Rioja - but not as we know it

A review of two less-mainstream Rioja styles from CVNE

Say "Rioja" and I first think of a red wine - the Tempranillo grape aged to vanilla-sweet mellowness in American oak barrels; however, it also comes in white and pink versions.

Cune Barrel Ferment Blanco 2011, £9.49, Waitrose, Tanners Wine Merchants, Christopher Piper Wines

A blend of Viura and Malvasia, golden sandy yellow.

Ripe citrus and orchard fruit, fresh clean acidity and some prominent but well-balanced toasty oak; also a touch of sherry-esque salinity.

All-round crowd-pleaser with no rough edges. Good.

A versatile food wine, match with roast white meat, pasta in creamy sauces or meaty white fish.

Cune Rosado 2012, RRP £9.49, Majestic, Ellie’s Cellar, Taylor’s Fine Wine, Partridge’s of Sloane Street

Varietal Tempranillo, crimson in the glass, aromas of red fruits and bubblegum on the nose.

More soft red fruits on the palate and clean acidity - entirely pleasant but a little bland.

I would happily serve this to guests at a summer garden party but am not convinced about the price; there are plenty of other equally good pinks at several pounds less than this.

A pleasant sipper - or match with light shellfish dishes or sushi.

Both wines provided for review.

Other related articles
The CWB Rioja-Off

Links
CVNE - website
The Wine Society - website
Majestic - website
Waitrose - website