Earlier this month, world-renowned wine expert Pedro Ballesteros hosted a Rioja wine tasting seminar for 24 participants in the second edition of “Rioja Camp”, an exchange training program focused on Rioja wines, which offers global wine professionals and enthusiasts the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of Spanish Rioja.

 

 

The theme of the event was “Excellence in Rioja”, which delved into the exceptional quality of Rioja wines and the many reasons why it has been able to solidify its reputation as one of the world’s top wine regions.

 

Pedro opened the event by saying, “Together we will identify the distinguishing characteristics of Rioja’s past, present and future through clues in the glass. The excellence of Rioja’s wines is more than artistry, made possible by factors such as the right place and the right time.”

 

 

Pedro and the members tasted 12 Rioja wines that exemplify Rioja’s excellence from 12 different themes and perspectives, “Rioja’s identity is not based on a single style of wine, but rather on geography, a complex history, and a vibrant present,” according to Pedro.

 

Keeping in line with the theme of “excellence”, Pedro elaborated on Rioja’s “excellence in sustainability”, “excellence for future generations”, “excellence as a single vineyard” and “excellence as a single wine”. Excellence in Single Vineyards” and ‘Excellence in Old Vineyards’ and delved into the nuances of terroir, demonstrating the importance of Rioja as one of the wine regions with the largest number of old vineyards.

 

 

The event also dealt with further themes of “excellence”: “Excellence in the cellar” – savoring the art of winemaking; “Excellence in varieties” – indigenous grape varieties; and “Excellence in the vineyard” – the importance of the Rioja wine region as one of the largest in terms of old vineyards. “Excellence in the Cellar” – savoring the art of winemaking; ‘Excellence in Varieties’ – the outstanding quality and uniqueness of indigenous grape varieties; and ‘Excellence in Time’ – the excellent aging potential of Rioja wines, “Excellence in Branding” – how wineries manifest their unique style and create high quality wines under the great brand of Rioja.

 

 

The tasting also explored themes such as “Blends of Excellence”, “Styles of Excellence”, “Regions/Cities of Excellence”, etc. Pedro summarized: “One of Rioja’s most precious assets , may be its ability to reinvent itself without losing its soul.”

 

The 12 themes of excellence and the wines for the tasting :