Rioja x Time Out Market | NYC · June 2026

Four cuisines. Four Rioja styles. One activation demonstrating why Spain’s most food-flexible wine region belongs on every list.

Rioja x Time Out Market | NYC · June 2026

Tapas Tuesday: A Case Study in Rioja’s Range

This June, Rioja partnered with Time Out Market Union Square to run a four-week food and wine pairing series — Tapas Tuesday. Each week, four TOM vendors paired a signature dish with a featured Rioja wine, with a brand ambassador on-floor for free consumer tastings from 6–8 PM. The result: a live, multi-cuisine proof of concept for Rioja’s pairing range, from aromatic Blancos to structured Reservas.

Pairing Analysis

The Pairings — And Why They Work

Reserva

Valenciso Reserva

× Kebabawala — Prime NY Strip Beef Bihari

Reserva-level Tempranillo aged in American and French oak brings the structural weight to stand against cumin, dried chili, and charred beef fat. The wine’s tertiary leather and spice notes mirror rather than fight the marinade — a reliable template for oak-aged Tempranillo with spiced red meat preparations.

Rosado

Viña Real Rosado

× Khai Ram Thai — Crispy Wings, Thai Larb & Sweet Chili

A Rioja Rosado — bright, dry, with red fruit and savory grip — is one of the few wine styles that bridges herbaceous larb, fermented fish sauce, and residual sweetness from chili without collapsing. Worth noting for lists with strong Southeast Asian cuisine representation.

Crianza

Beronia Crianza

× Smashed Express — Double Smashburger + Fries

A Crianza’s lighter oak touch and fresher fruit profile avoids the tannin clash that a heavier red would bring to a smashed patty with caramelized crust. Practical, accessible, and a strong by-the-glass argument for Rioja’s everyday range.

Blanco

CVNE Monopole Blanco

× BKLYN Wild — Brussel Sprout Caesar

Viura-dominant with crisp acidity and minerality — the case for Rioja Blanco as a serious food wine. Earthy brassica, anchovy-forward Caesar dressing, and citrus all resolve cleanly against the wine’s structure. Use this pairing as an entry point for guests hesitant about white Rioja.

Event Details

When & Where

Time What’s On
12:30 PM – Close Tapas Tuesday pairing menu at TOM vendors · June 9, 16, 23 & 30
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Free consumer tastings with Rioja brand ambassador

Add Rioja to Your Pairing Toolkit

These four pairings represent the breadth of what Rioja’s classifications can do across contemporary menus. For tasting notes, producer information, and wholesale contacts, explore the Rioja Trade resources below.

Explore Trade Resources →

You must be 21 years of age or older to view this website.

Please come back when you are 21 years or older. Thank you for your interest in Rioja.