Marques de Riscal Wines from Rioja are certainly one of a kind.

Every wine region has their iconic wineries and Marques de Riscal is one of them. Brand Ambassador Jose Luis Muguiro brought these fine wines from Rioja to the SGWS academy. It is one of the oldest Rioja wineries founded in Elciego (Álava) in 1858 by Guillermo Hurtado de Amézaga and one of the first to make and age red wines using Bordeaux techniques.

Barón de Chirel wine first appeared in 1986, the result of experimental production using a selection of grapes from very old vines, between 80 and 110 years’ old. The wine is aged for 20 months in Bordeaux barrels made of French oak. It presents with dark cherry color in the glass, on the nose, toasted spicy aromas, ripe, dark-berried fruit jump out. The palate is creamy and elegant with light tannins on the finish.

Marqués de Riscal Reserva is made from Tempranillo vines first planted before 1970’s. The Reserva spends two years in American Oak barrels which gives the wine its characteristic, classic Rioja style that produces a fresh, fine, elegant wine suitable for ageing. The color is bright red cherry in the glass then moves to a nose with elements of ripe red fruit and toast. The finish is long, featuring soft tannins and a hint of oak.

The Grand Reserva uses grapes from 80-year-old estate vineyards. It is put into American oak casks where it ages for two and a half to three years, then a minimum of three years bottle ageing before release. Deep purple in the glass followed by a nose featuring hints of black fruit and spice that prepare for a finish with long soft tannins.
Its not all just about the wines with Marques de Riscal. They also have a 43-room hotel that is part of Starwood Hotel’s Luxury collection. The luxury boutique hotel features a fine dining restaurant headed up by Michelin Chef Francis Paniego who shows off the traditional gastronomic delights of the region. A combination of visiting these iconic wines with in the chic academy confines provided all who attended an increased knowledge and resect of fine wines from Rioja.