Last Thursday, Barcelona’s Gretchen Thomas was joined by West Side Wines to present two of Spain’s most ground-breaking wine producers: La Rioja Alta (Rioja, Spain) and Raventos I Blanc (Penedes, Spain). Both wineries played pinnacle roles in the development of their respective wine regions and the standards of their D.O.’s. They are two of the most highly regarded names amongst Spanish wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts, and proudly sold in Barcelona Wine Bars and West Side Wine’s retail store. This walk-around tasting featured all of the available vintages of La Rioja Alta, including the 1998 Gran Reserva ‘890,’ and the outstanding cavas of Raventos.
Andrew Mulligan of Michael Skurnik Wines pouring La Rioja Alta wines
Olive Oil Poached Tuna Montadito w/ Caviar
Peter Slywka of Michael Skurnik Wines pouring Raventos I Blanc cavas
The La Rioja Alta wines lineup: Vina Alberdi Reserva, 2007 / Vina Arana Reserva, 2006 / Vina Ardanza Reserva, 2005 / ‘904’ Gran Reserva, 2001 / ‘904’ Gran Reserva, 2004 / ‘890’ Gran Reserva, 1998
Mariscos Paella
The Raventos I Blanc cavas lineup: La Vida del Camp / Conca de Riu Anoia Brut L’Hereu / Conca de Riu Ania Brut Rose de Nit
A magnum of la Rioja Alta Gran Reserva ‘904’ 1998 from the personal collection of Greg Nemergut (Owner of West Side Wines in West Hartford, CT)
Ertan Sener (Store Manager/Buyer for West Side Wines) pondering a glass of rose cava
