Pink wines from Rioja, Spain, have generations of followers—for good purpose. These wines are identified for being lush and opulent (the kinds of bottles you’d serve with roast lamb), however there’s “change afoot in one of many world’s most hidebound wine areas,” writes Betsy Andrews in her article for our March/April 2025 problem. 

Whereas winemakers in Rioja traditionally aged Tempranillo grapes in American oak to create their characteristically wealthy crimson wines, fashionable producers are embracing a spectrum of grapes and winemaking kinds to realize lighter, crunchier, terroir-driven outcomes. Their decisions replicate not solely current modifications to Spain’s wine classification system, but in addition shifting client tastes, winemaking traits, and weather conditions.

These seven bottles spotlight the brighter, more energizing aspect of Rioja reds.

Bodegas Lanzaga Corriente 2021

Anticipate ripe raspberry and cherry aromas and flavors from this crowd-pleaser constituted of organically farmed Tempranillo, plus spicy, earthy notes and vegetal undertones. The end is dry and velvety with fantastically built-in tannins. $18.99, mvwines.com

Bodegas Moraza Tempranillo 2022

Brilliant and approachable, this easy-drinking bottle from a minimal-interventionalist producer in Rioja Alta provides appreciable worth for cash. There are notes of cloves and allspice alongside the juicy crimson berry flavors and pleasantly grippy tannins. $22.95, mysa.com

Sierra de Toloño Raposo 2021

A subject mix of Tempranillo and Graciano, this irresistibly terroir-driven bottle has tart acidity and velvety tannins to spare. Juicy blackberries and savory spices headline the delightfully crunchy, advanced flavors. $28.99, wine.com

Jose Gil Rioja Viñedos en San Vincente de la Sonsierra 2021

A mix of Tempranillo with Garnacha and smattering of white wine grapes, this fantastically crafted high-elevation wine combines crimson berries and gently floral flavors with spicy minerally notes. The dry end and silky tannins may have you reaching for one more sip nearly instantly. $49.99, zachys.com

Bodegas Montecillo Vina Monty Garnacha 2016

Tart cherries and just-picked blackberries headline this single-variety Garnacha from Montecillo’s Viña Monty label. It combines juicy, fruit-forward flavors with refined construction and a protracted, crisp end. $59.98, winex.com

Artuke Tempranillo La Condenada 2022

From one in every of Spain’s most celebrated producers comes this biodynamic, fantastically structured single-vineyard wine. It has layers of raspberries and blackberries in addition to earthy vegetal flavors alongside zippy acidity and grippy tannins. Whilst you definitely might drink it proper now, this investment-worthy bottle will solely change into extra advanced with age. $84, saratogawine.com

Ramon Bilbao Lalomba Finca Lalinde 2021

Admittedly, this isn’t a crimson wine in any respect: It’s a single-vineyard rosado that will get its ballet-pink colour and crisp texture from getting older a mix of Garnacha and white Viura wines in concrete. However it demonstrates the recent strategy being undertaken by historic producers like Ramon Bilbao. Andrews calls it “bone-dry with terrific minerality and food-friendly grip,” and it pairs fantastically with every thing from shellfish to grain bowls to burgers. $45.50, theboozeoutlet.com