Country: Spain Region: Rioja Varietal: Tempranillo Certified Organic Vintage: 2020 Colour: Red Style: Dry Producer: Bodegas Moraza Description: Bodegas Moraza is an insight into the history of Rioja, but more importantly into its future. For six generations the Moraza family have grown grapes and produced wine in the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, but in 2011 when Janire Moraza took over, change occurred. Having spent time abroad studying, Janire saw the changes occurring in wine agriculture around the world as well as a desire from consumers for more digestible wines. Upon returning home she convinced her father and uncle to convert completely to organic farming and seek new opportunities exporting their wine. Until then all wine had been sold in Spain. The village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, is located in Rioja Alta, high above the Ebro river, the vineyards sitting at the base of the Cantabrian and Toloño Mountain ranges. With altitude between 450 – 650 meters, the climate is dry and cool, influenced by the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Cantabrian seas. This helps keep the grapes disease free with the vineyards have good airflow between the vines. The soils are composed of clay and limestone. The Moraza’s farm 23 hectares of native varietals; Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Viura and Tempranillo blanco, all certified organic. They are the first to pick in the village, ensuring a level of freshness. What sets them apart from other producers in Rioja is the winemaking. All red varieties are fermented and rested in concrete only, it’s an oak-free zone here! The concrete winery was built in 1983 with everything designed for gravity feed to the cellar. Their methods are traditional — how Janire’s grandfather’s generation made wine, before Rioja became industrialised and tailored to the international market. These are wines lower in alcohol without manipulation. Recent DO changes now permit village and parcel names to be printed on the labels, you will see this from the 2018 vintage. Janire produces pure, unadulterated expressions of Tempranillo and Grenache. This is the new face of Rioja, the new Spain. Tasting Note:  The cool nights up there deliver acid-driven Tempranillo that is pure and fresh. Raised in concrete, raspberries and cranberries with tobacco leaf, a little spice and chewy tannins.