Deep ruby-black color; black plum, black cherry, blackcurrant, blueberry, raspberry, green pepper, almonds, walnuts, chocolate, mint, balsamic on the nose and palate.
Dry; good, well-behaved tannins and balancing acidity are well integrated within a toasty oak regimen. Medium body. Very smooth and pleasing in the mouth. Fruit forward without being jammy. Fresh, elegant. Hand-selected graciano grapes experience cold maceration to heighten color and aromas. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with periodic pumpovers, followed by malolactic conversion. Aged seven months in new French oak, followed by six months of bottle aging before release. 13.5% ABV
Graciano is Spain’s #3 red grape after tempranillo and garnacha. It often is encountered as a blending grape, its color, acidity, and aromatic complexity augmenting tempranillo. The grape gets its name from its ability to give wines grace or panache by providing color, freshness, and aromatics to blends. It also now emerges as a pure varietal—this effort. Graciano typically has low yields, late ripening, and sensitivity downy and powdery mildew. When farmed and managed carefully, as Beronia has done, the reward is a tasty, versatile wine with ability to age.
Beronia Rioja is part of González Byass Family wine group. The Beronia website presents the winery’s history: “Beronia was founded in 1973 by a group of businessmen, friends from the Basque country who would come to La Rioja on holiday. The friends had a great love of food and wine and created their own gastronomic society, or txoko as it is called locally, in the area. They decided, to produce their own wines to enjoy with the local cuisine, specializing in Reserva and Gran Reserva style wines. The winery was integrated into the González Byass Family of Wine group in 1982 and began an expansion into international markets. Today Beronia is one of the most renowned Spanish wineries both in international and domestic markets, producing pure and traditional Rioja wines with their own personality and Beronia style.”
Rioja is the best known Spanish wine region. It lies in the valley of the Ebro River with the Cantabrian mountains to the north and Demanda range to the south and encompasses 140,850 acres of vines that produce more than 66 million gallons of wine.
The region gets its name from the Oja River (Rio Oja in Spanish) and is divided into three regions: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, and Rioja Baja. Bodegas Beronia is located in the village of Ollauri in north-central Spain and the heart of Rioja Alto. Rioja Alta is on the western edge of Rioja and is higher in elevation—thus the name—and is known for its old world style of wines. The higher elevation means a shorter growing season and wines with bright fruit flavors and wines lighter on the palate, thus the medium body in this effort. Tempranillo and graciano are the principal red grapes of Rioja Alta.
Beronia Graciano Rioja, España DOCa 2020 delivers complexity and fun drinkability from Spain’s number three red grape, more often encountered as a blender. This is pure graciano effort from a major, respected maker. Ripe black and red fruits dominate the tasting experience, with tannin, acidity, and oak playing supporting roles. A premium Rioja offering worth an effort to secure it. $27
Pairing—hearty beef or lamb stews; barbecued brisket; grilled meats in general. Venison, venison stew, wild boar. Moroccan tagine with complex spices. Pork osso bucco with slow braising; spicy sausages, chorizo, salami; grille pork with smoky, charred flavors. Grilled chicken with robust sauces. Comfort food—burgers, pizza, meatloaf. Oily fish with rich sauces. Cheese—aged manchego; idiazábal (smoked sheep’s milk cheese from Basque Country); mahón; Spanish blue cheeses (cabrales, valdeón); aged cheddar, aged gouda.
