Beronia Rioja Reserva

Jul 15
3 min read

Updated: Jul 25

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At a Glance

Producer: Bodegas Beronia

Region: Rioja, Spain

Winemaker: Beronia Winemaking Team

Grape: Tempranillo (with small amounts of Graciano & Mazuelo)

Vintage: 2020

Alcohol: 14%

Why This Wine?

For years, I was perfectly happy drinking big California Cabernet Sauvignon. So when we started building Fisk's wine list before opening in August of 2025, I knew one of my biggest challenges would be figuring out where to begin with Old World wines.

Rioja ended up being that starting point.

The thing you hear over and over about Rioja is value. Exceptional wines. Reasonable prices. That sounded like a good place to start.

Beronia quickly found its way onto my shortlist.

It has become one of those bottles that quietly earns fans wherever it goes. Since opening Fisk, I've had several guests light up when they spotted it on our shelves—including visitors from New York and California who already knew exactly what it was. That always feels like a good sign.

What to Look For

If your comfort zone is California Cabernet, Beronia is one of the easiest bridges into Rioja.

Look for black cherry, ripe plum, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, and warm baking spice. The oak is beautifully integrated, the tannins are polished, and the brighter acidity keeps everything feeling fresh.

It's unmistakably Spanish, but it won't feel like a dramatic departure if Cabernet is your usual order.

Something I Learned

I originally started learning about Rioja the same way a lot of people probably do—I looked at ratings. They're imperfect, but they're useful when you're trying to find your footing.

Once we decided to open Fisk, though, my research got a little... obsessive.

I read critics' reviews. I dug through winery websites. I watched YouTube videos from sommeliers. I wandered through Reddit rabbit holes. I talked to friends and family whose opinions I trust. And yes, I experimented with ChatGPT to help me organize an overwhelming amount of information.

None of those sources are perfect. Critics have opinions. Wineries are trying to sell wine. Reddit is...Reddit. AI is only as good as the information it's working with.

Somewhere along the way, I realized I wasn't really looking for answers anymore.

I was looking for patterns. Which wineries consistently earned strong reviews over many vintages? Which bottles developed loyal followings? Which wines seemed to overdeliver for the price, year after year?

Beronia kept showing up.

Then I tasted it. That's still the only test that really matters.

Pair With

Grilled ribeye, burgers, lamb, roasted mushrooms, Manchego, aged Gouda, charcuterie, or just about anything coming off the grill.

At Fisk, I'd happily pour it with our Pepperoni & Hot Honey Flatbread or one of our charcuterie boards.

What Other People Are Tasting

Winemaker Notes

Beronia describes the Reserva with aromas and flavors of black cherry, plum, vanilla, cedar, baking spice, tobacco, and polished tannins supported by a long, balanced finish.

Professional Reviews

Beronia has quietly built a reputation as one of Rioja's best values. Critics consistently praise its balance, oak integration, and classic Rioja character, while wine drinkers often point to its remarkable consistency across vintages. It isn't the flashiest Rioja on the shelf—and that's part of its charm.

Why July?

This month's Wine Club pick wasn't an accident.

One thing that surprised me about Rioja is how naturally it fits my own palate. I expected Old World wines to feel leaner and much more restrained than the California Cabernets I usually reach for. Instead, I found many of the same things I love—dark fruit, structure, and beautifully integrated oak—but with brighter acidity and just a little less weight.

When it's ninety degrees outside, I still want a glass of red with dinner. I just don't necessarily want a huge Napa Cabernet.

Beronia scratches that itch beautifully. It's rich enough for grilled food but fresh enough for a hot July evening.