We mention a Rioja First Growth, Sierra Cantabria, because of its ties to the Dominio de Eguren (see below), and in this case we have an actual wine from another Rioja First Growth, Bodegas Muga. Still owned by the Muga family today, they started in the negociant business of buying, blending, and aging wine but then began wine growing and winemaking in 1932, with, surprisingly, a rosado. The family has never treated rosado as a trend to capitalize on, or as a by-product of red wine production, but as a serious wine that will accompany serious food, despite its friendly price. The Muga family has also never wavered from making wines in the traditional way: they employ their own coopers and stainless steel tanks don’t exist in their winery. They also never strayed from the traditional, organic farming practices of their ancestors. The dry-farmed vines planted between 1926 and 1986 are hand picked and are made as a classic Rioja clarete, which means a co-maceration of red and white varieties; in this case for 12 hours. Made up mostly of Garnacha, with small amounts of Viura and Tempranillo, 65% of the fruit comes from estate vineyards with the remaining fruit coming from vineyards leased on long-term contracts, all of it coming from Rioja Alta. Flavors of melon, strawberry, raspberry, pear flesh and skin and sweet herbs. Great rosé goes with everything and nothing!