Michel Rolland and Javier Galarreta
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The Alava-born entrepreneur recognized the signs of his age and created Spanish Fine Wines in 2001, a second union that grouped other wineries from other respected Spanish regions. Today, Javier Ruiz de Galarreta continues to create new wine ventures, characterized by quality, global projection and respect to the roots and identity of Spanish vineyards.
From the production of prestigious wines to the organisation of tastings, Araex-Spanish Fine Wines Groupâs activities stand out for their excellence and vision. Among their latest initiatives is their current collaboration with world-renowned winemaker Michel Rolland = what is this project called.
But nowadays, ARAEX together with Spanish Fine Wines has grown enormously and is a key player in global winemaking and exports. Araex controls over 4000ha that represent more than 22% of total Rioja Alavesa total export figures. The group exports to more than 250 importers in over 70 countries around the world. They have twice been named Spainâs best export company: first in 2001 by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and again in 2009 by the leading Spanish industry publication, Wine Markets and Distribution.
Rioja map
Rioja Alavesa
Located between the Ebro River and the imposing rocky mass of the Sierra Cantabria, Rioja Alavesa is smallest sub-region with the highest elevation in the Denomination of Origin Rioja. The Sierra Cantabria protects the area from the cold and humid Northern winds, and the vineyards descend in terraces and ravines that shape this unique microclimate. For centuries the Basque region has been dedicated to vine growing, and the area is known for their use of Spainâs native grape tempranillo. This is replicated in the Araex wineries, which use tempranillo to create a sense of a place in their wines.
Rooted in the unique light-coloured soil, under a bright and clear sky, the Tempranillo vines stunningly dominate this landscape. Scattered across the land medieval villages and historic mansions give character to a region that is a real attraction to visitors; finding a perfect balance of nature, gastronomy, tradition and wine.
The Araex group comprises of multiple wineries within Rioja Alavesa. Each winery dedicates itself to their village and uniquely expresses their terroir and history. See top Rioja Alavesa wines...
Altos de Rioja, Pigeage 2009
Modern, dense and powerful, with manual pigeage or pumping over three times a day for fullest flavour. 90% Tempranillo with Graciano, given a modern edge: purity and a clean, mineral finish.
Laguardia - Altos de Rioja
Although a relative newcomer to Rioja, this boutique winery in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa is passionately led by a group of experienced professionals with impeccable credentials in the world of Spanish wine. Joint owners and longstanding winemakers Roberto San Ildefonso and Bienvenido Muñoz are creating a range of uniquely modern Rioja wines.
Roberto and Bienvenido boast decades of experience between them, and combined with the expertise of Laithwaitesâ flying wine maker Jean-Marc Sauboua, who oversees the project, the bodega conveys an expert winemaking heritage. Consequently, the winery has been able to replicate a high level of quality and a distinctive personality in their wines that is rarely seen from young wineries. Their rapid success is the result of a strong guiding philosophy and a determination to balance the richness of the terroir and the traditional work in the vineyard with the latest technological advances.
Baigorri, de Garage 2008
Complex palate with flavours of ripe red fruits, raisins, tobacco and liquorice. Well balanced with smooth tannins from both the grape and the French oak. Shows excellent weight with a long and smooth finish.
Samaniego - Bodegas Baigorri
Bodegas Baigorri returns winemaking to its origins in its state-of-the-art facility that is as much a work of art as the wines it creates. Cleverly built for the winemaking process, an elegant glass structure emerges from the soil and welcomes the visitor with a stunning display of the surrounding vineyards, emphasizing that it is here where the process begins.
Baigorri then dives more than 30 metres below the surface and relies on gravity to drive the fruit and must through its evolution towards world-class wine. The absence of hoppers, pumps or mechanical methods of any kind ensures that the individually selected grapes and the resulting wine are insulated from any potential damage. The result of this combination of careful vine management, rigorous selection and innovative architecture is a collection of well rounded, modern wines with a distinct personality.
Lar de Paula Merus, Crianza 2010
Medium bodied with polished tannins but good intensity. A balanced pass in the mouth with fresh acidity.
