Navarra Times Summer

Navarra Summer Times 2012_Layout 1 01/08/2012 16:31 Page 1

Issue 04 • Summer 2012

THE NAVARRA TIMES
PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 8
NEWS FROM COMPETITION PRODUCERS
PRODUCERS TIME DIRECTORY
Win a trip to Navarra
A round-up of events Details of producers
and news direct from and who to contact in
Navarra the UK

A TASTe Of NAvArrA
fOr LONDON
A wide variety of producers from Navarra
brought a taste of northern Spain to London
and showcased new producers, new wines,
and some known favourites

Producers, commentators and wine the range of flavours and textures
lovers alike were treated to a and in explanation Carlos Biurrun
selection of some of the best wines of Bodegas Nekeas explained that
of Navarra on Wednesday the 18th one of the main reasons for the
of April in Bar Pepito, Kings Cross as true diversity of the region is the
part of the campaign to bring location of the vineyards. He said:
Navarran wines to a wider UK "There is no singular taste to
audience. Just over thirty wines Navarra. The north is mountainous

One thing that stood out amongst the
wealth of positive commentary from our
visitors was the real connection between
Navarran wines and the food they are
intended to be served with.

Alex Hunt MW meets with Navarran producer Marco Real
were showcased by Inurrieta, like Switzerland, the centre green
Bodegas Chivite, Bodegas Malón de like Central Europe and the south international grapes; Cabernet, consultant for Harpers Wine and
Echaide, Bodega de Sarria, Bodegas is like a desert.” Merlot and Syrah. There were also Spirits trade review reported that
Pago De Larrainzar (Georges Still, many guests found that their some white wines in with the although “Mostly known for its lively,
Barbier of London), Bodega Marco definition of Navarran wines was rosados-from crisp to super sweet.” easy-drinking rosado wines, Navarra
Real and Compania Vitivinicola challenged. Sipswooshspit owner One thing that stood out amongst has lots more to offer than these
Tandem (Hallgarten Druitt.) and blog writer Paola Tich noted the wealth of positive commentary brightly pink summer wines and the
For many, the event was a chance that: “…they weren’t all made from from our visitors was the real particular focus of the tasting was
to get familiar with the differing Garnacha and Tempranillo. There connection between Navarran showing Navarra wines to go with
tastes of the region and experience were some smooth operators- wines and the food they are food.” She also noted that the
the variety of wines on offer. Many alongside some big beasties made intended to be served with. Anne tannic backbone of Calendas
guests expressed their fascination at from, or including, so-called Krebiehal, freelance wine writer and (Ochoa’s wine), Rosado from

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THE NAVARRA TIMES

Bodegas Ochoa marked it out as a his favourites for his review of the “Navarra’s moderate and in some for the time being this means great
food wine with many options of event: "The standard and value-for cases marginal climate afford all of value for money for us.”
accompaniment, while Tandem’s money was all good here, I thought; these wines a refreshing, natural Several of the wines were praised
soon to be released Inmacula Viura with so many receiving ticks, I have acidity while a long wine-making by guests for their originality.
was described as "Marked by starred the "best in class" wines." history lends authenticity and Señorio de Sarría’s No 7 Graciano
natural acidity and freshness, Anne Krebiehal also praised the expertise. Amazingly, Navarra still was described as "Unusual but
textured and long; it is another regions quality versus the value for operates in the shadow of Spain’s delicious""...in all it's clove scented
serious food wine." money we receive in the UK: more Parker-worthy regions- but glory with notes of smoky meat and
Value for money was another well a smooth, rounded body," Inmacula
discussed subject amongst our Viura was praised as a“low-
guests. Wine Blogger, Tom Lewis
The standard and value-for money was all intervention wine, bordering on
noted that the range of affordable good here, I thought; with so many receiving natural, feels rounded and creamy
wines was too large to simply ticks, I have starred the "best in class" wines. with big Natural Wine mouthfeel,”
categorize by price when selecting whilst Pago de Larrainzar 2006 was
described as having “real power –
Richard Bigg, owner, Camino bars meets with Beatrix Ochoa from Bodegas Ochoa the producers aren’t wrong when
they say it has a “strong
personality”. But it also has fragrant,
juicy black cherries mixed with
leather, cedar, almonds When some
food was served, I tried this with
some charcoal grilled steak. Good
match.” All in all it seemed that
everyone found something to their
taste that they wanted to talk about;
demonstrating the potential of
Navarran wines to reach a wide
audience across the UK with their
originality and unique tastes.
The small intimate atmosphere of
Pepito proved to be a perfect
setting for the tasting and, as ever, it
was a joy to see so many familiar
faces and so many new ones. Even
though some of our guests were on
a tight schedule, popping in to see
us when they got a spare moment,
everyone seemed to be getting into
the Spanish spirit and trying
something new. Overall we
received some very positive
feedback from those who attended
about the future of Navarran wines
in the UK and hope to hear even
more at future events across the
country.
www.navarrawine.com

