From: Rioja, Spain
Varietal: 90% Tempranillo & 10% Garnacha
Taste: Clean, high intensity aromas of red & black fruit such us raspberry, bing cherry, blackcurrant. Gentle spices like sweet tobacco and clove round out the fruit, a hint of leather also present. On the palate, this little Rioja that could is shockingly fresh for its age, with soft, rounded tannins and medium in body. Those red & black fruit flavors and gentle baking spice notes follow on the palate, along with a slaty mineral hint and a long finish.
Pairing: Ideal accompaniment for cured ham, stews, game and meat dishes as well as paella, most other rice-focused cuisines & dishes that incorporate Mediterranean spices. We’re sharing J. Kenji López-Alt’s recipe for Vegan Turkish Kebabs With Sumac Onions and Garlic-Dill Mayonnaise as our pairing recommendation today to highlight a savory and meatless alternative.
About. The winery. The El Inquilino project is a new range of wines produced by the Bodegas Zorzal winery in the D.O.Ca. Rioja. Bodegas Zorzal was founded in 1989 with the purpose of rescuing the indigenous varieties of the area, with the philosophy that wine originates in the vineyard.
They currently own 40 hectares located near the municipality of Fitero, where the gentle topography creates a small oasis between all the vineyards on the lower bank of the Ebro river, giving them an extra freshness. 25 of these hectares are planted with Grenache. The rest are planted with Graciano and Tempranillo, together with white varieties like White Grenache and Viura.
