Vino Bitches: Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo

Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo
Superstore Liquor Store
$12.99

Exotic-sounding wines are always fun, especially so when they’re under the $15 mark. This Spanish tempranillo is one of the absolute best it it’s price range, and if you’re willing to spend a little more than average on your friends, it will definitely make you seem more impressive. Even if you have wine-averse friends, this is am extremely drinkable red, and is almost off-putting with how refreshing the taste is.

After uncorking this wine, you aren’t met with too much smell off the bottle. If you often find yourself drinking wines from the bottom shelf of the liquor store, this will probably be a pleasant surprise since you can now be assured your tastebuds won’t be assaulted with vinegary grape juice. The pour into the glass makes for a gorgeous not-quite-opaque ruby hue.

The first sip is spicy, light and clean. The lack of aftertaste makes for an almost clean palate for every following sip. It’s a very unobtrusive red, and will definitely pair well with anything you eat with it.

Most would probably just say that the Campo Viejo Rioja’s tempranillo tastes like wine. And they aren’t wrong. But if you’re looking at other wines in this price point, it is definitely one of the best. It isn’t trying too hard to be anything other than a wine, and sometimes that is all you need.