*I received two complimentary bottles of Rioja from Roberson Wine.
If you've been reading my blog for a while, then you know that I'm in love with Spain.
We visited earlier this year and had a fabulous time.
We were introduced the Spanish wine Rioja at the Rioja Tapas Fantasticas and we both loved it.
When Roberson Wine offered to send us a few bottles to sample at home, how could we resist?
The bottles arrived packaged safely and I tucked them away for a special occasion.
It was quite difficult to keep Matthew from taking a corkscrew to them until last weekend.
We had some friends over and it was the perfect time to open the Rioja.
(But not before I pretended to be a food and wine stylist with more grapes from the garden.)
"Vanilla and dried berry aromas on the nose. Rich and dry on the palate with smooth, well developed tannins. A nicely balanced wine."
"This Reserva Rioja from Decenio is made from low-yielding 70 year-old Tempranillo vines. The wine is matured in French oak barrels for 24 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered to retain its character and flavour. A developed nose of blackcurrant, tobacco and leather, this is not a big blockbuster wine, and that’s a good thing. It is light on its feet, wonderfully balanced and refreshing to drink."
They were both lovely, but the gang's favorite was the Tondonia Reserva.
It had great "legs" and was very rich. (That's about all of the wine talk that I know.) Matthew certainly approved.

I see much more Rioja and tapas in our near future.
Next weekend, I'm off for a 3 night cruise with MSC Cruises.
The last stop is Barcelona where Matt will join me for a few extra days enjoying Spain!
The last stop is Barcelona where Matt will join me for a few extra days enjoying Spain!
How do you feel about Rioja and tapas?
¡Salud!