Weekly treats are back, and just in time - This week's pair are guaranteed to add some cheer to this cold, icy January!
We want to continue to say thank you for all the support we have been given over the last year the best way we know how...by offering incredible wines at honest prices with some amazing weekly treat wines thrown in! We aren't trying to move stock with these wines, we haven't inflated any prices to give a discount, we genuinely aren't making any money on these wines... hence why we are only letting you take TWO BOTTLES MAXIMUM.
C.V.N.E Contino Rioja Reserva
This fabulous Rioja shows juicy blackberry fruit, liquorice and balsamic notes with an elegant touch of oak. Some Graciano joins Tempranillo in the blend, giving acidity and great freshness.
In 1879 C.V.N.E was founded by Eusebio and Raimundo Real de Asua in Rioja. 140 years later C.V.N.E is still controlled by the descendants of the founders. With foundations dating from the 16th century, the 62h hectare estate is located in a bend in the River Ebro. Here, a particular microclimate gives a special character to the wine. The name Contino refers to the royal guard of 100 soldiers who continually 'de contino', guarded the king and his family. One of their members, Don Pedro de Samaniego, was rewarded for his loyalty with the property, now home to Contino. In 1973, Contino established the concept of the 'Bordeaux Chateau' in Rioja, creating the first single estate Rioja.
The wine was made from perfectly ripe, hand-selected and harvested grapes from the vineyards around Finca de San Rafael. The grapes were destemmed and then fermented in 12,000 litre stainless steel tanks at 28-30°C. After a post fermentative maceration of 15 to 20 days, malolactic fermentation was completed. The wine was then racked to previously used barrels (40% American oak and 60% French oak) where it remained for two years. It was then bottled and aged for a further year in the Contino underground cellars until being released to the market.
The dream food match but be roast suckling pig, but would work equally well with grilled and roasted red meats. Why not try with Jamie's Epic Roast Pork.
Gomez Cruazado Rioja Blanco
Poised, yet complex nose with notes of honeysuckle, stone fruit and gentle toasty oak. The palate is beautifully textured, with an almost exotic note, evident yet perfectly integrated oak and ripe fruit. Complex and with a long toasty, citrus finish.
The Gómez Cruzado winery dates back to 1886 when Angel Gómez de Arteche started to produce and bottle his own wine in Haro, at the very heart of Rioja Alta. This was in the day when the wine trade between Rioja and France passed along the Tudela-Bilbao line, and the key Rioja wineries were located around the station of Haro. The winery sits just 100m from the station to this day. Subsequently bought by Angel and Jesus Gomez Cruzado in 1916, and more recently by the Baños family, David González (winemaker) and Juan Antonio Leza (viticulturalist) now head up the winemaking team. They have been working with Gomez Cruzado for over 10 years, crafting wines from vineyards of old bush vines in the most elevated areas of Rioja Alta and Alavesa. Vines grow in poor, white, chalky-clay soils, on sunny slopes at the highest part of the sierra (up to 750m altitude) - where the Mediterranean and Atlantic climates meet. The area produces wines with freshness and elegance.
The vines are low yielding, and harvesting is by hand into 200kg crates. The grapes are hand-sorted at the winery, then lightly pressed and a wild fermentation occurs. Alcoholic fermentation is in stainless steel at low temperatures to retain freshness, then half the wine spends 5 months in French oak (not roasted, steam bending) with its lees, and half is aged with lees in concrete. The parts are then blended and bottled.
The perfect partner for roast chicken and pasta dishes with creamy sauces. Give it a go with this easy Chicken Alfredo.
To order either click through on the bottles, give us a call or come and visit us in the shop.
We hope you enjoy this week's pairings, let us know how you get on and feel free to tag us on social media showcasing your efforts!