- Silverstone's previous recommendations

Conde de Valdemar, Spain

Best of a Seasonal Bunch

Everyone enjoys a sassy red glass of voluptous nectar at the holidays so just to make life a little more interesting I’ve test driven the same wine with two different engines. The performance of both is pretty much the same but, one is slightly smoother, with a little easier finish. The glass to replenishment time between both is barely noticeable, thanks to swift, fulfilling and “full on” throttle pouring. I enjoy car analogies for wines with sporty demeanors. And Conde de Valdemar in it’s “Crianza” and “Reserva” versions is a highly spirited gutsy performer for our holiday needs.

North of Madrid in northern Spain is the Rioja, which is divided into three sub regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. The Martínez

Bujanda family own over 1,000 acres of vineyards in all three regions, controlling all of the fruit’s production, resulting in 150,000 cases plus produced each year. Martinez Bujanda is one of Spain’s most significant wine producers, and is now in the competent hands of the family’s fourth generation. Nestled in the Ebro Valley, overlooking the Cantabrian Mountain range in northern Spain, in the tiny village of Oyón, the Family have been stomping grapes since 1889 (must have fabulous leg muscles by now!). The wInery’s philosophy is still in tact: ”Wines should age very slowly, yet still be enjoyable in their youth." Martinez Bujanda produce the Conde de Valdemar wines, in two styles. The variation between them is modest, yet significant. Both are

produced from grapes grown in Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja, but from different vineyards within each region. The grapes used in both wines sound like Spanish soccer players: Mazuelo (15%) and Tempranillo (85%). Mazuelo is a difficult grape to grow, with a low yield and longer aging process and is specifically used to help Valdemar wines age better, and to compliment a wider range of foods Only grapes harvested from the family's own vineyards are developed and bottled by the Bujanda family and they are totally focused on fresh tasting wines for the Valdemar label. Besides growing the grapes in different vineyards, which adds subtle, yet distinct variations to the respective wine’s flavor, the Conde de Valdemar “Crianza” (approx $13.99) is aged 14 months in

French and American oak barrels while the Conde de Valdemar “Reserva” (approx $16.99) spends 25 months in the barrel. This additional resting time results in the extra smoothness I alluded to in my car reference. Both wines are wonderfully fruity and quaffable with a jammy, plummy, spiciness. The Reserva’s longer aging results in added silkiness from maturity. It’s the same difference between a Rolls Royce and a Bentley, you really need to test drive both to determine which gives you - or those on your holiday gift list - more pleasure. Cheers!

For more specifics you can visit the winery through it’s US importer’s website: www.civusa.com.