Bespoke Drinks Media Limited Designed by Lucy Erikson
First Floor, 2 The Brook, Southwater Copyright Bespoke Drinks Media Ltd 2012.
Horsham RH13 9UY All rights reserved.
Tel: 01403 733756
Email: info@bespokedrinksmedia.com No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or
Website: www.bespokedrinksmedia.com reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in
Edited by Charlotte Hey any way or means, either by recording or otherwise,
Email: editor@bespokedrinksmedia.com without permission of the publishers in writing.
Wines of Navarra newsletter
is published by Bespoke Drinks Media Ltd. Contributors
on behalf of Wines of Navarra • Charlotte Hey
• Angeline Bayly
• Pilar García-Granero



THE NAVARRA TIMES

Welcome
Summer is here and our thoughts all of our key markets; the UK contact the Wines of Navarra office have to wait and see what the rest
turn to beaches and sun and a chilled continuing to be a priority for our for more information. We are also of the summer and the early autumn
glass of Navarra Rosado. exporters.The tasting we held in the delighted to announce that we will bring in terms of weather but our
The 2011 vintage is drinking Spring proved a great success – our be participating in the Wine Gang growers and winemakers will be
particularly well at the moment and main focus being to talk directly to Tasting in Bath at the end of the year. working hard over the next couple
even though we know you are not buyers in the off and on-trade so that This tasting gives us a great chance to of months to ensure the best
having the best of summers in the we can help improve the distribution get more Navarra wine in the glasses possible results.
UK, we are sure that a glass of one of the region’s wines. Later this year of wine interested individuals.
of our Rosados will help you to we will be taking a group of buyers We are currently preparing for the Wishing you all good summer.
forget the rain. out to Navarra for a three day trip vintage and the signs so far are that Feliz Verano.
This year has been full of and there are still a couple of places we are going to have a good crop Pilar García-Granero
promotional activities for Navarra in so if you would like to join us please and some great quality fruit. We will

News
they got into the gastronomic away with Silver medals in both young wines already made
groove. competitions. In addition the new by Bodegas Ochoa with the
This event follows on from the look Gran Feudo range had Calendas Roble is a new
Navarra Wine festivals that were success in the Challenge and the wine that now joins this
GREAT RECEPTION FOR o popular last year in the region Sommelier Awards wining a new range.
NAVARRA AT VINOFEST itself and is part of the Consejo Broze for the Rosado and a Commenting on the
Last month saw the first edition Regulador’s objective to get a silver for the 2011 Gran Feudo new wines, Adriana
of VINOFEST in San Sebastian. younger generation of consumers Edición Chardonnay 2011. Ochoa, winemaker said,
Thousands of consumers visited interested in Navarran wines. Julián Chivite, president of the “The wines are modern
the Navarran food and wine company, said, “We have been in style and aimed at a
extravaganza which ran for ten For more information working hard to make the most younger generation, the
days in the middle of June. www.vinofestnavarra.com of the fabulous quality we have Calendas Blanco uses
Seventeen wineries from the at Finca Arinzano, our estate in Muscat to bring aroma,
region took part in the event MEDAL WINS FOR CHIVITE the north of Navarra. Finca de freshness and liveliness
where the visitors were able to The new team at Chivite are Villatuerta is a wine that is to the Viura and
sample some great wines delighted with the results their made for enjoyment and easy structure of the
alongside some delicious typical new launch wines have received in drinking and the medals prove Chardonnay. The rosé is
dishes from the region in the the Decanter Wine Awards and that our hard work is starting to made from red grapes using the
form of Pintxo (small, bite-size the International Wine Challenge pay off.” saignée method and in the reds
dishes). Consumers were also this year. The Finca de Villatuerta we use Tempranillo and Garnacha
able to enjoy live music whilst Syrah 2010 and Tinto 2008 walked NEW LAUNCH FOR OCHOA to make a great young wine. The
Bodegas Ochoa has just launched Calendas Roble has a little Syrah
‘Calendas’, a new generation of added to the blend to help with
wines for the company. The aim of the oak ageing and give it an
the range is to create a easy- intense fruity character.”
drinking, accessible wines that not
on adhere to the founding FRAILE DEFENDS
principles of the winery but also INTERNATIONAL VARIETIES
are respectful of the environment. José María Fraile, one of the
The name comes from the word founders from Tandem was
for the first day of the lunar year interviewed by the journalist
according to the Roman calendar, Denise Medrano at the Navarra
the calends of March, just when Wines Tasting earlier this year in
the Bodegas Ochoa vineyard in London and defended the use of
Traibuenas springs into life after the so called international grape
the winter. The ‘Calendas’ range varieties in Navarra – an aspect of
consists of a white, a rosé and two viticulture that is often questioned
reds. Three of these, the white, the by press and trade outside of
rosé and one of the reds, Spain.
represent an image change for the Fraile gave perspective to this
Ochoa brand in relation to the conundrum commenting that



