2024 Artadi La Poza de Ballesteros

In the medieval village of Laguardia, the future of La Rioja has developed in the cellars of Artadi. Without a doubt, this masterpiece is thanks to the brilliant and creative work of Juan Carlos López, who is assisted today by his son Carlos.

When Juan Carlos made the cooperative into an independent 'bodega' in 1992, he had been in charge of it for 7 years. His vision was revolutionary and completely flattened Rioja, but in no time he managed to make the best of wines from Spain, which immediately conquered the whole world. The short cuts in the vineyards with very small yields as a result, and the use of French oak barrels were just some of his innovative ideas. Even more important was the early bottling of his wines, in contrast to the traditional riojas, which were sometimes stored on large wooden 'foudres' for up to 10 years. With this he also deliberately stepped aside from the Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva classification.

All wines in their range are made exclusively from the Tempranillo grape which has its birthplace in Rioja and can also give the best quality here. The range covers 3 wines in which Viñas de Gain forms their base wine. This wine is the great example of the best Rioja wines and is often used as a reference point. Without a doubt the best quality wine for its price !!
For Pagos Viejos , only the best grapes from the old vineyards are selected, which come from the best terroirs from all over Rioja. It is therefore no wonder that this wine is a true explosion of fruit, structure and elegant tannins. This wine owes the perfect balance to the 14-month oak barrel aging. A superior Grandes Añadas is only made from this selection in the very largest years.

Viña el Pison comes from a unique piece of land of 2.4 hectares where the subsoil and the location of the vineyard to the sun are exceptional tenors. With an average age of 65, the vines give nothing but the very best, but unfortunately also very limited, making this whopper so unique!

Buying wines from the Rioja? Then Grandcruwijnen is the place to be. We have an unprecedented wide range of Rioja wines in every price category and of all famous houses. If you want to order a Rioja wine, the following applies: ✓ Can be ordered per bottle ✓ 24 hour delivery ✓ Save for a discount

Rioja wines enjoy an excellent reputation. That is entirely justified, because a Rioja wine is usually a good wine. The Spaniards have an ancient wine tradition and the craft and expertise can be tasted in every glass. Rioja wines come from the Rioja region, which is located in the north of Spain. The River Río Oja separates the area into two parts, the North and the South. Rioja wine takes its name from this river.

When there are no other mentions on a bottle, the Rioja wine has spent a few months in an oak barrel. The Rioja Crianza must have matured for at least two years, the Reserva for three years and the Gran Reserva for five years, two of which are cask and three years in the bottle. The main grape varieties of the Rioja wines are the grenache blanc, the viura and the malvasia for white wine. For red and rosé these are the tempranillo, the grenache noir, the graciano and the mazuelo. The soil has a major influence on the taste of wine. This also applies to Rioja wines.

The Rioja soil contains a lot of lime and ferrous clay. The soil also contains some limestone here and there. A white Rioja wine shows elements of white fruit (pear and wine peach), while the red wines have hints of notes with hints of blackberry and cocoa. The rosé is again aimed at a fresh, fruity taste; perfect for a sun-filled afternoon on the terrace. It is best to serve the white Rioja wine and the rosé when they have a temperature of between 8 and 16 ⁰C degrees, while the red Rioja wines come into their own at a temperature of 16 ⁰C.

The Tempranillo grape originally comes from the Rioja region in Spain. With its thick skin, the Tempranillo produces wines with a deep color and little alcohol. It is striking that Tempranillo wines can be stored for a long time without much loss of color. Around 80% of the total production of the Tempranillo grape is grown in Spain!

A Worldwide Spread Grape

Tempranillo is widely planted in regions such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Valdepeñas, Navarra, Costers del Segre and along the Mediterranean coast. The grape gets its name from the fact that it ripens early - "temprano" means 'early' in Spanish. In addition to Spain, the grape can also be found in Portugal, where it is known as tinta roriz or aragonez, and even in Argentina, where it goes by the name Tempranilla.

The Unique Taste of Tempranillo

Wines made from the Tempranillo grape generally have a fruity and smooth taste, including red and dark fruits such as cherries, plums and blackberries, along with secondary notes of tobacco, leather, vanilla and spices. The flavor profile can vary depending on factors such as terroir, climate and winemaking techniques. The Tempranillo grape produces wines with lots of color and structure that can mature well in wood. The wines go well with Spanish dishes such as tapas, grilled meat, paella and cured meats. Its moderate acidity and tannins make it an easily adaptable wine to many dishes.

Explore Our Tempranillo Collection

At Grandcruwijnen we have a huge range of wines made from the Tempranillo grape. Discover the variety of flavors and styles from Rioja and Ribera del Duero, where Tempranillo is the main grape. Enjoy the accessibility and richness of Tempranillo wines, both pure and blended, which pair perfectly with different dishes and occasions.