Gran Familia Rioja

A modern, fruit driven Spanish Rioja (pronounced ree-ork-ah) in a classic old skool European wine label – great value from Spain, yet again!

We were so stoked to see a new vintage of this wine roll off the boat into Aotearoa. Gran Familia has been getting rave reviews over the past couple of years and is now one of the UK’s fastest growing Rioja brands. NZ Master of Wine Steve Bennett scours Europe hunting down little gems to bring to NZ and he’s certainly got his mits on one here!

One of the world’s famous wine growing regions, Rioja is traditionally a blend of Tempranillo (temp-rah-knee-oh) and Grenache grown only in the La Rioja region of Spain. Gran Familia is 90% Tempranillo, this wine is all about the pure fruit driven, smooth and gloriously gluggable qualities that Tempranillo offers.

This latest 2021 release featured in Master of Wine Bob Campbell’s “Top 10 Reds for January 2023”. Scoring 90/100 Bob said “A blend of tempranillo and graciano grapes. Slightly rustic smooth-textured, medium-bodied red with vanilla. violet, chocolate/mocha and toasty oak flavours. Mellow wine that is at, or approaching, peak condition.”

Dust off the cork screw (you’ll need it here!) and pair this Spanish beauty with roasted and grilled red meats, especially lamb.