Rioja is one of the oldest and best known wine making regions of Spain with a strong tradition of aging the wines to develop elegance and finesse. Stop by the shop this Saturday and sample some selections from two great Rioja wineries –CUNE and Beronia. CUNE began in 1879 in Rioja Alta. They make very traditional styled wines that typify old school Rioja. Beronia on the other hand was founded in 1970 by some friends who wanted to make wines more to their own tastes. Their wines are more modern in style with more extraction. Both are delicious. Come see which style you like best.

2009 CUNE Bianco $11

100% Viura

Fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel vats, the CUNE Bianco is aromatic, fresh and complex white. The wine has fresh, fragrant fruity aromas of green apple and lemon, typical of Viura. Bright and fresh in the palate, with good balancing clean acidity and a lingering rounded finish.

2007 CUNE Crianza $13

80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, and 10% Garnacha Tinta

The grapes for the Crianza are hand harvested, macerated and fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain varietal aromas. The wine is then aged in American oak casks for at least 12 months, with regular rackings to develop its finesse. The wine has aromas of red berries over the oaky and balsamic notes from its aging in wood. It has a full mouth feel, lively cherry fruit with some spice back notes and a balanced acidity. This wine usually sells for $18 to $20 but due to the vagaries of the market we get to sell it at $13.

2008 Beronia Crianza $15

84% Tempranillo, 13% Garnacha, and 3% Graciano

Beronia’s Crianza is aged for 12 months in mixed oak barrels and one year in bottle. The wine has aromas of tobacco, vanilla and dark fruit. It is a fine blend of full fruit flavors, smooth tannins with a spicy toasted finish.

2001 Beronia Rioja Gran Reserva $27

84% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano and 4% Mazuelo.

Rioja Gran Reserva wines are aged at least two years in oak and three years in bottle. Tanzer’s wine colored prose says it better than we can. Bright red. Attractive aromas of candied cherry, plum and cedar, with vanilla and clove notes coming up with air. Sweet, open-knit and nicely focused, offering palate-staining red and dark berry flavors and mounting vanilla and cocoa qualities. A musky herbal quality lingers on the long, sweet, sappy finish. There’s a decadent quality to this wine that calls for lamb or a piece of dry-aged steak.- Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar