Founded in 1959, Campo Viejo is now the largest wine company in Rioja. It is the number one Spanish brand in the UK. Their Rioja is the best selling red wine in the UK. I joined the winemakers for a tasting via Zoom, as Spain currently has a second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. The…
Month: August 2020
‘Cune’ Imperial Rioja Reserva 2015
Cune Imperial Reserva is a rioja ‘Reserva’, which means that the wine must have some time aging in oak and futher ageing in the bottle.but not as long as a Gran Reserva. Although the label states ‘Tempranillo’, this wine is in fact a blend of Tempranillo, Mazuela and Graciano. The grapes used for Cune Imperial…
‘Cune’ Rioja Crianza Tempranillo 2016
I explained to a connoisseur once that it is really CVNE, and that ‘CUNE’ came about when a sign arrived on which the sign-writer had mistaken the V for a U – but the company ran with it. He told me I was wrong, and it was just CUNE. I futher explained that it is…
Whispering Angel Rosé
Whispering Angel has acquired cult status. I’m not overstating this. During lockdown a great friend contacted me to say that his supply of it appeared to be in danger of drying up – and this was a big (first world) problem. Many have argued that this is the world’s best rosé; the benchmark from which…
Most Wanted Chardonnay 2019
Clem Yates is a Master of Wine (MW) – one of only about 300 or so, and is also a graduate chemist – so she is well qualified to be a winemaker! The MW label must allude to that qualification! She used to work for Sainsbury’s wine and Tescos before leaving to branch out. She…
Vinedos Barrihuelo, Rioja Rosado, Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference
I continue to be impressed with Tesco’s revitalised ‘Finest’ range and with Sainsburys ‘Taste the Difference’ range. The wine is from Bodegas Muriel: founded in 1926, it is now one of the largest family-owned and managed wine companies in Rioja. They create modern tasting wines. Tasting notes: Dark pink colour. Red fruit aromas. Balanced acidity….
Freixenet Pinot Grigio
I visited the Alto Penedés region near Barcelona to try cavas and when I pulled up at the Freixenet winery (in a brand new Mercedes) they told me, rather rudely, to go away. So I did – to Codorníu, the region’s other major producer. I was warmly welcomed, given a tour and a tasting… I…
Douro White 2019 – Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference
Portuguese wines are not big sellers in the UK – Sainsburys offers 13 ports: just 3 red wines (read my review of one here: https://wordpress.com/block-editor/post/atimeforwine.blog/3908) and this white wine. Tasting notes: Appearance is pale lemon in colour. Floral aromas. Stone fruit flavours and some minerality on the palate. Drier than I expected. Balanced acidity. A…
A Time for Wine 