# Viña Arana Gran Reserva (2017)

- **Producer:** La Rioja Alta
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Tempranillo, Graciano
- **Region:** Rioja, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €45
- **Vegan:** No
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** raspberry, blackberry, redcurrant, cherry, plum, black pepper, vanilla, cloves, coconut, cedar, toast, leather, tobacco, forest floor, game, caramel

## About this wine

Founded in 1890 in Haro's legendary Station District, La Rioja Alta, S.A. is a benchmark producer of traditional Rioja. The Viña Arana bottling, named in honor of one of the founding families, underwent a significant evolution starting with the 2012 vintage. Previously a Reserva, it was elevated to Gran Reserva status to showcase a more vibrant, modern-classic style. The 2017 vintage was marked by a severe spring frost that drastically reduced yields across the region, but the estate's meticulously managed plots survived to produce exceptionally concentrated, high-quality fruit. This wine represents a harmonious bridge between Rioja's historic soul and contemporary precision.

## Interesting facts

- Starting with the 2012 vintage, Viña Arana was elevated from Reserva to Gran Reserva, introducing Graciano to the blend.
- La Rioja Alta, S.A. manufactures its own American oak barrels in-house and racks them traditionally by candlelight.
- The 2017 vintage suffered a historic spring frost, resulting in highly concentrated fruit but extremely limited production.

## Food pairing

This Gran Reserva's vibrant acidity cuts through the richness of roasted meats, while its fine-grained tannins bind beautifully with animal proteins. The complex tertiary notes of cedar, leather, and spice harmonize with earthy elements like mushrooms and game, while the lingering red fruit core complements berry-based reductions.

## Wine making process

The grapes, consisting of 95% Tempranillo from Rodezno and 5% Graciano from Fuenmayor, are hand-harvested and transported in refrigerated vehicles. After optical sorting, alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at 27°C for 16 days, followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation. In March 2018, the wine was transferred to American oak barrels crafted in the winery's in-house cooperage, with an average wood age of 4.5 years. The wine aged for 36 months in barrel, undergoing traditional barrel-to-barrel racking by candlelight every six months to naturally clarify the wine before bottling in January 2022.