Rioja Lamb loves

mutton Easter feast?

Andrew Hoyle, WSET Level 3

1. QUEIRÓN MI LUGAR VINO DE QUEL, 14.5% £26

This award-winning Rioja is made from a blend of 90 per cent Tempranillo and 10 per cent Garnacha. All the grapes are sourced from selected vineyard parcels in and around Quel, including El Poeta, La Bartola and Hoyo Judio.

The wine spends 18 months in new oak barrels, then six months in large French oak foudres.

It has pronounced aromas of ripe black fruit and blueberries, backed by spice, mocha, fig and balsamic notes. The palate is generous with complex bramble and plum fruit characters, well-integrated oak and bright acidity.

ANDREW SAYS: ‘This is the epitome of what Rioja has to offer.

‘Structured and complex but built for the modern consumer, it's bursting with ripe black fruits and a hint of cherry. There's full-bodied, well-integrated oak with perfectly balanced tannins.

‘A dangerously easy-drinking red that's worth its weight in gold.’

A full-flavoured, super ripe modern style of Rioja, Ontañón Ecológico reveals ripe plum and dark cherry fruit notes with a twist of spice and gentle tannins. The Tempranillo grapes are sourced from certified organic vineyards at altitudes of around 500m. They're macerated for 20 days, and fermentation takes place at controlled temperatures. The wine then spends five months in both American and French oak barrels.

ANDREW SAYS: ‘If your preference is for a little less oak and more fruit then look no further than this youngster from sunny Rioja Oriental.

‘Expect rich plum and cherry fruits, a hint of black pepper, the smoothest of tannins and a subtle toasty oak.’

3. GATITO LOCO RIOJA BLANCO, 12.5%, £10.99

This is a modern wine that discards the hackneyed image of Rioja: everything about it is intentionally provocative to challenge your view of Rioja.

Clean and crisp, intense yet fresh, the peachy notes are supported by tropical passionfruit and mango, with citrus undertones and a long, complex finish.

PIP SAYS: ‘Produced using indigenous Viura (70%) and Tempranillo Blanco (30%) grape varieties and fermented in stainless steel with absolutely zero oak influence, this crazy little cat is delightfully fresh and zesty while showing enough weight to offer a complex mouthfeel.

‘Warm peach and nectarine take the lead, with vivacious passionfruit, silky mango and zingy citrus as backing singers.’

13.5%, £17.99

This limited-edition wine made from 100 per cent Tempranillo grapes spends 14 months in French oak barrels.

It shows a deep ruby colour in the glass, with notes of violets and fresh herbs on the nose. The palate is soft with black cherries and plum combined with balsamic, liquorice, black olive and toast notes from the time spent in oak.

PIP SAYS: ‘Wine has been grown and made on the Hacienda el Ternero site since 1077, a heritage the winery is extremely proud of.

‘Unlike most Rioja, which is matured in American oak, this is aged in new and second-year French oak for a softer, more approachable style.

‘This wine is the culmination of careful maturation of flavours over a long

Grown in central-northern Spain in the bordering autonomous communes of La Rioja, Navarre and Alava, almost all Riojas are blends, with the overwhelming varietal being Tempranillo. For over a century these wines have been grouped into three typical age classifications: period of time, so treat the food you serve alongside it the same. Slowcooked chicken and chorizo casserole, braised lamb shank or cured meats and cheeses will work best – aged wine loves slow food.’

Crianza. Aged for two years, with one of the years being in oak barrels (six months for white and rosé).

Reserva. Aged for three years, with one of the years in oak barrels and six months in the bottle (two and a half years for white and rosé).

Gran Reserva. Aged for at least five years, with two of the years in oak barrels and two in the bottle (white and rosé must have six months in the barrel).

There are also Generico (or ‘joven’) wines which are usually fruity, fresh and intended to be drunk when they are young.

5. GÓMEZ CRUZADO

BLANCO, 13.%, £15.99

Gomez Cruzado's Blanco 2 Ano is a Burgundy-style white Rioja which reflects the land, rather than purely varietal expression. The resulting white wine has character and weight while retaining fresh acidity and appealing aromatics.

On the nose there are notes of honeysuckle, stone fruit and gentle toasty oak. The palate is beautifully textured, with an almost exotic note, evident yet perfectly integrated oak, and ripe fruit.

Stock up for a long weekend of Easter celebrations and sample a selection of these must-try Riojas via the new Irresistible Rioja Selection mixed case.