Elvillar - Bodegas Lar de Paula
At one of the highest points in Rioja Alavesa, in the village of Elvillar de Ãlava, the Meruelo family created Lar de Paula in 1964. The winery itself has been built with a single purpose in mind: turning top-quality tempranillo grapes into classic expressions of elegant Rioja wine. Sourced from vineyards more than 600 metres above sea-level, rising from a mix of clay and limestone, the grapes reach a perfect balance of ripeness and acidity due to extreme temperature differences of 20ºC or more.
The Meruelo brothers Fernando and Toni are transforming the finest Tempranillo grapes into great modern Rioja wines at Bodegas Lar de Paula. Protected from the north by the
Sierra Cantabria and thriving on the fertile Ebro Valley to the south, the regionâs benign climate ensures the supply of quality fruit from some of the highest vineyards in Rioja.
Luis Cañas, Reserva Selección de la Familia 2008
Full, with a good presence of the tannins, although these are offset by the glycerine-like character, resulting in a fleshy feel. Long lasting and lingering.
Villabuena - Bodegas Luis Cañas & Amaren
At family owned bodega Luis Cañas there is a real obsession with the vine based on the belief that the best wines can only be obtained from the best grapes. 310 hectares of outstanding vineyards distributed in 815 different plots, all systematically monitored by the viticulture department. Each plot, depending on its characteristics, is used for a certain wine, each with their own personality. Control of the vines, (most of them very old) their yields and respect for the environment in the viticulture processes are some of the key ingredients to making the final product something truly unique.
The winery is located in Villabuena, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. Thanks to its climate, terroir and a thorough knowledge of the best cultivation techniques, the area is known internationally for its quality.
Luis Cañasâ iconic wines named Amaren means the search for perfection in all fields. They strive for this in the vineyard; its selection, its production and its aging in order to achieve wines that bring emotion and pleasure. The grapes used to produce Amaren wines come from small plots located in slopes and terraces planted with low-yield old vines that produce exceptional wines. Harvest is done manually and always with the utmost respect for the environment. As quality is the essence of Amaren wines, they are only available in good vintages and its production is limited.
Labastida, Manuel Quintano 2005
Full, with a good presence of the tannins, although these are offset by the glycerine-like character, resulting in a fleshy feel. Long lasting and lingering.
Labastida - Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida
Born in 1964 in the same Rioja village as Manuel Quintano, the 18th century monk who brought Bordeaux wine-aging techniques to Spain, Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida continues this pioneering spirit in the elaboration of their wines. Yet, even with brand new facilities, stocked with the latest wine-making technology, it is Labastidaâs vineyards that distinguish this winery above all others.
The 500-plus hectares are nestled between the banks of the Ebro River and the foot of the Sierra Cantabria mountains in one of the most unique and privileged areas in all of Rioja. The vines are protected from the Atlantic wind and rain while enjoying warm air currents brought from the Mediterranean by the Ebro. The result is the ideal proportion of precipitation with warm days and cool nights, making Labastidaâs vineyards some of the best in Rioja.
Michel Rolland & Javier Galarreta, R&G Rioja 2010
It is ample and fleshy and has elegance, complexity and power. On the palate, it shows soft tannins and liquorice, a velvety structure and a long, delicious and persistent finish.
Labastida - R&G Rolland Galarreta
Two cultures and two different winemaking styles with a common goal have brought together French winemaker and consultant Michel Rolland and Spanish wine entrepreneur Javier Galarreta. They both believe that Spain has excellent terroir and extensive knowhow to make great quality wines with real projection in the international markets. France meets Spain in this innovative project which has created vineyards in three iconic regions throughout Spain: Rueda, Ribera and Rioja.
The project in Rioja is made near the town of Labastida. Galarreta and Rolland searched the region with a fine comb to find the plot for R&G. However, what truly sets Labastida apart (as mentioned above) is its unique blend of Mediterranean and Continental climates preventing an excess of rain and extreme cold. In addition, the shallow, calcareous soil limits the yield of the harvest and the size of the grapes while increasing the volume of the skin, resulting in deeper colour and greater concentration of flavour.
