Campo Viejo
2011 Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background on Rioja Wines
The gold lace/netting originated in 1858 called malla. It was developed as an anti-counterfeiting and fraud device. In the mid-19th century, Camilo Hurtado de Amézaga (the Marqués de Riscal) after a stint in Bordeaux learning winemaking returned home with his newfound knowledge. Key was the use of oak barrel aging at his winery in Elciego. This rocketed the quality of Rioja wines. They became wildly successful winning awards from around the world and the Spanish royalty. His newfound success drew fraudsters and counterfeiters who would buy empty Marqués de Riscal bottles, fill them with inexpensive table wine, re-cork them and sell as authentic bottles of wine.
The gold wiring/mesh was invented in 1858 by the Marqués having it tightly wound the bottle, making it impossible to remove the cork or open the wine without cutting the wiring/mesh. This “tamper resistant” approached allowed those getting the wine was genuine.
To protect his brand’s reputation, the Marqués invented gold wire netting in 1858. The wire was woven so tightly around the bottle that it was impossible to remove the cork or open the wine without permanently cutting the mesh. This provided consumers with a tamper-evident seal, ensuring the wine inside was genuine. This then became the symbol of award-winning wines from Marqués de Riscal and easy to identify them. Other producers adopted this successful “cage” technique, and it became synonymous with high end Rioja wines. Today it is just a reminder honoring their heritage and aesthetic classic packaging.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Rioja wines are dark, mature and luscious in a unique fashion. First on the eyes this is a dark brooding wine in the glass. Aromas waft up to the senses of plum, smoky tobacco and dark cherries. On the palate the wine is complex with striking flavors of ripe plums, dark cherries, with a smokiness following closely behind. On the finish, a hint of soft vanilla and mellow silky tannins finish off each sip.
The wine came in at 13.5% alcohol. Gran Reserva Rioja wines must age for a minimum of five years with at least two years in the bottle.
This wine was appropriately aged in the cellar and enjoy this evening as a 2011.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The meal this evening was baked chicken cheese enchiladas. The prep work was done in advance and ready to bake as we wanted to watch the 49’er football game. The ingredients include sour cream, salsa, cheddar cheese, shredded chicken cooked in salsa, corn kernels, cumin, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, black pepper and thinly sliced scallions. The ingredients were wrapped in whole wheat low carb tortillas and then baked. Served with additional salsa on top.
This Rioja wine worked well with the chicken enchiladas with it lively fruit and acidity matching up with the tomato and chili sauce and spices. Without a heavy oak influence the wine cut through the cheese.
A great food and wine pairing this evening.
The Winery in Rioja, Spain
Map from Wine Tourism Spain https://winetourismspain.com/wine-regions/rioja/rioja-wine-map/
From the map you can see the location of Rioja in the northeastern Spain.
Previously, I wrote about Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva having to age minimally two years in the barrel and five years being released. The Camp Viejo winery was built in 2001 and everything from the beginning was constructed on the principles of sustainability from their enology to their architecture. Below is picture of their winery.
There is not much on their website mentioning the winemaker, acreage, etc. One thing that they do mention is wanting the public to come and visit their operation.
Making such delicious wines for them does not require details on a website, just for you to enjoy each sip of this layered and structure wine.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com