What it pairs with
-
Roast suckling pig (cochinillo)
The wine's structure and dark fruit stand up to the rich fat and delicate meat of cochinillo. -
Slow-braised lamb shanks
Braised lamb with the wine's tobacco and spice notes is a classic Castilian combination. -
Aged Manchego
Firm cheese and the wine's mineral backbone are mutually enhancing.
How to serve Arzuaga Reserva
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast suckling pig (cochinillo), Slow-braised lamb shanks, Aged Manchego. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The Arzuaga Reserva has been produced from the mid-1990s as the estate's premium tier, offering greater oak ageing and complexity than the Crianza.
- 1993 — Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro founded
- 1994 — First Arzuaga Reserva produced
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro
- Grapes
- Tinto Fino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- Classification
- DO Ribera del Duero
- Oak
- 18 months in French oak barriques
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- €35-60 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1994
Frequently asked about Arzuaga Reserva
When should I drink Arzuaga Reserva?
Drink 5-15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Arzuaga Reserva?
Roast suckling pig (cochinillo) is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Slow-braised lamb shanks and Aged Manchego. The wine's structure and dark fruit stand up to the rich fat and delicate meat of cochinillo.
What grapes are in Arzuaga Reserva?
The blend is Tinto Fino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot. The wine is classified as DO Ribera del Duero.