LCBO Sale Pick of the Week: Jan. 16

Beronia 2008 Reserva Rioja (Rioja, Spain)

Sale $16.95, Regular $18.95
Discount (until February 2): $2.00
LCBO - Vintages #50203 | 750 mL bottle


Tastes like: Ripe red fruit, sweet oak, dried herbs, smoke and dust
Pairs with: French onion soup, roast chicken, steak/beef/horse
Good for: Late night TV or Netflix 
Drink this: Now through 2016
Alcohol: 14%


Why we're drinking this
Because it came as a gift—and we’ve bought several more since. This is modern Rioja—one of the most celebrated regions of Spain—made by Gonzalez Byass, a top sherry producer with the Tio Pepe label. The Beronia is good stuff at a great price. If you’ve never had Rioja, start here.

Tasting note
The “reserva” designation indicates a minimum of three years ageing before release. In practice, most Rioja reservas are aged longer. So this 2008 is a maturing wine that retains considerable freshness of lovely, ripe fruit. Yes, you can taste the oak—sweet, smoky, vanilla—and feel the somewhat chunky tannins. This gives structure and mouth-filling texture. It’s a full-bodied food wine to be sure, but a great sipper, too, for lovers of formidable character.

Find it at your LCBO
Check availability at your nearest LCBO (Vintages Section) here!


This week's selection by wine writer and CityBites.ca Editor - Dick Snyder


Beronia Reserva 2008 | kwäf LCBO Pick Jan 16