The Walman Report®
Featuring
Travel Restaurants Entertainment & Wine _files/image001.gif){kind=small}
By Nancy Walman
As Aired on
WQXR, The Radio Station of the NY
Times, Seen in
Delta & Continental In-flight Magazines, CulinaryGourmetNY, The Internet
World Guidebook &
Syndicated to Newspapers, Magazines & Websites Worldwide
Copyright 2005 by
Punch In International® News Syndicate
http://www.punchin.com/ E-Mail: walmanreport@punchin.com
Punch In is Proud to be the Recipient of the
Prestigious 5 Star Web-Award For Distinguished Content
Wine On Line®_files/image002.gif){kind=small}
Nancy Walman, Publisher
Copyright 2005 by
Wine On Line® News Syndicate
http://www.wineonline.net/ E-Mail: mailto:wine@punchin.com
Pasternak
Wine Imports Becomes Sole U.S. Agent and Importer for
Compañia
Vinícola del Norte de España, (CVNE)
Pasternak Wine Imports is
delighted to announce its agreement with CVNE to become the sole US Agent and
Importer. The appointment is effective immediately and the wines are expected
to ship by June. The CVNE today, Spain’s
preeminent producer of Rioja controls three distinct companies.
CUNE- Cuné, is situated in Rioja where the oldest wineries of Rioja
Alta established themselves, Haro. Cuné has expanded from its
original
19th century cellars to the most high tech fermentation and winemaking facility
in Rioja. Cuné produces a wide range of
traditional Rioja wines in its Haro cellars including:
Crianza, Reserva, Rosé, and White wines. The great Imperial brand, Spain’s most
well known Rioja, is produced at this winery.
VIÑA REAL- Viña Real is located on the slope of the Cerro de la Mesa
in Rioja Alavesa. The soils and climate of this area are optimal
for growing Tempranillo. In the cellar, the French architect
Philippe Mazieres, combines the concepts of man, nobility and modernity
with the use of concrete, wood and stainless steel in the
new cellar inaugurated in 2004. VIÑA REAL wines are modern in
structure, balance and elegance, with a potential for years
of aging. Cutting edge technology married to Alavesa terroir.
CONTINO- In 1973, Contino established the concept of the ¨Bordeaux Chateau¨ in
Rioja. This historic 153-acre single estate has
maintained
the rustic style of its buildings with modern technology for making classic
wines with distinctive character. Contino wines
Is a result of three different soils, alluvial, clay and
limestone. The wines have earned a reputation as classics, which result from
the
unique combination of terroir, modern winemaking and traditional
aging in barrels and bottles. Contino IS Spain’s icon wine, its Super
Rioja.
With three wineries based on tradition, innovation and
farming, CVNE celebrated its 125th anniversary last year. According to Victor
Urrutia, great-grandson of the founder, “The United States
clearly appreciates quality wine and is a priority for the growth of our
company. We are pleased to have Pasternak Wine Imports as
our importer and represent our wines in the USA.” James Galtieri,
President & CEO of Pasternak commented, “We are thrilled
to represent the wines of CVNE, without question the most exceptional
producer in Rioja.”
The Wines
Having lived in Span for some time, we have
grown to cherish the wines and food and have watched the amazing progress of an
already great product over the years. That America is just discovering that
Spain produces world-class wines is no surprise. Cune and Vina Real were wines
we drank and adored years ago. They are better than ever and Contino has become
to Rioja what the so-called “Super
Tuscan” labels have become to Tuscany. Despite the strong (well less strong
these days) Euro, top of the line Spanish wines are still some of the best
values in the wine world. Follows tasting notes on some of our favorites, all
of which rate A+ in Wine On Line.
Contino
Reserva 1999
The Contino wines are produced solely from the vineyards on the estate;
62 hectares located within a meander of the river Ebro near the village of
Laserna and close to the town of Laguardia in the province of Rioja Alavesa. In
times of the Reyes Catolicos (Ferdinand of Aragon and Elisabeth of Castille)
the distinction of ‘Contino’ was conferred on each of the continuation of the
Life Guards who protected the monarchs and their family. The Contino Pedro do
Samaniego was rewarded with the estate of Laserna from which the Contino estate
derives its name. The three varietals on which Contino wines are based are;
Tempranillo which gives a good balance between sugar, color and acidity;
Mazuelo which gives good tannin structure; and Graciano which has good color
and a powerful aromatic characteristic.
