However, Rioja does encompass more. White Rioja can be made with a handful of different grapes, primarily Viura. Red grape varieties cover 90% of the vineyard area in Rioja and most of that is Tempranillo.
Other red grapes allowed are Garnacha, Mazuelo (Cariñena), and Graciano. Garnacha (also known as Grenache) can be easily found on the wine shop shelves, but the last two are more rare.
Imagine my surprise when I was strolling down the aisle of the Lidl grocery store when I saw a bottle of Graciano. Lidl is known for importing and selling wine at a low cost and you can find tasty bargains, especially for everyday drinkers.
I might have bought this bottle no matter the price. This bottle, however, was only $4.49!. That’s a price that is so low it gave me pause. However, it bears the label of Rioja, assuring you of a good quality.
A hundred percent Graciano Rioja is quite different from a Tempranillo. This Graciano is inky dark with a satin smooth body and a lovely juicy mouthfeel. It closes with a bit of minerality.
This isn’t a nuanced bottle that will win global awards, but it’s a delicious, fruit-forward dry wine. It might be just the thing to quench your thirst on a Tuesday evening.
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