The spring edition of Wine Spectator, one of the world’s most influential wine publications, features Rioja on its cover and devotes an in-depth article to the region’s evolution, highlighting the wines that best reflect its current energy and diversity.
Rioja takes center stage in Wine Spectator’s spring issue, with Imperial Gran Reserva highlighted as one of the region’s most iconic classic wines.
At the center of the feature is Imperial Gran Reserva 2018, which appears both on the cover and in the article titled “Catching Up with the Dynamic Spanish Region”, written by Alison Napjus. The wine received an outstanding score of 94 points and is listed among the “Top Recommended Wines from Rioja”, alongside Contino Viña del Olivo 2021 (94 points) and Contino Blanco 2021 (92 points).
Cune Reserva 2020 also received 91 points and was included in the “Top Recommended Value Wines from Rioja” selection, which highlights wines offering exceptional quality at great value.
These ratings are the result of a tasting of over 300 wines from the region. In the article, Napjus reflects on how her recent experiences in Rioja reshaped her perception of the region:
“My recent trip and my tastings in the past year really pushed the boundaries in my mind of what I consider Rioja. I think top traditional bodegas are offering wines in an expected style, but with unexpected depth and subtle distinction.”
— Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator
She also underlines the impact of a new generation of producers who, since the 1990s, have been redefining Rioja’s identity through a more modern approach, including Viñedos del Contino among the key names:
“A wave of producers came to the fore in the 1990s offering wines in a newer, what was considered ‘modern’ at the time, style, including Finca Allende, Bodegas Roda, Abel Mendoza, Artadi, Rodríguez’s Bodegas Lanzaga, Bodegas Fernando Remírez de Ganuza, Viñedos del Contino and more.”
CVNE, Among the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands
In addition, this month CVNE has been included, for the third consecutive year, in the Drinks International ranking of The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands. In this latest edition, CVNE ranks 17th worldwide — a recognition based on the votes of buyers, sommeliers, journalists, Masters of Wine, critics, educators and other professionals from across the global wine industry.
One member of the judging panel noted:
“CVNE brilliantly straddles tradition and innovation, and continues to produce better and more exciting Rioja, while branching out with superb offerings from other parts of Spain too.”
These recognitions are a source of motivation and pride for our entire team, and a reminder of the value of continuing to build, day by day, on the legacy of a company that has remained true to its essence since 1879.