THE VINEYARD
The Contino wines are produced solely from the vineyards on the estate;
62 hectares located within a meander of the river Ebro near the village of
Laserna and close to the town of Laguardia in the province of Rioja Alavesa. In
times of the Reyes Catolicos (Ferdinand of Aragon and Elisabeth of Castille)
the distinction of ‘Contino’ was conferred on each of the continuation of the
Life Guards who protected the monarchs and their family. The Contino Pedro do
Samaniego was rewarded with the estate of Laserna from which the Contino estate
derives its name. The three varietals on which Contino wines are based are;
Tempranillo which gives a good balance between sugar, color and acidity; Mazuelo
which gives good tannin structure; and Graciano which has good color and a
powerful aromatic characteristic.
HARVEST & AGEING
Contino wines are a result of three different soils; alluvial, clay and
limestone. The wines made from this farm not only benefit from this specific
microclimate but are also enhanced by malo-lactic fermentation in oak barrel
and aging in new and 1st or 2nd full oak barrels. The size of this farm allows
this single estate property to have a maximum control over the wines main
components, the selection and growing of grapes and the style of aging applied.
Old selected vines with low yields and correct south facing exposure are
meticulously grown in the most traditional and natural ways. The individually
hand picked bunches of grapes are matured to perfection prior to entering the
winery only seconds away from the vineyard. The small and wide vinification
vats, where individual plots are vinified by variety are controlled in the most
attentive ways during the harvest time.
Contino Reserva is a wine that reflects the terroir of this wonderful
estate. Garnet red, quite full in color. Complex plum and bramble nose, with
soft vanillas and hints of sweetness. Full and firm on the palate, with good
acidity. Rich, round and complex, good autumn berry and plum fruits. Good
length and reasonable balance, the wine usually needs a further year in bottle
for the wood to settle with the fruit.
Grape Varieties: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo
Appellation: D.O.C Rioja
Finished Alcohol: 13.45%
Contino Reserva 1999
Perfect with beef, lamb and Spanish blue cheese.
Imperial
Reserva 1998
THE VINEYARD
Cvné, is situated in Rioja in the traditional neighborhood of the
station, where the oldest wineries of Rioja Alta established themselves, for the
main reason of transporting their goods to the port of Bilbao. In 1879, two
brothers decided to set up a business in the recently flourishing trade of the
wine business. C.V.N.E., Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (The Northern
Spanish Wine Company) or la Cuné, as it is commonly known in Haro, was created.
This cellar takes us back to the origins of the company and is still kept in
the traditional neighborhood of the Haro station. The Cuné winery in Haro, is
made up of a group of buildings, mostly from the 19th century and arranged around
a courtyard surrounded by pavilions for the purpose of wine production, aging,
and bottling. Imperial is a true classic in Rioja and was first produced in the
twenties. Its name comes after a special bottling for the English market, in a
measure called 'Pinta Imperial' or 'Imperial Pint' (an Imperial pint, half a
litre approximately). Imperial is only produced in exceptional vintages.
Intensely elegant bright, deep ruby color. The nose shows unexpectedly
marked Tempranillo characteristics, with undertones of blackberry and
liquorice. The palate is rich in deep mature fruit, but with balsamic and
toasty notes. It is dry, but velvet in the palate, and with sufficient body and
structure to give great length and finesse in the finish.
Grape Varieties: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo
Appellation: D.O.C.a Rioja
Finished Alcohol: 13.17%
Imperial Reserva 1998
Imperial is one of the big brands of Spain. It is a true classic in
Rioja and was first produced in the twenties. Its name comes after a special
bottling for the English market, in a measure called 'Pinta Imperial' or
'Imperial Pint' (an Imperial pint, half a litre approximately). From 1928 these
wines could be found at the top restaurants and shops all over Spain. It has
always been characterized for its very high and constant quality, in every
vintage. The Imperial range includes a 'Reserva' and a 'Gran Reserva' and is
only produced in exceptional vintages. Lovely with roast chicken, grilled
salmon, veal and assertive goat cheese.
