Old vs. New style Riojas

[TheEngineer]

I'm waiting for a few others to chime in as well as they have more experience than me (Brappy, Drew, Bucko,...others??)

But for me there are brands that are old world and brands that are new world.

Old world for me are the Faustino's, Marqués de Murrieta and teh flavour profiles are more like characterized by that earthy, dried fruits, vanilla, herbs, leather, tobacco, etc,. The wine is more elegant, transluscent and the nose is more ethereal.

New world Rioja's are effectively the international style of Rioja and which are characterized by their fruitiness and a little residual sugar and a totally different mouthfeel, rounder, fuller, denser in fruit. Brands that fall into this area include Torre Muga, Roda, etc.

Even then, not all experts agree on what is traditional and what is modern. Perhaps its just better wine making. I love both styles but when the best of the best come to the table, the traditional style for me wins by the nose itself just like if a really good bordeaux and a really good burg was presented to me, I'd fall for the burg every time. Matter of preference, that's all.

Of course, there are those that take a bit of each into their methods and recipes. .. Just to give you a middle ground.

[This message has been edited by TheEngineer (edited 02-18-2009).]