Our Favorite BBQ Ribs with LAN Rioja #WinePW

When Jeff of FoodWineClick sent the invitation out asking us to join him in a Rioja and BBQ celebration I was very excited.  There is nothing better than relaxing around the pool with a BBQ meal and glass of wine.

This event was made even sweeter by the fact that it was sponsored by Bodegas LAN who sent several of us, including me, some lovely bottles of wine.  I received no other compensation and all opinions are purely my own.

I wait all winter long for the weather to break so we can make our favorite BBQ Ribs.  I guess I could make them in the oven but if we could have them anytime we wanted they wouldn't be so special.

As soon as Jeff announced the theme I knew that I wanted to make the ribs to pair with the wine.  I was familiar with Rioja wine however I was not familiar with Bodegas LAN and anxious to try it.

In his Preview Post, Jeff gives some fast facts about Rioja wine.  He also explains the the different classifications of Rioja wine, Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva.  I received a bottle ot the Crianza.

Let's see what the others got and what they decided to pair it with.......

• Deanna at Asian Test Kitchen shares "Vegan BBQ: 3 Ideas to Pair with Crianza Rioja".
• Lori at Exploring the Wine Glass shares "A Father's Passion is Passed Down to Daughter and Expressed in Bottle"
• David from Cooking Chat shares “Grilled Paprika Pork Chops with a Rioja”
• Jane at Always Ravenous shares "Grilled Sausage Feast Paired with Rioja Crianza"
• Lauren at The Swirling Dervish shares "Paella and Bodegas LAN: Perfect for Your Summer BBQ"
• Jill at L'Occasion shares "On the Grill with Rioja Wine"
• Jennifer at Vino Travels Italy shares "Oven Roasted Italian Sausage with Rioja Riserva"
• Martin at Enofylz Wine Blog shares "Grilled Garam Masala Lamb Chops paired with Bodega LAN Reserva"
• Linda at My Full Wine Glass shares "Keep your cool with grilled steak salad and Rioja"
• Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares "Robatayaki and Rioja Wines, the Perfect Summertime Party"
• Pinny at Chinese Food & Wine Pairings shares “Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza and Thick-Cut Sirloin Steak on the Grill"
• Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm shares "Our Favorite BBQ Ribs with LAN Rioja"
• Gwen at Wine Predator shares "An American Summer BBQ with Spanish Rioja Wine: LAN Crianza and Beronia Rosado"
• Nicole at Somm's Table shares “Cooking to the Wine: Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva with Smoky Seared Octopus”
• Rupal at Syrah Queen shares “Bodegas LAN Rioja with Canjun Butter Steak”
• Jeff at Food Wine Click! shares "Smoking Low & Slow with Rioja Wines"

While the ribs grilled, Frank and I enjoyed a glass while I looked up the Bodegas LAN website and we learned of the Bodegas wines and specifically the wine we were drinking.  

The LAN Crianza is the wine produced for people to enjoy every day.  It is affordable yet delicious.  It is aged in barrels made with both French and American Oak, giving it a unique flavor.  The Crianza is primarily Tempranillo with a small amount of Mazuelo.  It is made in stainless steel and then move to oak barrels for 14 months of aging.

We found it to be a very dry wine that left a nice touch of sweetness on the palate.  Sweet as in fruity, like the taste left after biting into a fresh, juicy peach.  We each enjoyed a second glass of wine with the Ribs which were absolutely perfect.  The pairing was very satisfying and I can see why Rioja has a reputation for pairing well with BBQ.