THE NAVARRA TIMES

News
Navarra
for more information on
Wines of Navarra in the UK
“People are going mad over please contact us.
indigenous grapes, but Cabernet Tel: 01403 733756 or email:
and Merlot were planted here info@winesofnavarra.co.uk
before phylloxera. They are in their
natural place given the strong
historical links between the region
and France that has been in
existence long before the
disastrous consequences of
phylloxera hit Spain’s neighbour.
Following their discussion writing
in her blog, Medrano observed
that “Tandem is certainly adding its
own stamp to the classic Bordeaux
blend with its Macula 2004, a 60-
40 split between Cabernet and achieving success internationally, Sommelier Competition.
Merlot. But, for me, there was one the Moscatel a Petit Grains and This raft of awards is testament
style that stood out (from the the Chardonnay 2011 which has to the hard work and effor t put
tasting) – those intense, structured won Silver medals in the UK’s into the wines at Bodegas
and distinctive Navarra red blends. Sommelier Wine awards and in Innurieta which has increased its
Let’s hope they’re enough for the international wine contest, cache of medal tenfold in the past
Navarra to attract new consumers Best Chardonnay du Monde. 12 months.
and step out of Rioja’s shadow.” Only eight Spanish wines have
been awarded with a silver medal MALON DE ECHAIDE WINS
NEW LOOK BODEGA DE in this impor tant international It s been a great year for the
SARRÍA contest. During the contest 908 winesmaker at Bodegas Malón de
Señorio de Sarría s team has been wines coming from 43 different Echaide whose wines have
hard at work launching the new countries all over the world have triumphed in “Le challenge
vintage for its old vine Rosado been tasted and after four days of international du vin” in France. The
within the Viñedo Nº 5 range with tasting and analysis, the jury Viña Parot 2003 Reserva received
completely reworked packaging selected the best wines. a gold medal and a silver for the
bring the wine into line with the Señorio de Cascante 2003 Gran
new Señorio de Sarria corporate BODEGA INURRIETA´S Reserva in the competition.
image. A fruity rosé made from INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS Apart from gaining international
100% garnacha is is harvested by Medal season is upon us and recognition for their wines the
hand in “nº5” block in the winery’s Bodegas Innurieta is no exception winereies benchmark brand
own estate vineyards, near Puente when it comes to picking up gongs Malon de Echaide has had a
La Reina. After a rigorous grape having had a great run of medal complete makeover with new
selection from the 50 year having won a raft of golds, silvers look packaging bringing the brand
old bush vines, the must is and bronzes in competitions from into line with market demands. In
extracted by the traditional the “Challenge International du addition, making the most of the
vat bleeding method. Vin” to the Navarra Sommeliers oppor tunity that the rebrand
This wine has received Competition to the Concours presents, two new wines
international acclaim Mondial de Bruxelles. have been added to the range; the
including Best Rosé of the The wines from the range that Malon de Echaide Blanco is now a
Year and bronze medals have been the most successful are 100% Chardonnay and the
in the International the Innurieta Sur, Mediodia and winemaker has created a new
Wine Challenge 2012 Orchidea winning silvers and golds wine, the “Vendimia Seleccionada”
and at the Challenge in the Concours Mondial, proving that the winery is
International du Vin 2012. Challenge International du investing time and effor t in
But it is not just the Vin, the International Wine producing the best possible
Jay Miller
Chardonnays that are Chalenge and the Navarra quality.

