{"product_id":"artadi-valdegines-alava-spain-tempranilllo-2023","title":"Artadi, Valdegines, Alava, Spain, Tempranilllo, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a deep dive into some real deal Rioja, the way that the wine used to be made. Rioja is probably Spain’s most famous wine making region but its popularity seems to have historically stemmed from mimicry, rather than authenticity. In the early 1900s wine makers from Bordeaux came to Rioja and transitioned the way the wines were being made into something that was more in the style of Bordeaux: Fuller bodied with more oak aging. But before the entire profile of Rioja could be overtaken, the region was hit with both world wars and phylloxera (the louse that wiped out most of Europe’s vines). From the 1950s on as Rioja rebuilt, the region was flush with larger wine makers sourcing grapes from many growers, not enough focus on terroir, lots of new oak usage and the region was treated as one large area without designations within it, like premier or grand cru sites to outline the different terroirs. All of this to say that Artadi was a master of the old Rioja, and has now removed Rioja from its labels so that it can highlight the different areas of the region that it produces. The estate is run by Patricia and Carlos, who want us to think of their exquisite vineyards and their amazing Tempranillo fruit, while we know this is Rioja, what they are presenting is so much more. This wine is outstanding, I love it so much. It's elegant, refined, soft, but really dynamic and age worthy if that is what you are getting into!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServing temp: Cellar temp, around 65 degrees, store in a dry and cool spot. \u003cbr\u003ePairing: Grilled lamb; ratatouille; cous cous tagine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Artadi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48767028363483,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0053\/2493\/1142\/files\/FullSizeRender_2_3.jpg?v=1778623086","url":"https:\/\/www.helenswines.com\/products\/artadi-valdegines-alava-spain-tempranilllo-2023","provider":"Helen's Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}