‘The Villages of Rioja’ Wine Dinner

For more than a decade, The Spanish Acquisition (Australian importer) has been utterly focused on Rioja’s village expressions, rather than oak and ageing. To put this focus in context, we’d note that it’s very difficult to confuse a good red-and-round Barolo La Morra with a top blue-and-firm Barolo Serralunga, and they have little in common despite notionally both being ‘Barolo’. Likewise, Village Riojas when made to reflect their location barely relate: Lantziego (Telmo and Pablo), Briones (Miguel and Erika), Sajazarra (Eva and Oscar), Abalos (the Fernandez family), Labastida (Remelluri) and San Vicente (Jose Gil) give irreducibly singular expressions. In Rioja’s most interesting villages we find outstanding examples of wines which can only come from that village; these are wines which are grown-not-made.

There’s a serious, deeply historical movement underway in Rioja, returning to the expressions of the region’s 134 villages. Telmo and Pablo started it, and nowadays many follow. In this tasting, we remove the focus from generic industrial influences of oak and ageing, and zoom in on the soils and aspects of Rioja’s beautiful villages. In the process, we taste the outright superstars of a great wine region which is regaining its feel for itself. Please join us for a dinner that should deliver education and enjoyment in equal measure.

The lineup:

Real Agrado Viura 2025

Claríto A Clarete Of Viura-Garnacha 2023

Alegre & Valgañón Viura 2024

Real Agrado Rioja Garnacha 2024

Abeica 'Chulato' Tempranillo Joven (Rioja) 2025

Alegre & Valgañón Tempranillo-Garnacha 2023

Castillo De Cuzcurrita 'Senorio De Cuzcurrita' Tempranillo 2021

Urbina Crianza Tempranillo 2015

Abeica Tempranillo, Rioja Del Pueblo Ábalos 2023

Jose Gil Vino De Pueblo San Vicente Rioja 2024

Miguel Merino Rioja De Pueblo Briones 2023

Miguel Merino 'La Quinta Cruz' Mazuelo Single Vineyard 2022

Remelluri 'La Granja' 2016