Spanish Wines

[GordonCooks]

Other than a few dalliances with Vega Sicilia Unico and sherry - my knowledge of Spanish wine is weak. I'm attending a dinner featuring wines by "Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana" (CUNE) - Does anyone have any info?? Specifically vintages or special bottlings to look for?

Thanks

[blackduff]

Here's some info from Mitchell Beazley's pocket guide (2nd edition) from about 1988. Sorry it's not more up-to-date.

Founded in 1879 in the full flush of the 19th Century Rioja boom and has been making excellent wines ever since.

Used to make a sparkling wine-Champagne method and also a brandy

Look for Imperial or Viña Real reservas.

Monopole is the white wine from CVNE

Contino is the red wine grown on the 40 ha vineyard at La Serna, in the Rioja Alvesa W of Oyon. The 1975 is a big, mellow, full-bodied wine with blackberry flavor and long finish.

The Contino is made by Sociedad Vinicola Laserna who are owned by CVNE.

The info above is dated but the wine is still very nice. I buy this often and have enjoyed it always.

BlackDuff

[Tonyfinch]

Contino's reputation has remained high through a string of excellent vintages in the nineties- 91, 94, 95, 96,97 are all highly rated (although 97 wasn't a particularly good year in Rioja)

CUNE have installed a controversial new vinification plant and some people believe that it has had a negative effect on quality.

[porkpa]

I've tried many vintages of San Vicente. Always been good. Sells for about $25 a bottle. I've thought its very good value.

Porkpa