Rioja is considered to be one of the kings of red wine and to create a memorable, all-encompassing experience, it should probably be paired with an equally kingly dish – whatever that phrase means to you. Rioja is created with the Tempranillo grape in the north of Spain, so there are several wonderful regional pairings that you can try out. In general, it is also a fantastic wine to drink alongside meat or dishes with a lot of smokey, savory flavors.
Meat That Pairs Well With Rioja
Rioja comes in several tiers, which have all been aged in oak for different periods of time. For the upper echelon of Rioja (Reserva & Gran Reserva!), you can think about meats such as chorizo, lamb, beef or game. The latter three all provide a filling savory experience, and when prepared by grilling or roasting, they can also complement and enhance Rioja’s smokey side.
Chorizo is inherently spicy, so it’s hard to beat as a Rioja pairing. It’s perfect for bringing out the deep oak-imparted notes of baking spice. With younger, fresher Rioja wines (like Crianza or Genérico), you can look for slightly lighter meat pairings. Think along the lines of tapas and pork – whether it is cured or not.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Rioja
A good word to keep in mind when looking for cheese pairings is “rustic”. Rioja will work best with nutty, aged cheeses that are slightly rough around the edges. Manchego is a perfect example. It’s a Spanish goat’s cheese, hard yet crumbly, with a salty, zesty taste that will act as a counterpart to Rioja’s crisp acidity. It is also sometimes described as having a meaty aroma, making it a perfect match for Rioja’s smokey character. On a similar track, you can pair Rioja with other hard, nutty cheeses like Parmesan, Pecorino, or Gruyere. We recommend setting up a cheeseboard, and finding out which combination is best for you.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Rioja
If you’re set on regional pairing, Spanish cuisine comes with its own universe of finger food that can be paired with Rioja – we’re talking about tapas. Croquetas de jamón (or simply ham croquettes) are a gorgeous option, providing a mouth-watering cheesy sauce for Rioja’s acidity to play against, as well as a harmonic smokey flavor. Meatballs (or albondigas) are a great choice, as are the tomato-rich treats known as “patatas bravas”. You can also opt for some briny olives, which will make the wine seem all the more refreshing.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Rioja
These days, you can turn pretty much any meat-based dish into an equally delicious vegetarian meal. We recommend trying that out with something hearty, like shepherd’s pie or moussaka. These dishes both provide the smokey edge that Rioja craves. Barbecue foods, like grilled vegetables or stuffed peppers, are great options too. Finally, there are many bean-based dishes that are complex and bold enough to stand up to this red wine. A Mexican-style chili or a tomato-rich bean stew will enhance all of the detailed red fruit flavors that you get in a bottle of Rioja.
Herbs That Pair Well With Rioja
When cooking something to fit Rioja, think about which herbs you would use to enhance a rich, smokey piece of meat. Rosemary, thyme and oregano are all reliable flavors, as are slightly spicier ingredients like chili flakes, paprika and black pepper. Of course, you can also go the opposite way – herbs like lemongrass, cilantro and mint will provide a zingy, refreshing counterpoint to Rioja’s rustic character.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Rioja
Going back to that old adage – we don’t recommend pairing a red Rioja with oily or delicate fish, such as herring or trout. However, if the wine is tart and young enough, it could be paired with meatier seafood tapas, such as battered shrimp or a tuna steak. We would also disregard soft, mild cheeses, which will simply be overpowered by the wine.
Best Foods To Eat With Rioja
Rioja is a versatile and delicious wine to pair with food, but to bring out its best side, we suggest going for smokey, belly-warming dishes. These are 5 fantastic options – all that’s left is for you to experiment and find out what suits your palate best!
- Chorizo
- Lamb
- Tapas
- Manchego
- Bean Stew
