The Rioja VS Jumilla Duel Tasting: A Unique Experience in Bodegas Corral
If there is something we like almost as much as opening a good bottle, it is sharing it. And if that bottle also comes with history, with character and with the soul of two lands as different as they are complementary, then the experience becomes a real journey for wine lovers. That is why, at Bodegas Corral, we have decided that it was time to put face to face -or glass to glass- two giants of our wine heritage: La Rioja wine and Jumilla wine.
Thus was born the Duelo Rioja VS Jumilla Tasting, a wine tourism experience that will bring two styles, two climates, two ways of understanding wine, face to face every month -without blood but with a lot of body. Our proposal? A comparative, tasty and participative tasting, which will be held on the first Saturday of each month, starting on May 3, at our home: Bodegas Corral, in the village of Navarrete, in the town of Navarrete, Logroño.
A very well-matched duel: Rioja Wine VS Jumilla Wine
As good wine lovers, we know that to compare is not to confront. That is why this Wine Tasting does not seek winners, but to open the conversation, to invite you to discover -and here, yes, with glass in hand- the differences and similarities between the wines made in Rioja D.O.Ca. and those born under Jumilla D.O.P.
We are talking about two Appellations of Origin with a lot of weight, history and character. On the one hand, the Rioja D.O.Ca., which you can learn more about in this article, offers elegant, balanced wines with a fine structure and great ageing capacity. On the other hand, the Jumilla D.O.P., which you can explore in more detail here, is a land of sun, poor soils and the powerful Monastrell, which gives intense, tasty wines, full of personality.
Can there be anything more stimulating than tasting both at the same table?
A wine tourism experience on a monthly basis
The idea is clear: every first Saturday of the month, we will open the doors of our winery to invite you to a journey of sensations. This Wine Tasting is designed for those who are just starting out in the world of wine as well as for more experienced palates.
The activity is structured in two blocks, or as we like to call them, two “duels”: each one will face a representative wine from the Rioja D.O.Ca. with one from the Jumilla D.O.P. We talk about four wines in total, paired with a tasty snack, while we chat -in group and in confidence- about what we see, smell and feel in each glass.
The protagonists of the duel: Rioja D.O.Ca. vs Jumilla D.O.P.
In any self-respecting wine tasting there are protagonists that shine with their own light. And in this case, they could not be other than the selected wines from our two wineries: Bodegas Corral and Bodegas Luzón. Proud representatives of their respective appellations, Rioja D.O.Ca. and Jumilla D.O.P., these four wines allow us to explore the particularities of two regions with a lot of history… and with a lot to say in each glass.
Altos de Corral Single Estate Crianza (Rioja D.O.Ca.)
Made exclusively from Tempranillo, this Rioja wine comes from vineyards located in Navarrete, at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. Its aging of 12 months in French oak barrels, followed by refinement in the bottle, gives it a powerful and elegant personality.
Tasting notes: Dark purple color, intense nose with new wood, plums, cherries and a background of aniseed. In the mouth, it is fresh, structured and with a persistent finish.
Altos de Luzón (Jumilla D.O.P.)
A thoroughbred Jumilla wine, made from 100% Monastrell, that captures the essence of the extreme climate and austere soils of the area. Its 12-month aging in American and French oak barrels adds depth and complexity.
Tasting notes: Intense red color, aromas of black fruit, sweet spices and toasted notes. In the mouth, it is full and round, with ripe tannins and a long finish.
Don Jacobo Vendimia Seleccionada (Rioja D.O.Ca.)
A Tempranillo full of character from vines between 20 and 60 years old in the Moncalvillo region. This Rioja wine, aged for 6 months in American oak barrels, shows a well-balanced traditional identity.
Tasting notes: Garnet color with purple hues. Aromas of toasted oak and blackberries. Fruity on the palate with hints of redcurrants, fresh and harmonious finish.
Luzón Colección Roble (Jumilla D.O.P.)
A younger, more vibrant version of the Jumilla wine, 100% Monastrell, with a brief aging of 3 months in barrels that enhances the fruit without losing expressiveness.
Tasting notes: Cherry color with violet hues. Aromas of fresh red fruit, sweet spices and coffee notes. Smooth in the mouth, with round tannins and an expressive finish.
An oenological learning in every glass
Beyond the pleasure of wine tasting, this experience is also a learning opportunity. With the Duelo Rioja VS Jumilla Tasting, which we will hold on the first Saturday of every month starting on May 3, we open the door to a direct comparison between the styles of two mythical regions: Rioja D.O.Ca. and Jumilla D.O.P.
During this sensory experience, we will delve into the elements that make each Rioja wine or Jumilla wine have a unique personality:
The climate as a shaper of wine
In the Rioja D.O.Ca., the Mediterranean-continental climate favors the production of fresh, elegant and balanced wines. In contrast, the Jumilla D.O.P. is characterized by an arid climate with high temperatures, which gives rise to powerful, ripe reds with a lot of character.
Soils that impart character
The diversity of soils between the two regions is also key. The vineyards of the Rioja D.O.Ca., especially in Rioja Alta, grow on clay-limestone soils that provide finesse. In contrast, the poor, stony and calcareous soils of the Jumilla D.O.P. demand the best from the vines, and this is noticeable in every sip.
Aging and barrels: tradition and style
The type of oak and aging time also play a role. American oak contributes sweet aromas of vanilla and coconut, while French oak offers more subtle notes such as cocoa or clove. This difference is especially noticeable when comparing wines such as Altos de Luzón and Altos de Corral.
Visit us, toast with us and discover new lands
If you still do not know our facilities, we invite you to take a look at everything we offer in our section of Wine Tourism in Bodegas Corral. In addition to this new wine tasting, you can enjoy guided tours, outdoor tastings, harvest activities and much more. We are only 10 minutes away from Logroño, surrounded by vineyards and looking forward to welcome you.
Mark your calendar: May 3
The Rioja VS Jumilla Wine Tasting will officially begin next Saturday, May 3, and will be repeated every first Saturday of the month. Places are limited, so we recommend booking in advance.
You don’t need to be an expert, just come with the desire to have fun and let yourself be carried away by the world of wine. Because in the end, wine is just that: a bridge between people, landscapes and moments. And what better way to cross it than with a glass of Rioja wine in one hand… and a glass of Jumilla wine in the other.
Are you coming to the next duel?
We provide the wines. You, the desire.