MICHEL ROLLAND
JAVIER GALARRETA
D.O. Ca. RIOJA D.O. RIBERA DEL DUERO D.O. RUEDA
MICHEL ROLLAND
JAVIER GALARRETA
MICHEL ROLLAND & JAVIER GALARRETA A JOINT PROJECT BRINGS TWO CULTURES TOGETHER. A DECISIVE STEP FOR THE PRESTIGE OF SPAIN’S GREATEST WINES
Two trajectories, two styles and two cultures but a common goal. French winemaker and consultant Michel Rolland and Spanish wine entrepreneur Javier Galarreta have joined forces in a project that highlights the great virtues of Spain and its wines: excellent terroir and solid experience make great quality wines with real potential in the international markets. As one of the leading winemakers in the world, Michel Rolland has influenced many aspects of both the French and global wine industry. Javier Galarreta, along with a group of wineries, set up Araex in 1993 to market Rioja Alavesa wines. Today, it is one of the leading exporters of quality wine in Spain.
RIOJA DENOMINACIร N DE ORIGEN CALIFICADA
MICHEL ROLLAND
JAVIER GALARRETA
The faithful expression of a very special place, of a sustainable precision viticulture and of Tempranillo, a variety with great character. Elegance and depth in a distinguished, ample and delicious wine. V IN EYA R D S
We have selected the best vineyards in Rioja Alavesa, the most prestigious subzone in the Qualified Denomination of Origin Rioja (DOCa Rioja). They are located in singular plots at altitudes between 450-700 metres, where we apply viticulture techniques aimed at obtaining the best from each vine. We harvest by hand, selecting the grapes on the vine and then again on an optical selection table upon arrival at the winery.
VINIF ICAT ION AND AGEING After a careful selection, grapes undergo long, controlled macerations at low temperatures. We use gravity to obtain the must naturally, and the grapes are pressed in pneumatic and vertical presses. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new American oak barrels and then the wine is aged for 10 months.
TAST ING NOT ES Highly concentrated, dark cherry-red colour wine. It presents a lively, delicate bouquet with liquorice and fresh fruit aromas of the Tempranillo variety, with spicy hints, keeping the essential aromas of fruit compote. It is ample and fleshy on the palate, showing elegance, complexity and power. It shows soft tannins and liquorice, a velvety structure and a long, delicious and persistent finish. It goes very well with red meats, stews, game and cured cheeses.
S U G G ESTED SERVING TEMPERATURE 16 ยบ - 18 ยบC. MAT URIT Y 2013 - 2018
RIBERA DEL DUERO DENOMINACIÓN DE ORIGEN
Plenitude and balance arise from the most extreme of terroirs. A strict selection that enhances the elegance. Fruit and spices in a serene integration that defines a meticulous pursuit of power and subtlety. V IN EYA R D S
They are located at one of the highest points in Ribera del Duero, at 915 metres above sea level. Vines grow on low-yielding calcareous soils that are rich in limestone, which increase fruit aromas and help to obtain balanced wines.The altitude acts as a buffer for the extreme heat that is typical of this continental area during the summer, a key moment in the ripening process of the grapes.
VINIF ICATION AND AGEING Tempranillo (85%) and Merlot (15%) grapes are first selected on the vineyard and later on the winery’s selection table. After a long maceration at low temperatures, the must is pumped over using gravity in order to achieve the best extraction of polyphenols. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 10 months and is bottled without filtration.
TASTING NOTES Intense, dark ruby colour. The bouquet shows attractive aromas of cinnamon, spices, lavender and black cherry. Rich, concentrated and fleshy on the palate, it shows a smooth texture, elegance and complexity with silky tannins, a succulent structure and excellent depth. It makes a great accompaniment for red meats, stews, game and cure cheeses.
S U G G EST ED SERVING T EMPERAT URE 16 º - 18 ºC.
MAT URIT Y 2013 - 2018
RUEDA DENOMINACIÓN DE ORIGEN
The qualities of the Verdejo variety –freshness, fine texture and acidity– with the help of the right vinification techniques to bring elegance and persistence. Essence and hard work in a vibrant, long and balanced wine. V IN EYA R D S
Our Verdejo vineyards are planted in alluvial terraces at 700 metres above sea level in the village of La Seca, widely considered to be the premium area in the Denomination of Origin Rueda. The poor rocky soils with pockets of limestone protect the vineyards from extreme weather conditions. We apply precision viticulture techniques to enhance the organoleptic profile of the grapes, and we harvest at night to avoid the oxidation of the must provoked by sunlight. VINIFICATION AND AGEING The must is cold-macerated with the skins for eight hours, enhancing the Verdejo’s characteristic aromas. Fermentation takes place at 16ºC, which helps to maintain and intensify the variety’s unique flavour. The wine is kept in contact with the fine lees to strengthen its structure by providing fatty acids and more ample and glyceric sensations on the palate. Part of the wine is kept in new French oak barrels from French cooper Saury. TAST ING NOT ES Bright straw-yellow colour. A fine, fresh and very aromatic nose with tropical fruits followed by melon, mineral and floral aromas. Crisp and round palate, where tropical fruits and citrus notes dominate. It displays an impeccably balanced acidity, outstanding depth and volume, giving way to a persistent and ample finish. It is perfect for seafood and fish dishes, rice, pasta and white meats. S U G G EST ED SERVING T EMPERAT URE 10 º - 12 ºC. MAT URIT Y 2013 - 2015
FRANCE MEETS SPAIN A CONVERSATION BETWEEN MICHEL ROLLAND AND JAVIER GALARRETA
JAVIER GALARRETA Our three wines are the result of a dialogue between two cultures. France and Spain meet in this project, but there is also your winemaking vision and Araex’s experience in the international markets. What is the meaning of this joint venture for you? MICHEL ROLLAND It is the first time that I give my name to a Spanish wine, with the responsibility that it entails. It means uniting the past and the future. It means delving into tradition to obtain its clues and essence to create and play with them in order to reinvent them into new contemporary wines, full of elegance and passion; the essence of Spain.
M.R. My main job is to define and make the wine, but the key elements are the grapes and the terroir. As a winemaker, I try to understand these factors to extract the best of them. In this regard, Spain’s potential is huge. Spanish wines have quality and history and are capable of competing internationally. J.G. That is where our group is key: we have 20 years of experience in exporting Spanish wines, which is very important to ensure consumers find our wines and enjoy them. M.R. Yes, the wines we have made are round, very pleasant, fruity and with great structure. These are very seductive wines, both in quality and value.
J.G. When we visit the vineyards in Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Rueda, you seem to have an endless desire to observe and understand.
J.G. They express the singular character of each area, but these wines were also made to travel the world and conquer palates.
M.R. The landscape, or rather the addition of different landscapes, is one of the things I love most about this country. I also admire the incredibly diverse geography that is expressed in so many singular wines; wines that show great potential. Discovering Spain is an endless experience. That is why there is a huge range of possibilities to make wine in Spain.
M.R. That is a great definition of what a successful wine should be: roots and international dimension. We try to focus our work in these terms, balancing origin and destination so consumers around the world share our passion for the great wine adventure.
J.G. Among them, we have the chance to tap into the real potential in the international markets, which might have been the Achilles heel of Spanish wine throughout the years. Your influence and world prestige are essential to success.
R&G COLLECTION D.O. RUEDA, D.O. Ca. RIOJA, D.O. RIBERA DEL DUERO PRESENTATION PACK
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199 3 - 2013 20 TH ANNIVERS ARY
BEST SPANISH FOODS COMPANY 2001 - EXPORT DIVISION Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods