Rioja Steak Pairing Paid Advertorial

PAID ADVERTORIAL

Prime for Rioja Wine: Top-Rated Steakhouses in Calgary

With a nickname like “Cowtown,” Calgary is just as known for its premium beef as Rioja, Spain, is for its premium wines. While these two local specialties are incredible on their own, you won’t believe just how much better they are when you pair them together.

If you’re an Albertan, this is your invitation to enjoy some of the world's finest food-and-wine pairings at ten of Calgary’s top steakhouses. This May, you’ll be able to discover six unique wines from six distinguished Rioja wineries, alongside the brilliance of local chefs.

Throughout the month, these venues will present patrons with specially crafted steak-focused small plates, along with the list of Rioja wines they were meant for. Since these palate-pleasing pairings have already been picked by local chefs and sommeliers, a straightforward yet sophisticated extra-fine dining experience is what lies in store for you.

Why Rioja’s the Prime Match for Calgary’s Best Cuts

Just like these steakhouses, Rioja is renowned for its endless pursuit of quality. After attaining Spanish viticulture’s highest certification, the Qualified Designation of Origin, in 1990, Rioja hasn’t relented. All of the region’s wine producers have continued to rigorously ensure the utmost excellence in every wine bottled under the Rioja label.

What makes Rioja irresistible with steakhouse fare? You can count on Rioja reds’ medium-to-full bodies and tuned acidity to slice through rich, grilled meats—cleansing and pleasing the palate between each bite. 

For a juicy, charred, and seasoned ribeye with strong character, a Rioja Reserva is the only contender. With tannins that are both dense and velvety, this wine’s red fruit echoes the meat’s savoriness, while subtle oak enhances smoky nuances. But if balance is what you’re craving, Rioja’s famous Tempranillo has an earthiness that mirrors beef’s umami, creating harmony that elevates them both.

Lastly, the locational advantages of these two places were meant for each other. Whereas Calgary has a prime location for Alberta beef, Rioja has one of the world’s most coveted regions for making wine. Influenced by Atlantic breezes and Mediterranean sunlight, Rioja’s temperate climate yields reds that continue to define Spanish wine philosophy to the rest of the world. From the north to the south, Rioja’s mountain ranges help form the ideal winemaking climate, shielding it from cold coastal rains and central Spain's harsh weather. It’s just a perfect storm for breathtaking wines.

No matter which wines you’ll choose to pair, none of them will be quite the same. Having only three subregions (Alta, Oriental, and Alavesa), Rioja manages to be the land of 1000 wines. 

At its higher altitudes, Rioja lets grapes take their time to ripen, resulting in wines with a higher degree of acidity, freshness, and greater ageing potential. This completely contrasts with its wines from lower altitudes, which have riper, softer fruit profiles that are ready to be enjoyed upon release. Pairing its drier and warmer climate with lower altitudes, Rioja yields wide-ranging wines with better structure and higher alcohol content.

To learn all about what makes Rioja one of the best wine regions in the world, visit RiojaWine.com. 