Washington Tempranillo v. Rioja

This year's edition of the Volta a Catalunya did not stay within the confines of the Catalunya region.  Instead, it traced a route through most of Spain that skirted the Rioja region on the third and fourth stages of the week long race.

Spending two days in the vicinity of Rioja certainly provided a great opportunity for the pro racers to enjoy some excellent wines.  In addition to the cycling action, Rioja is also celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Ultimately, the general classification was won by Jonas Vingegaard in his early season built up to an attempt at winning his third Tour de France in July.

This edition of the Lucha Vino challenge pits the 2012 Idilico Tempranillo against the 2016 Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza.

Washington Grenache v. Montsant

The Vuelta a Espana started a week ago in North Central Spain and began following the race route to the East through the Navarra, Aragon and Catalunya DOs heading toward Barcelona.  The first week of the race featured a variety of terrain with a couple of uphill finishes forcing the favorites to actually race their bikes in the early part of this grand tour.

The Spanish racers are always motivated to make a good showing at their home race.  So, it is not surprising to see Joaquim Rodriguez in the leader's red jersey at the end of the first week of racing.

The Vuelta also features the return of Alberto Contador from his ban for testing positive for Clenbuterol (or as his story goes ingesting the illegal drug via a tainted piece of Spanish beef, sure...).  Contador's form is a mystery.  He has been near the top of the field for the first week of the race, but has not shown the dominating style he flashed prior to his ban.  Is he faking?  Was he doping? And now a "clean" Alberto Contador cannot match the doped up Contador performance?  Who knows?

Regardless of the Contador mystery, the racing has been compelling so far.  Continuing the mystery theme the Lucha Vino matchup features a mystery Grenache from Walla Walla this week.

2009 Renegade Wine Co. Grenache v. 2007 Celler de Capcanes Mas Donis Barrica