Rioja is Spain’s most famous wine region. Wines are known for their savory, dusty flavors and ability to age. Rioja is one of few European winemaking zones that enlists the use of American oak barrels.

Bodegas Ugalde is a historic winery, pioneer in making Rioja fine wines . The winery was founded in Haro in 1882 by Felipe Ugalde, one of the founding members of the rioja D.O.C. Bodegas Felipe Ugalde had a keen interest in exports from the beginning, in particular in South America where it had many agents widely distributed.

Two years American oak barrel ageing is used, with 5% of the wine in French oak, followed by a minimum of eighteen months botlle cellaring.

Almost any kind of lamb dish from roast lamb to tender lamb cutlets grilled over vine clippings (a local favourite in the region) to slow braised lamb shanks or even a rogan josh. Shepherd’s pie, Lancashire hotpot, merguez, moussaka . . . It’s hard to think of a lamb dish that doesn’t work with this wine.

Also, many pork dishes especially cooked Spanish style with beans. Chorizo and morcilla (black pudding) are both good pairings for younger riojas as are jamon (ham) and albondigas (meatballs) making red rioja a good match for more robust tapas.

Technical Sheet