ATTENTION US-BASED CHEFS, SOMMELIERS AND BEVERAGE DIRECTORS:
REGISTER BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RIBERA Y RUEDA PAIRING CHALLENGE. 30 PEOPLE WILL BE SELECTED TO COMPETE TO WIN A TRIP TO SPAIN.THE 30 COMPETITORS WILL RECEIVE FREE WINE SAMPLES AND BE ASKED TO CREATE AN ORIGINAL RECIPE DESIGNED TO PAIR WITH EACH WINE SAMPLE (2 TOTAL).
—
Hidden in the high plains of Castilla y León in Northern Spain, the sister regions of Ribera del Duero and Rueda have everything you want in wine: character, originality and centuries of pedigree. In Ribera del Duero, Tempranillo—a hearty, thick-skinned version of its cousin in Rioja — survives scorching summers and frigid winters to produce bold red wines of incredible depth and structure. In Rueda, the vines of Verdejo grapes feed off the rocky or sandy soils to yield herbaceous, aromatic whites. Want to taste Spain’s top red and white wines?
By or before October 4th, register to be one of 30 participants selected to receive your wine samples and let your imagination take the lead as you create your own dishes to pair with the refreshing notes of the Ruedas. The white wines of Rueda pair well with seafood, light meats, roasted veggies or salads, and the complex and smoky flavors of the Ribera del Duero, pair perfectly with rich flavors, such as roasted meats, rich pastas and anything off the grill, etc.
From there, you’ll enter by taking the two following steps:
- Post a photo of both creations to your public Instagram account, showcasing your culinary creativity alongside your glass of paired wine. Be sure to tag @riberaruedawine and use #RyRPairingChallenge
- [Note: Photos should not show bottle labels!]
- You should make two posts – One showing off your red-paired dish, and one showing off your white-paired dish.
- Submit, via email, the photos of your two dishes, along with the detailed recipes and pairing descriptions for each.
- Don’t worry, if you’re selected we’ll share a checklist laying everything out!
One grand prize winner will be selected to receive a trip to Spain to experience the regions that these fantastic wines come from.
Looking for a little inspiration? Check out these videos where Chef Mikel Anthony pairs a dish with wines from Ribera del Duero and Rueda and Master of Wine Lindsay Pomeroy reviews his work.
Register Now
Registration is now closed.
Grand Prize : Trip to Spain
One grand prize winner will be awarded a seat on a 2021 Ribera y Rueda campaign-sponsored educational trade trip to the two wine regions.
Each year, the wine regions of Ribera del Duero and Rueda host a small group of U.S. wine and/or hospitality professionals on a 4 to 6-day educational immersion and winery tour. The prize contains 1 seat on this group trip. Standard airfare, hotel accommodations, meals listed on the trip itinerary, and winery visits are included.
Some additional activities such as cultural tours or museums may be included at the discretion of the wine regions. The date is TBD, most trade immersions are held in March or April. Itinerary components, including total days, are subject to change.
Jose Berdon
Contest Timeline
- Registration– September 21 – October 4| Fill out the form above for a chance to join the challenge!
- Selection & Shipping – October 5 – November 1 | Ribera y Rueda selects challengers to receive wine & compete.
- Submissions– November 2 – November 16| Create your dish and submit it via email and on Instagram using #RyRPairingChallenge.
- Judging – November 17 – November 22 | The judging panel will convene and decide on the Grand Prize Winner
- Winners Announced – Week of November 30th
ABOUT RIBERA Y RUEDA
There’s something timeless and untouched about Ribera y Rueda. In these regions, sustainability isn’t a trend, it’s a tradition. Before these wines were “discovered” by the outside world, many local producers were making them simply as a labor of love, not a path to prosperity.
Both refreshing Ruedas and robust Ribera del Dueros serve as a more sophisticated step-up from what many Americans are already drinking. This combination of authenticity and accessibility arms wine sellers with a rare double threat. One that is equally suited for intrepid oenophiles looking to further explore Spain, and novices beginning to baby-step their way into the intimidating world of wine.
As Spain’s #1 white wine, Rueda Verdejo is crisp, sophisticated and easy to drink. There are different styles for different palates and different pairings – not all Verdejo wines from Rueda are the same.
In the sister region, Ribera del Duero wines are the purest expression of Tempranillo – Spain’s indigenous and most well-known grape. The spices, dark fruit and smoky flavors of Ribera Tempranillo enhance anything off the grill, roasted meats and rich pastas. Ribera del Duero wines are unequivocally food-friendly wines.
As a top choice for quality and affordability, Ribera y Rueda wines are on par with much more expensive options, and they’re easy to pair with a range of occasions from a casual grill-out to a fine-dining feast. For more information, recipes, and inspiration, visit the Ribera y Rueda website.
Images courtesy of Ribera y Rueda
Click here for full contest rules
