Score: 87/100
Viña Real is a separate winery but owned by the CVNE or Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (also often referred to Cune).
The winery design is very modern, and that’s what appears on the label.
The rosé wine (or Rosado in Spanish) reviewed here is the only rosé by this winery.
Surprinsgly this is a blend of a white grape variety typical of the Rioja region and its white wines: 85% Viura, with the main red grape of the area: 15% Tempranillo.
The wine was made with a fermentation at relatively low temperature, below 16º for around 20-25 days to retain freshness and primary fruit aromas. It was then aged in casks for 5 months.
So How Good is this Rioja Rosé wine, Viña Real Rosado?
The answer is in the tasting notes:
The Wine is of a pale salmon color, surprisingly on the light yellow-orange side of things. Pale shallots skin some could say! It’s unusual, but has a summery appeal to it, and teases our curiosity.
With a relatively shy floral and slightly vegetal nose (at least if the wine is chilled which is how it should be served and enjoyed), the wine really comes through and reveals itself on the palate.
Good acidity and a relatively light body make it refreshing. But it’s mainly the flavors that make it a pleasing drink.
Rubarb, anise, lime zest, pomegranate, or mint, it’s on the vegetal fruity side of things. No red berries aromas here, or pear, or lolly-like scents in this rosé. It’s more of an acidic fruit savory feel.
Perhaps some white tropical fruit characters underline a blurry background fruitiness: litchi or rambutan.
The dryness of the wine, combined with a slightly tannic drying finish increase this impression that we’re here with a wine for dry rosé lovers. This is a wine to battle thirst on hot days, and to pair with food.
Overall
A pleasing pale, vegetal yet fruity rosé wine in a typically European food-friendly and thirst-quenching style. It has personality and unique character in its color, in its aromatic profile, as well as in its tannic slightly grippy finish. Solid and enjoyable.
Please let me know your thoughts