The viura grapes used for Cune white rioja originate from vines owned by the winery and also other estates found in the La Rioja region. Is the £10 Barrel fermented rioja much better than their £5 entry level Viura? This wine has benefited from fermentation in new American oak casks for a few weeks at cellar temperature (between…
Tag: Rioja
Campo Viejo Rosé
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…
‘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…
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….
Campo Viejo White Rioja -2019
I met with the winemaker, Elena Adell at a Decanter magazine tasting at Michelin starred Ametsa with Arzak Instruction at Como The Halkin Hotel in Belgravia a few years ago. Their white rioja was up for tasting and I really liked it. The Tempranillo grape has been used in red rioja for ever. Seventeen years…
Vinedos Barrihuelo, Rioja Blanco, Sainsburys 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 and this was (I suspect) selected by Clem Yates: she…
Faustino VII Rioja
A familiar looking bottle – this wine is widely available. My local corner shop stocks it. There are several variations, featuring some kind of Cavalier – who has put me off for years. As an alternative to Campo Viejo, the market leading rioja I gave it a whirl. The standard was about the same and…
Campo Viejo White Rioja – Mutant!
I met with the winemaker, Elena Adell at a Decanter magazine tasting at Michelin starred Ametsa with Arzak Instruction at Como The Halkin Hotel in Belgravia. Their white rioja was up for tasting and I really liked it. The Tempranillo grape has been used in red rioja for ever. Seventeen years ago a man called…
Campo Viejo Rioja – Tempranillo
Tasting Notes: Campo Viejo means ‘Old Field’. Often retails at £6, and when Tesco run their 25% off for 6 promotion this comes down to £4.50. At this price it is fab; soft tannins, fruity, great with Sunday lunch. Despite being owned by Pernod Ricard, Campo Viejo are fiercely Spanish – and their 3…
A Time for Wine 