Cune Rosado Rioja 2021 review | Wine Wednesday 

Founded in 1879, CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) is a Spanish wine organisation based in Haro, Rioja. The company was founded by two brothers and, over 140 years later, is still controlled by the family’s descendants. Whilst the organisation is known as CVNE, there are four core wineries within the brand: Cune, Imperial, Vina Real and Contino. This week’s choice for Wine Wednesday comes from the Cune winery, within the wider CVNE organisation.

CVNE isn’t just steeped in history, but it also strives to create more change in the industry. The company has a very heavily female-led team of winemakers and consistently looks to champion women across the wine industry. One of the most significant names in CVNE is Maria Larrea, the Technical Director of the company. Maria is responsible for overseeing winemaking across Cune and Imperial wines, in their Haro-based winery. Supporting the CVNE team in the winemaking process are also Eva de Benito, Head Winemaker of Viña Real, and Sara Juan, Winemaker and expert behind their range of Bela wines.

Onto the wine itself, we begin with its pretty pale blush colour. On the nose, you can expect bright red fruit aromas, such as strawberry and raspberry, making way to crisp and zesty citrus – think grapefruit – and slight floral notes. It’s a medium-bodied rosé with an acidity that balances alongside its overall smoothness. On the palate, the overarching flavours are in line with its red fruit aromas. You can expect strawberry and raspberry flavours with the same citrus you get on the nose. Its lovely fruitiness is almost reminiscent of something along the lines of a Frube yoghurt (if you know, you know). By the end, you’re still left with the fresh red fruit flavours and an overall dryness that balances everything out. At £8.50 a bottle, this is a great, easy-drinking rosé.

Interested in exploring other rosés from Female Original? Take a look through my Wine Wednesday recommendations.