Rioja: To Blend or Not to Blend

Traditionally, the red wines of Rioja were blends dominated by Tempranillo, with smaller proportions of Graciano, Garnacha and Cariñena. However, one of the innovations of the new Rioja wineries since the 1990s was to introduce 100% Tempranillo wines (as well as varietals of Graciano, Garnacha and even Cariñena). In this tasting we will compare both styles, the traditional blends and the varietals.