Take a trip to Navarra: See page 5 for details



NAvArrA TrIP 2011
each year Wines of Navarra hosts a UK trade and buyers trip to Navarra, find out how you could be
joining them this September

Navarra is an exciting wine region
with plenty to offer. It epitomises
the diversity Spain has to offer in
terms of quality and value. As part
of the UK’s 2012 promotional
campaign, Wines of Navarra is
offering two independent wine
merchants the opportunity to visit
Navarra this September, as part of
a wider trade buying trip.
Many people do not realise the
sheer variety of the wines
produced in the region, due to its
sub regions, micro-climates,
differing grape varieties and wine
making styles. The trip will allow
you to become familiar with the
different tastes of the region and
be able to talk more knowledgably
about the region as a whole; not
just a handful of producers or
styles. You will also be able to give
your feedback to the winemakers
themselves and see several
different winemaking processes
first-hand.

Philippe Loiseau, restaurant
manager, of Yauatcha
[before]
I visited Navarra
I couldn’t imagine
how rich that region
is, in history,
traditional food, and
wine production.
Three days in Navarra
was something I
couldn’t forget. My
top visit was Ochoa,
with Adriana, the
daughter, making her If you would like to apply for a place on the next trip, and can make 30 September –
own wines which we 3 October from London Heathrow (inclusive) please email: info@winesofnavarra.co.uk
tasted from the barrel. explaining what benefit your company would get from joining us.

These new
Winners will be contacted with full details by august 17th, 2012.
generations of
winemakers are
bringing an air of
change to the region.
And they can
always count on me
to visit again.

W W W . W I N E S O F N A V A R R A . C O . U K


THE NAVARRA TIMES

ON TOUr IN NAvArrA
each year the CrDO Navarra invites buyers out to the region to get closer to the winemakers
and the vines. This year one of the largest groups of buyers visited Navarra to find out more

One of the main focuses of the
Navarra generic campaign has
always been to get people out to the
region because, as Jordi Vidal, general
manager at the CRDO Navarra,
points out, “Until people come to
Navarra they cannot fully appreciate
the diversity and range Navarra has
to offer – from its sub-regions to its
micro-climates, its variety of wine
making styles to the vast number of
grape varieties cultivated.”
He continues, “We firmly believe
that by investing in bringing buyers,
press and opinion formers to
Navarra we are able to give them an
insight into what we are about and
hopefully create an opportunity for
them to speak more knowledgeably
about the region and its wines.”
Last autumn saw the largest trip of
buyers visiting the region in the last
few years as members of the UK
trade, from the on and off-trade,
visited the region for three days of
winery tours and tastings.
The group arrived into Pamplona

WHO’S WHO
The people who visited Navarra
were:
• Emma Harrison, Store
Manager and buyer,The
Sampler
• Paul Walker, Bars Manager,
Rockcliffe Hall
• Gustavo Medina Assistant
Manager,Tate Catering
• Terry Wiseman, Hotel
Purchasing Manager, Saga
Shipping Co
• Andrea Briccarello, Head
Sommelier, Galvin Restaurants
• Richard Bigg, Managing
Director, Cantaloupe Group
• John Hodges, Owner,The
Vineyard at Dorking
• Stephen Arnold, Manager, Ex
Cellar



