Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza and Thick-Cut Sirloin Steak on the Grill #WinePW

I always feel I get the best bang for the buck when I drink Rioja wines from Spain. This old world charm always has the complex flavor that’s appropriately oaked and structured, but is affordable for everyday consumption. Thanks to Jeff Burrows from Food Wine Click, some of us were able to obtain a sample from Bodegas LAN and have a great wine to start the feature blog about Rioja wine and summer BBQ. 

The Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja is located in the north of Spain, on both sides of the River Ebro. It is divided into three large zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental (Baja). In the highlands of Alavesa and Rioja Alta the remnants of the westerly winds from the Atlantic cool the vineyards. The harsh winds from the north are filtered by the Pyrenees and by the Cantabrian mountains. The result is a cold winter, mild and sunny spring, hot summers, and mild autumns with cooling night-time breezes. Although the highlands have a typical continental type of climate, a more Mediterranean climate rules in Rioja Baja with hot, dry summers with many hours of sunshine. 

Photo Credit: Fernando Beteta

Each of the wine zones has its characteristics. Rioja Alta and Alavesa, at the highest elevations, are considered to be the source of the brightest, most elegant fruit, while grapes from the warmer and drier, Rioja Oriental, produce wines with deep color, great body, and richness.

LAN, composed of the initials of the three provinces that make up the D.O.Ca. Rioja: Logroño (now La Rioja), Álava and Navarra, started their winemaking in 1972. Viña Lanciano is the name of the 72 hectares vineyards embraced by a curve of the River Ebro, on the natural border between the Rioja Alta and the Rioja Alavesa. A privileged location, sheltered by the Cantabria Mountains, which creates a different microclimate in each of its 22 parcels. It is also naturally protected from frost and extreme summer heat.

LAN Crianza 2015 Wine Note (from Bodegas LAN)

GRAPE VARIETIES: 96% Tempranillo and 4% Mazuelo.

VINEYARDS: Selected vineyards in the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, aged between 10 and 20 years. Chalky-clay soils, located on well-drained slopes with good sun exposure.

WINEMAKING: Traditional winemaking, destalking - crushing. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks. 15 days’ maceration, with continuous pumping-over to optimize color extraction.

Aging: Aged for 14 months in hybrid oak barrels (a mixture of American oak staves and French oak bases), that LAN pioneered the use of, followed by nine months’ bottle conditioning.

TASTING NOTES: Bright cherry red with a garnet rim. An elegant nose with predominant notes of red and stone fruits: strawberry, raspberry, and peach. Patisserie and cream enveloped in elegant notes of vanilla and caramel and a subtle hint of cinnamon. It is flavorful and expressive on the palate. It is immediately inviting, enveloping the palate and leaving a long and pleasant aftertaste.

Without much hesitation, I have grilled a thick-cut of sirloin steak to pair with the LAN Crianza 2015. I generously seasoned the steak with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper right before putting it on the hot grill. A summer weekday steak dinner accompanied by a glass of LAN Crianza – a happy combo that I can eat, sip, and repeat on a regular basis!

Disclosure: The wine in this post is sample. All opinions are my own.

Check out our fellow bloggers' Rioja and BBQ!

• Deanna at Asian Test Kitchen shares "Vegan BBQ: 3 Ideas to Pair with Crianza Rioja"
  
• Lori at Exploring the Wine Glass shares "A Father's Passion is Passed Down to Daughter and Expressed in Bottle"
• David from Cooking Chat shares “Grilled Paprika Pork Chops with a Rioja”
• Jane at Always Ravenous shares "Grilled Sausage Feast Paired with Rioja Crianza"
• Lauren at The Swirling Dervish shares "Paella and Bodegas LAN: Perfect for Your Summer BBQ"
• Jill at L'Occasion shares "On the Grill with Rioja Wine"
• Jennifer at Vino Travels Italy shares "Oven Roasted Italian Sausage with Rioja Riserva"
• Martin at Enofylz Wine Blog shares "Grilled Garam Masala Lamb Chops paired with Bodega LAN Reserva"
• Linda at My Full Wine Glass shares "Keep your cool with grilled steak salad and Rioja"
• Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares "Robatayaki and Rioja Wines, the Perfect Summertime Party"
• Pinny at Chinese Food & Wine Pairings shares “Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza and Thick-Cut Sirloin Steak on the Grill"
• Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm shares "Our Favorite BBQ Ribs with LAN Rioja"
• Gwen at Wine Predator shares "An American Summer BBQ with a Red and a Rose from Rioja"
• Nicole at Somm's Table shares “Cooking to the Wine: Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva with Smoky Seared Octopus”
• Jeff at Food Wine Click! shares "Smoking Low & Slow with Rioja Wines"