LONDON - KINGS CROSS - BAR RIOJA

We visited the newly opened Bar Rioja in the Regent Quarter in Kings Cross, London. It is part of the Camino group, which has a significant presence in this area.

This bar is dedicated to some of our favourite Spanish wines from the Rioja region of northern Spain. La Rioja, Spain's largest and most popular wine region, was the first to become internationally famous. It is also one of the 17 provinces of Spain, and the smallest.

It lies in the country's north, approximately 120km from west to east and 40km north to south, and just over an hour south of Bilbao. It borders the Basque Country to the north, Navarra to the northeast, Aragón to the southeast, and Castilla y León to the west and south. It is protected by the Sierra Cantabria mountain range to the north and the Sierra de la Demanda to the south, offering a breathtaking backdrop to this beautiful region.

The concept is that everyone should be able to try all the wines on the list. So, 43 wines are available by the glass, in 75cl and 125cl measures, and, of course, by the bottle.

The Coravin system is used to keep the best wines in optimum condition.

The bar is relatively small, but there is seating in the courtyard area, which is shared with the other Camino venues.

We tried a few of the tapas available, but had come mainly to try this new wine concept.

A few pintxos to start.

Jamón Ibérico

Queso Camero y membrillo (This is a cheese from Haro in La Rioja and is made from a minimum of 60% cow's milk, 20% sheep's milk, and 6% goat's milk, served with quince)

Alcachofas con salsa romesco (artichokes with Romesco sauce)

Patatas Bravas

Crispy potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and alioli.

Arroz Negro The house's signature creamy black rice is made with cuttlefish, squid ink, and alioli.

Then, onto the main event, the wines!

Compañía Bodeguera De Valenciso Rioja Blanco, Rioja Alta 2021 70% Viura, 30% Garnacha Blanca

Intense and impressive from 80-year-old vines, with preserved lemon flavours, gentle smoky notes, and a creamy texture. It is complex and elegant.

Abel Mendoza Garnacha Blanca, Rioja Alavesa 2021

100% Garnacha Blanca (not shown in the above picture).

This is racy, with fantastic purity of fruit, refreshing quince and jasmine notes, subtle wood, and a steely, mineral-edged core, finishing with sublime freshness.

Bodegas Beronia Mazuelo Reserva, Rioja Alta This is a017

This unique wine is the only 100% Mazuelo Reserva in Rioja. It is a flavour bomb of cherries and chocolate with incredible purity and intensity.

Viñedos Sierra Cantabria Gran Reserva, Rioja Alavesa 2012 98% Tempranillo, 2% Graciano, 24 months in American oak barrels

Smokey, complex, and dizzyingly perfumed with truffle, vanilla, toast, and balsamic notes packed with red berries.

Palacio de Manzanos Viñedo Singular 1890 Manzanos Rioja Oriental 2017 A singular vineyard, 100% Garnacha, is an elegant, lighter style similar to Pinot Noir. It is packed with layers of forest fruits, rounded and supremely sophisticated.

Rioja wines are split into four classification levels.

GENÉRICO

Previously called Joven, this is a basic form of Rioja wine that only guarantees origin and vintage. Genérico wines have no minimum ageing requirements and are generally sold within the first or second year after harvest. Approximately 40% of Rioja wines fall under this category and are very youthful and fruity with fresh acidity.

This category also includes wines that do not conform to any regulated ageing system and are made entirely according to the winemaker's preferences. These wines are often world-class and rank among the best from the region.

The following three styles must use 225-litre oak barrels:

CRIANZA

Whites - a minimum of 6 months in barrel and 1 year in bottle

Reds – a minimum of 1 year in barrel and 1 year in bottle.

RESERVA

Whites - a minimum of 2 years ageing, of which 6 months must be in the barrel.

Reds – a minimum of 3 years of ageing, of which 1 year must be in a barrel and 2 years in a bottle.

GRAN RESERVA

Whites – a minimum of 4 years, of which 6 months must be in barrel.

Reds – a minimum of 5 years of ageing, of which 2 years must be in the barrel.

Service from Florian (sorry if I have your name wrong) was very knowledgeable in describing the various wines. Overall, it is a great little spot for fans of Rioja wines to spend a couple of hours, of which there are many.

BAR RIOJA 3 Varnishers Yard

The Regent Quarter

King's Cross, London N1 9FD 020 7841 7331

Instagram @bar.rioja

www.barrioja.co.uk

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