THE NAVARRA TIMES

late on a Sunday evening to a tapas am sure that Navarra has something
supper in one of the city’s great bars to fill the gap.”
and then bustled off to bed early in Another important part of these
preparation for an early start the visits is to make sure that the buyers
following morning. get a broad vision of the quality of
Monday morning was taken up by the culture and cuisine in Navarra
and introduction to the region in the and so in the evenings the group
Consejo Regulador, situated towards visited restaurants that represented
these aspects well. The second
evening was spent in a Michelin
I was extremely starred restaurant in Enekorri, in
impressed by Pilar at order to give guests a chance to
the Consejo, what sample the best of what Pamplona
energy, vision,
bravery and We will be happy to
determination…! continue stocking
Richard Bigg, Cantaloupe Group wines of Navarra
Gustavo Medina ramirez,
the centre of the region in Olite.The Tate Group
Consejo’s President, Pilar Garcia
Granero, gave the assembled group has to offer and the third evening
an introduction to the region, its was spent in a local Asador on the
origins and the developments that outskirts of the city where the group
have taken place in recent years.The got a feel for a more traditional style
group was particularly interested by of dining enjoying deliciously grilled
the changes to the regulations steaks and local vegetables such as
ensuring higher quality standards Pimientos al Piquillo, fresh white
in production and vinification, which asparagus and chistorra (a spice small
entails rigorous tastings just after paprika sausage similar to chorizo).
vintage and prior to release on the All the guests were impressed with
market. the range of wines available and the
consistent quality of these wines.
They noted that there are some
Great food & wines,
outstanding wines available but that
wonderful variety there are also some good entry level
from both…plus wines too.
wines to suit almost
any occasion.” I will seriously look
Stephen Arnold, Manager, at these wines for our
ex Cellar
all inclusive cruising
trips...”
Following the presentation in the Terry Wiseman, Saga Shipping
Consejo the group was taken Company Ltd
around the region for the next two
days to visit the wineries which are The region should continue
focused on exporting to the UK educating consumers and should
market. “Our aim with this kind of consider linking in with other
activity,” commented Vidal, “is to areas, such as culture and food to
make sure that our guests can achieve this. Navarra has a strong
2012 BACK TO NAVARRA
experience the different sizes and identity within Spain, which needs to
styles of wineries around Navarra. This year will see another trade trip being organized to the region towards be accentuated with the UK gate
We have small, boutique bodegas the end of Spetember/early October and whilst places are filling up fast keepers and as a result the
with limited production and large there is still a possibility for you to join the trip if you are interested. You consumer, the Consejo believes
operations that are either need to be a bona fide member of the wine trade who currently holds a that these types of trips are key
cooperatives or privately owned – buying position for wines in either an on- or off-trade retail environment. to furthering the education
the point being that whatever style For more information contact angeline@bespokedrinksmedia.com. and promoting interest in the
of wine you are looking for I region’s wines.



PRODUCERS DIRECTORY: Details of producers and who to contact in the UK

Bodegas y Viñedos Nekeas
UK Importer: seeking UK importer
Contact: Carlos Biurrun
Bodega Inurrieta Tel: 0034 948 350296 Viña Aliaga
UK importer: C & D Wines Ltd Email: carlos@nekeas.com UK importer: seeking UK importer
Contact: Felix Benito Contact: Carlos Aliaga
Tel: 020 8778 1711 Tel: +34 948 40 13 21
Email: felix@canddwines.co.uk Email: sales@vinaaliaga.com

Compañia Vitivinícola Tandem
Bodegas Ochoa UK importer: Hallgarten Druitt Bodegas Pago de Larrainzar
UK importer: PLB Group Contact: Andrew Parker UK importer: Georges Barbier of
Contact: Lisa Marr Tel: 01582 406433 London
Tel: 01342 336534 Email: Contact: Georges Barbier
Email: lisa.marr@plb.co.uk andrew.parker@hallgartendruitt.co.uk Tel: 020 8852 5801
Email: georgesbarbier@f2s.com

Bodega de Sarría
UK importer: Boutinot
Contact: Christina Cavender
Tel: 0161 908 1300 Domaines Lupier
Email: christinac@boutinot.com UK Importer: seeking UK importer Bodega Marco Real
Contact: Elisa Ucar UK importer: Clink Wines
Tel: 0034 639 622111 Contact: Catherine Monaghan
Email: info@domaineslupier.com Tel: 07500 933848
Email: clinkwines@gmail.com

Bodegas Chivite
UK importer: 10 International
Contact: Jo Thompson
Tel: 01372 454 910
Email: jo@10international.com
Ntr. Sra. del Romero
UK importer: Morgenrot Chevaliers
Contact: Simon Smith
Tel: 0845 070 4310
Email: simon@morgenrot.co.uk

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