# Via Ardanza Reserva (2019)

- **Producer:** La Rioja Alta, S.A.
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Tempranillo, Garnacha
- **Region:** Rioja, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €34
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** redcurrant, cherry, plum, black pepper, liquorice, vanilla, cloves, cedar, smoke, leather, tobacco, mushroom, cinnamon

## About this wine

Founded in 1890 in Haro's historic Barrio de la Estacin, La Rioja Alta, S.A. is one of Rioja's defining classic producers. First bottled in 1942, Via Ardanza was named after one of the winery's founding families. The wine is unique for blending Tempranillo from Rioja Alta with Garnacha from Rioja Oriental. The 2019 vintage was officially rated 'Excellent' by the D.O.Ca. Rioja authority, marking an extraordinary milestone following a complete vintage skip in 2018.

## Interesting facts

- La Rioja Alta skipped producing Via Ardanza in 2018, jumping straight from 2017 to the exceptional 2019 vintage.
- The winery performs traditional barrel-to-barrel rackings by candlelight to separate lees naturally without aggressive filtration.
- La Rioja Alta maintains its own in-house cooperage to craft custom American oak barrels.
- Unlike most classic Riojas, Via Ardanza prominently features 20% Garnacha from Rioja Oriental in its blend.

## Food pairing

The wine's bright acidity and polished yet structured tannic backbone cut through fat in roasted red meats, game, and aged cheeses. Meanwhile, the subtle oak complexity, vanilla, and savory spice notes harmonize wonderfully with grilled crusts, herbs, and earthy mushroom dishes.

## Wine making process

Hand-harvested grapes undergo optical sorting at the winery. Alcoholic fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks, followed by natural malolactic fermentation. The Tempranillo is aged for 36 months in American oak barrels, while the Garnacha is aged for 30 months in American oak. The winery crafts its own oak casks in an in-house cooperage. Clarification occurs naturally through five traditional manual rackings by candlelight prior to bottling.