A Dry Spanish Red for Summer

Summertime usually brings a deluge of white wines, and I've found that the right dry red can break up the monotony. This rioja reserva from Bodegas Loriñon consists of a blend of tempranillo and grenache: the tempranillo, by nature a tannic grape, imparts a dry finish, while the grenache adds hints of spice and supple fruit. A great food pairing is pork loin stuffed with apples and onions. The sweetness of the onions, apples, and bacon works wonders with the smoothness and softness of this wine. Bodegas Loriňon, Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2004, $22
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