Vina Real La Virgen
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5 to 15 years from the vintage release, though exceptional vintages can cellar gracefully for two decades or more.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Slow-roasted milk lamb (Lechazo), grilled ribeye steak, and aged sheep's milk cheeses.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) has been a cornerstone of Rioja winemaking since 1879. In the 1920s, they launched the Viña Real label, capturing the essence of Rioja Alavesa's distinct terroir. 'La Virgen' represents a singular expression from a prized parcel in Laserna, Laguardia, where the vines cling to clay-limestone soils under the protective shadow of the Sierra de Cantabria. This red wine is primarily crafted from Tempranillo, showcasing the elegance, bright acidity, and structured tannins typical of Alavesa. Fermented with care and aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels, it bridges Rioja's rich historical legacy with a modern purity of fruit. The name itself pays homage to the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual heritage of the region, where vineyards have been tended for centuries under the watchful eye of local shrines.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers in the historic Barrio de la Estación of Haro, Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE) is a cornerstone of Rioja winemaking. Still family-controlled today, the estate is celebrated for its harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and architectural innovation, featuring a legendary cellar designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel's studio. CVNE's philosophy centers on meticulous vineyard management across Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, producing elegant, structurally complex wines aged in fine oak casks. The winery is globally renowned for its iconic labels, including the historic Imperial Gran Reserva, the fruit-forward Viña Real, and the single-estate expression Contino, which collectively define the pinnacle of classic Spanish Tempranillo.