Hey Rioja Fans!

Well, I can tell you with out a doubt that there is more information on Rioja than I possibly know what do to with. From wine routes to wineries, we’re overwhelmed with the amount of cool tips and basic facts we need to impart to you. In all honesty, it reminds me of walking into a candy store at age six and feeling so flushed with shock and excitement over the variety of incredibly delicious looking treats laid out before me that the only thing I know how to do is smile. That, my friends, is exactly how I feel! And considering that our experiences with Rioja have been limited at best, everything that’s been coming into our mailbox and through our email looks worthy of an article.

That said, I figured the best way to ring in the upcoming months was to throw the ball in your court and see if I can’t entice you to share a story or two about your own experiences. So have it! We’ve included some questions that are of interest to us, but if you have a more exciting tale to tell, we’re giving you free reign!

• Having divulged my “first” Rioja wine with you, can you dig deep into your own memory bank and draw up the first time your lips touched a wine from Rioja? What was it and was it any good?
• Assuming that you’ve become fanatic Spanish wine drinkers as a result of us (well, a girl can dream), what ranks as your creme de la creme Rioja wine, and what makes it do good?
• If you had the full attention of someone from D.O.C.a Rioja or a winemaker, what question have you always wanted to know about the wines, the region, the regulations or the history?

Cheers,
Gabriella