes de Murrieta Dalmau 2009 30+ Bronze
Bodegas Baigorri Baigorri Crianza 2010 30+ Bronze

The medalists: Reserva

Company Wine Vintage Price (£) Results
Reserva Bodegas Baigorri Baigorri Reserva 2007 30+ Master
Bodegas Muriel Viña Muriel Blanco 2010 10-20 Gold
Pagos Del Rey Castillo de Albai Reserva 2010 10-20 Gold
Bodegas Lar de Paula Lar de Paula Reserva 2009 20-30 Gold
Bodegas Fernández de Piérola Vitium 2005 20-30 Gold
Bodegas Amaren Amaren Tempranillo Reserva 2006 30+ Gold
Bodegas Valenciso Valenciso Reserva 2008 10-20 Silver
Bodegas Santalba Ermita de San Felices Rioja Reserva 2009 10-20 Silver
Bodega El Coto Coto de Imaz Rioja Reserva 2008 10-20 Silver
Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida Clos Montebuena Reserva 2009 20-30 Silver
Grupo Vinicola Marqués de Vargas Marqués de Vargas Reserva Privada 2007 20-30 Silver
Bodegas Baigorri Baigorri Garage 2009 30+ Silver
Bodegas Muriel Muriel Reserva 2010 0-10 Bronze
Bodegas Palacio Glorioso Reserva 2009 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Muriel Viña Muriel Reserva 2008 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Y Viñedos De Gomez Cruzado Gomez Cruzado Reserva 2008 10-20 Bronze
Viñedos de Aldeanueva Azabache Reserva 2010 10-20 Bronze
Grupo Vinicola Marqués de Vargas Marqués de Vargas Reserva 2010 10-20 Bronze
Campo Viejo Campo Viejo Reserva 2009 10-20 Bronze
Grupo Vinicola Marqués de Vargas Marqués de Vargas Reserva 2009 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Riojanas Viña Albina Reserva 2008 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Reserva 2008 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Fernández de Piérola Fernández de Piérola Reserva 2005 10-20 Bronze
Altos de Rioja Viticultores y Bodegueros Altos de La Guardia Tempranillo 2012 20-30 Bronze
Bodegas Luis Cañas Luis Cañas Reserva 2009 30+ Bronze

The medalists: Gran Reserva

Company Wine Vintage Price (£) Results
Bodegas Corral Don Jacobo Gran Reserva 1998 10-20 Gold
Bodegas Palacio Glorioso Gran Reserva 2006 10-20 Silver
Bodegas Casa Primicia Carravacas de Primicia Gran Reserva 2005 10-20 Silver
Baron Amarillo Baron Amarillo Rioja Gran Reserva 2008 0-10 Bronze
Campo Viejo Campo Viejo Gran Reserva 2008 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Riojanas Viña Albina Gran Reserva 2006 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Gran Reserva 2006 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Muriel Viña Muriel Gran Reserva 2006 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres Marqués de Cáceres Gran Reserva 2005 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Faustino Faustino Gran Reserva 2001 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Marqúes de Murrieta Marqúes de Murrieta Gran Reserva 2005 20-30 Bronze
Bodegas Valdemar Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva 2005 20-30 Bronze
Bodega El Coto Coto de Imaz Rioja Gran Reserva 2004 20-30 Bronze
Bodegas Luis Cañas Luis Cañas Gran Reserva 2007 30+ Bronze

The medalists: 15 years and older and Vinos de Autor

Company Wine Vintage Price (£) Results
15 years and Older
Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real 1978 30+ Master
Vinos de Autor
Bodegas Corral Altos de Corral Single Estate Reserva 2005 20-30 Gold
Altos de Rioja Viticultores y Bodegueros Altos de La Guardia Pigeage 2010 30+ Gold
Bodegas Y Viñedos De Gomez Cruzado Gomez Cruzado Vendimia Seleccionada 2013 10-20 Silver
Campo Viejo Campo Viejo Winemaker’s Art 2011 10-20 Silver
Bodegas Palacio Cosme Palacio Vendimia Seleccionada 2011 10-20 Silver
Viña Herminia Viña Herminia Excelsus 2011 10-20 Silver
Viña Salceda Conde de la Salceda 2009 20-30 Silver
Bodegas LAN LAN A Mano 2010 30+ Silver
Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres Gaudium Gran Vino 2008 30+ Silver
Bodegas Valdemar Inspiración Valdemar Selección 2011 10-20 Bronze
Bodegas Muriel Marqués de Elciego Edición Limitada 2010 20-30 Bronze

2 responses to “Rioja Masters 2014: The medalists”

  1. AJ Linn says:

    As a wine writer living in Spain and a long-time fan of Rioja, I was somewhat puzzled at the make-up of the medalists’ list. You give no explanation as to how the wines were selected but there are many great Riojas not included.

  2. Adolf says:

    Santalba Ermita San Felices reserva won silver medal, but it is one of the best Rioja wine i have ever tasted.

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