Evidence of vine cultivation and wine production dates all the way back to the 2nd century B.C.  Later on, the Romans also cultivated the land yet it largely proliferated following the Christian Reconquista. At the beginning of the 20th century, La Rioja did not escape the devastating phylloxera plague that sank many farmers into ruin. After that black epoch, La Rioja re-planted its vineyards and came out ahead.  The culmination of the efforts of the vine growers and wineries throughout all of that time came in 1991 when La Rioja became a Qualified Designation of Origin. Nowadays, most of the vineyards are located at between 300 and 900 meters in altitude. This wine-making region is divided into the Lower La Rioja, the Upper Rioja and La Rioja Alavesa. The latter two enjoy a cooler climate whereas the first has a more Mediterranean climate. La Rioja wines are currently exported all over the world and its red wines have earned many international awards and words of recognition.   Torres Ibérico Rioja  Rioja, Spain *** Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge ****** Gold Medal at the Indy International Wine Competition *** Altos Ibéricos takes its name from Alto Otero, a beautiful place where the winery is situated in the town of Labastida, north of the Iberian Peninsula. He has an opaque cherry red color. Floral (Damascus rose) and fruit (strawberry, raspberry) aromas with spicy and smoky notes imparted by oak aging. Velvety, smooth, with fine, juicy tannins. 2 x 75cl Bottles   Manzanos Rioja, Crianza Rioja, Spain  *** Bronze Medal at the International Wine Challenge *** *** Bacchus de Plata at Concurso International de Vinos de Madrid *** Bodegas Manzanos is located on a natural scenic lookout with a vertical drop of about 50 meters, right where the rivers Ebro and Ega converge – the cradle where the appellation of Rioja wine was born. The commitment of five generations of the Fernández Manzanos family results in this winery, whose viticultural tradition dates back to 1890. 2 x 75cl Bottles     Vega Del Rayo Rioja  Rioja, Spain *** Commended at the Decanter World Wine Awards *** Grapes for the Vega del Rayo wines are sourced from this family company's 200 hectares estate in the Rioja Alta. The first vintage was 2003, and they have since won many top international awards and gone from strength to strength. 2 x 75cl Bottles   Marques de la Concordia, Crianza ReservaRioja, Spain *** Silver Medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles ****** Bronze Medal at the San Fransisco International Wine Competition *** *** Silver Medal at Mundus Vini *** Marqués de la Concordia brings together the best of both the New and the Old World - New World style and Old World terroir. Using only the very best grapes, they have created a Rioja Reserva of extremely high quality that will improve with further bottle ageing. This Reserva shows complex aromas of ripe fruit, cedar and spice, which develop into a smooth, velvety palate with powerful dark fruit flavours, hints of coffee and an almost chocolatey richness. Savour now as an accompaniment to slow roasted shoulder of lamb with a balsamic reduction. 2 x 75cl Bottles    Beronia Crianza  Rioja, Spain  *** Gold Medal at Long Beach Grand Cru  *** *** Silver Medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition *** A very close relationship is maintained with the more than 200 growers who suppply grapes to beronia guaranteeing only the best quality grapes are selected and that the process is carried out in the most natural way. All of the grapes used in the production of Beronia wines are carefully selected from the vineyards by Beronia winemaker Matias Calleja, parcel by parcel. Deciding from the vineyard for which wine the grapes will be used depending on the characteristics shown. 2 x 75cl Bottles     Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo Rioja  Rioja, Spain  *** Gold Medal at Concours International de Bruxelles *** *** 91 Points - Cellar Tracker  *** *** 87 Points - Wine Spectator *** Bodegas Ramón Bilbao is situated in a privileged location: Haro, in Rioja Alta, a paradise where Rioja’s emblematic grape variety, Tempranillo, grows best. From vines with an average age of 40 years, this concentrated, intense Rioja is a blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha. This soft and supple wine is vibrant ruby in colour with aromas of red cherry and blackberry fruit and slight hints of vanilla on the medium bodied palate. Well structured with a long and pleasant finish which would be ideal with red meat stews and cheeses. 2 x 75cl Bottles