Behind the Cork™ - Viña Real Rosado

2019 Viña Real Rosado ($14)

This Viña Real Rosado is from the Rioja region of Spain.

It’s a blend of Garnacha, Tempranillo and Viura grapes. They were placed into stainless steel vats and, following several hours of skin contact, the vats were drained, without pressing the grapes. This was then fermented for 20-25 days. In this way the primary aromas of the grapes were retained. The wine was then bottled and allowed to rest for a short time before its release to market.

This Viña Real Rosado is rosie-red in color with a touch of salmon. On the nose it has floral notes along with strawberry and hints of ripe stone fruits such as peach and apricot. On the palate this rosé is delicate with a long, fruit driven finish.

This Viña Real is a great rosé to enjoy on one of these beautiful Spring or Summer days. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White, Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Beronia Gran Reserva

2010 Beronia Gran Reserva ($29.99)

The Rioja region of Spain is famous for its wine that are based on Tempranillo. This Gran Reserva offering from Beronia is comprised of 97% Tempranillo with 3% Graciano.

Tempranillo means "little early one", a name given to it by Spanish growers who observed its habit of ripening early. Graciano's intense aroma makes the variety very popular with winemakers who know that its presence is felt even when used in small volumes.

The very finest of the Rioja wines are the Gran Reservas. They must undergo a total of five years aging, of which at least two years is spent in oak. This one from Beronia spent 28 months in French oak barrels and another 36 months of aging in the bottle.

The aroma of this Beronia Gran Reserva includes dark fruits, such as currant, plum and licorice. There is also a hint of wood. On the palate its got blackcurrants and black cherries, prunes, chocolate and hints of earthiness and tobacco.

While being a deep, dark maroon color, this wine is lighter than you might expect. It’s a medium-bodied wine with subtle tannin and an easy finish.

If you can find this 2010 Beronia Gran Reserva Rioja, pick up a couple of bottles. Open one now and stick the other one away for a while. It will get even better. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster on behalf of González Byass

Behind the Cork™ - Beronia Rioja Reserva

2014 Beronia Rioja Reserva ($19.99)

This Beronia Rioja Reserva comes from the Rioja region of north-eastern Spain.

It is made from a selection of the best grapes from the oldest Tempranillo (95%) vines, Graciano (4%) and Mazuelo (1%).

After fermentation, this Rioja earns its “Reserva” designation by spending 20 months in mixed French and American oak barrels then another 16 months in the bottle before being released to the market.

This Beronia Rioja Reserva has a deep purple color, a bit of a nutty aroma and flavor of ripe plum with the oak aging adding just a bit of chocolate/vanilla flavor. It’s a medium bodied, low tannin and easy on the finish.

This Beronia Rioja Reserva is yet another fine example of an affordable and attainable wine that fits right in as a Behind the Cork™ wine of the week feature. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster for González Byass

Behind the Cork™ - Beronia Crianza

2016 Beronia Crianza ($14.99)

The Rioja region of Spain is noted for its Tempranillo and this one from Beronia is indeed noteworthy.

This is a typical Rioja blend of grapes consisting of 91% Tempranillo, 8% Garnacha and 1% Mazuelo (a.k.a Carignan).

The Tempranillo in this wine defines its structure. The Grenache provides more berry flavors and spices while adding to its wonderful aroma. Finally, the Carignan, even this wine’s 1%, adds acidity and an ever-so-slight hint of tannin.

With nice bright fruit on the nose, this wine immediately yields red fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry. Its medium body allows the fruit flavors to shine though.

This wine’s label includes the word “crianza.” In case you are not familiar with this term, crianza indicates that wine has spent one year in oak barrels.

The oak aging was done in mixed barrels with American oak staves and French oak caps. This process added subtle spice flavors and yielded low tannin. This makes for an easy finish with each sip.

This is a very nice wine that can pair with lighter fare and also stands up nicely with bigger-flavored foods.

As with all wines featured as a Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week, it’s very affordable and easily attainable. Enjoy! Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster, Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Cune Rosado

2018 Cune Rosado ($13)

This wonderful Cune rosé is from the Rioja region of Spain and is made from their famous Tempranillo.

The bright red color of this Cune rosé is spectacular. And, hence, it’s big Maraschino cherry and ripe strawberry flavors are no surprise.

These grapes are handpicked and placed in stainless steel tanks at low temperature to delay the onset of fermentation. During these 24 to 48 hours, the must develops this bright red color and then is drained from the vat. Fermentation then begins but it is maintained at 16-18C to preserve the bright aromas and fruit flavors characteristic of this Cune rosé.

Serve this one nicely chilled and enjoy! Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White of Donna White Communications