# Viña Real Gran Reserva (2014)

- **Producer:** Viña Real
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Tempranillo, Graciano
- **Region:** Rioja, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** ripe red cherry, black cherry, black plum, ripe plum, cedar, cloves, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, tobacco, leather, balsamic

## About this wine

Viña Real Gran Reserva 2014 is a red wine from the Rioja Alavesa sub-region of DOCa Rioja, produced by Viña Real, a brand established by CVNE in the 1920s. The blend is primarily Tempranillo (95%) with a touch of Graciano (5%). The grapes are sourced from Viña Real's vineyards located between 450 and 650 meters in altitude, grown in calcareous and sandy soils. The wine is characterized by its significant aging, spending an average of 24 months in new and used French and American oak barrels, followed by a minimum of 36 months of bottle aging before release. The 2014 vintage was marked by challenging weather conditions, requiring careful selection of grapes. Viña Real is known for its commitment to producing wines with excellent aging potential, body, structure, and aromatic intensity, reflecting the terroir of Rioja Alavesa.

## Interesting facts

- Viña Real's name is a nod to the ancient 'Camino Real' (Royal Road) nearby.
- The winery's modern design in Laguardia blends seamlessly into the hillside.
- This wine undergoes an average of 24 months in oak, followed by at least 36 months in bottle.
- The 2014 vintage faced challenging weather, requiring meticulous grape selection.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and well-integrated tannins are robust enough to stand up to rich protein sources like lamb and beef, while the ripe fruit notes complement the savory elements. The wine's complexity, with hints of spice and oak, can echo or contrast with herbs and spices in the dish, creating harmonious pairings.

## Wine making process

The production of Viña Real Gran Reserva 2014 begins with hand-harvested grapes that are carefully selected at the winery. A pre-fermentation cold maceration of 24 hours is employed before fermentation in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperatures of 28-30°C. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for an average of 24 months in new and second-use French and American oak barrels. It then undergoes a minimum of 36 months of bottle aging before its release. Approximately 30,000 bottles were produced for this vintage.