Viña Real
Crianza 2002
THE VINEYARD
Viña Real was developed by Cuné in the 1940’s. Sixty years later, Cuné
took the decision to finally give Viña Real its real home, where not only is
the wine produced but also aged and bottled. Viña Real is located on the “Cerro
de la Mesa” hill, Rioja Alavesa. The soils of this area are composed of the
best properties for the growing of the Tempranillo grape variety together with
an optimum microclimate. The vineyards run from the Cantabria mountains all the
way to the river Ebro, with southern exposed slopes. José Ryan Murua is the
resident winemaker of Viña Real, a connoisseur of the region and direct
descendent, giving him knowledge and an advantage to source grapes of excellent
quality.
This red wine spends an average of 14 months in a mixture of American
and French oak barrels. Ripe, mature cherry red, with a complex, elegant nose
and lovely balance between ripe fruit and light toasty oak, undertones of cocoa
and warm spices. Full and ripe on the palate with integrated noble tannins and
a richly structured long finish. If there were ever a perfect picnic wine, this
is it.
Grape Varieties: 90% Tempranillo, 10% between Graciano, Mazuelo and
Garnacha
Appellation: D.O.C.a Rioja
Finished Alcohol: 13.5%
Viña Real Crianza 2002
Viña Real
Gran Reserva 1995
This red wine is produced from selected grapes obtained only from
exceptional vintages. Bright ruby, cherry red with good color structure. Extremely
elegant on the nose, balancing mature, fine fruit with the toasty, spicy notes
from the wood. On the palate it is rich, structured and complex. If you insist
in pairing it with food, poached chicken, game and semi-soft cheese are the way
to go.
Grape Varieties: 95% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano
Appellation: D.O.C.a Rioja
Finished Alcohol: 13.8%
Viña Real Gran Reserva 1995
About Pasternak
Founded in 1988, Pasternak Wine Imports is a national
importer of fine wines and spirits from France, Spain, Portugal, Australia,
New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and California. Headquartered
in Harrison, NY, the company distributes its products in all fifty states
through wholesalers and state boards. Their producers are
leaders in their regions and their portfolios are all exceptional in quality
and value. For further information, please visithttp://www.pasternakwine.com/.
Cvné, is situated
in Rioja in the traditional neighborhood of the station, where the oldest
wineries of Rioja Alta established themselves, for the main reason of
transporting their goods to the port of Bilbao.
In 1879,
two brothers decided to set up a business in the recently flourishing trade of
the wine business. C.V.N.E., Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (The
Northern Spanish Wine Company) or la Cuné, as it is commonly known in Haro, was
created. This cellar takes us back to the origins of the company and is still
kept in the traditional neighborhood of the Haro station.
The Cuné
winery in Haro, is made up of a group of buildings, mostly from the 19th
century and arranged around a courtyard surrounded by pavilions for the purpose
of wine production, aging, and bottling.
CabaretNYC®_files/image003.gif){kind=small}
Website: http://www.cabaretnyc.com/ E-Mail: mailto:cabaret@punchin.com
Future
Issue
Broadway On The Net®_files/image004.gif){kind=small}
http://www.broadwayonthenet/
E-Mail: mailto:bway@punchin.com
Travel Prose®_files/image005.gif){kind=small}
http://www.travelprose.com/
E-Mail: mailto:travel@punchin.com
These reviews are available and have been seen on the Internet. Click here to see an index of other reviews on the worldwide web <http://www.punchin.com>. <http://www.wineonline.net>. They have been heard on WNCN, WEVD and WQXR radio, seen in Fodor's and Mobil Guide Books, and printed in Chocolatier, Troika, Trump and Metropolitan Millionaire magazines and newspapers and throughout the world, including the NY Post, Women's Wear Daily and the NY Times, via the Punch In International Network. This review may be reprinted free of charge, so long as source and byline credit are included: "The Walman Report," "Punch In International®," Wine On Line International®.
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE PUNCH IN HOME PAGE
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO WALMAN'S NEWEST REVIEWS
CLICK HERE FOR WALMAN'S HISTORIC REVIEWS
CLICK HERE FOR INTERNET WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE
CLICK HERE FOR BROADWAY ON THE NET