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Matt Skinner's favourite Rioja
Australian Matt Skinner first came to prominence when Jamie Oliver invited him to head up wine at Fifteen, and he’d proved himself a skilled communicator on the subject. His book, The Juice 2006, is published by Mitchell Beazley at £7.99.
I have two favourite Rioja producers – Alvaro Palacios and Telmo Rodriguez. And while I'm fully aware that neither resides within the area, the distance travelled by both in order to secure both the very best sites and premium quality fruit is unparalleled.
The employment of biodynamic farming, the use of old vines, and a seismic shift in winemaking attitude balancing tradition with technology, but only once things are 100% in the vineyard – account for much, particularly in examples such as Palacios's Bodegas Palacios Remondo Rioja ‘Propiedad', and Rodriguez's ever-brilliant Lanzaga.
For me, this is what reflects what is both brilliant and exciting about modern-day Spain.?
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