Bodegas Barón de Ley is a respected Spanish wine producer with over 1,000 hectares of vineyards in the Rioja regions. Barón de Ley's headquarters is located in Mendavia in a magnificent building complex that Count Eguía had built in 1548 as his castle and fortress. Over the years, the estate became a Benedictine monastery where sheep were raised and wine was produced under the monks' command until 1836. After that, the estate was owned by many powerful men.
After several changes, the estate came into the ownership of Barón de Ley's founders in the 1980s. The producer's large size doesn't prevent meticulous wine production. The entire vast harvest is picked by hand and the best grapes are still sorted manually. The cellar technology is state-of-the-art and the wine is aged in 15,000 barrels of American and French oak in the traditional Rioja style. Bottle aging requires a refrigerated cellar for 4.5 million bottles. The extent of the vineyards and their many locations provide a palette for the range and quality from which Barón de Ley's reputation stems.
Read 5 tips for grilling at the end of the article!
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Why is Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva perfect for grilled food?
Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva is full-bodied, tannic, dark cherry, ripe cranberry, cloudberry, and lightly leathery.
The wine's full-bodied flavor and complexity enhance the deliciousness of grilled meat, smoked flavors, and bold spices.
Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva 2019 is priced at €19.99/0.75 l. Check the product's store availability and detailed product information on Alko's website.
What grilled dishes does Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva pair with?
Try Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva with the following grilled dishes, for example:
- Grilled beef entrecôte, with Spanish tomato salsa and (new) potatoes.
- Vegan grilled dishes, such as whole grilled portobello. Since Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva pairs perfectly with mild cheeses, you can also stuff the mushrooms with melted cheese, for example. Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva is also suitable for vegans.
- The wine pairs well with grilled lamb or mutton. Try skewers or leg, for example.
- Spicy sausages, such as chorizo.
- With simple dishes known from the La Rioja region, such as Patatas à la riojana.
Read our 5 tips for grilling:
- Marinate with time Seasoning and marinating add flavor and juiciness to food. Let the meat and vegetables marinate long enough for the flavors to absorb properly. A good rule of thumb is to put the meat in the marinade in the fridge the day before! Vegan ingredients, such as tofu, can also be marinated the day before.
- Choose quality and fresh ingredients When grilling, it's good to remember to choose the freshest and highest quality ingredients possible. For example, the fresher the fish, the better the meat holds together when grilling. Choose a red wine worthy of quality ingredients: Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva.
- Remember to grill on a hot grill Let the grill heat up properly before you start grilling. A properly hot grill ensures that the food cooks evenly. While the grill is heating up, you can serve yourself and your company a glass of quality red wine, Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva!
- Chill the red wine before serving Especially in summer heat, wine should be chilled before serving. The optimal temperature brings out the wine's best flavors and aromas. The recommended serving temperature for full-bodied red wines, such as Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva, is between 16 - 18 degrees. Put the red wine in the fridge to chill at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Let the food rest Grilled food should always be allowed to rest, whether it's meat, vegetables, or fish. You can wrap your food in foil to keep it warm until serving.
