#3
THE
CLASSICdrinks
CD TIMES
Wine Specialist
SEPTEMBER
•
CLASSICdrinks Wine Specialist
2020
Y O U R B I - M O N T H LY W I N E I N D U S T R Y EZ I N E
B O D E G A S
S A N T A L B A
Known as “El Niño” (The boy) back in 1964, from one day to
“It is a different Rioja, but I don’t dare say if it is better
the next Santiago Ijalba (AKA Santalba) found himself
or worse,” he says. “What we have to think about now is
immersed in the management of a winery when he was
where we want to go. Rioja is struggling to grow in plant
barely 20 years old. He knew how to make this unforeseen
mass, which can make us a very large appellation, but I
his way of life and his passion until he founded, in 1998, his
think it has to fight to become a great appellation where
own winery. Santalba is now the reflection of all that
quality prevails over quantity and prevents its wines from
experience that, together with his family, vindicates the
appearing on the shelves in very low prices “he adds.
value of the traditional without losing a bit of innovation.
Santalba wines are varied and differentiating. They make
Santalba is the result of “letting go”, of “trusting young
traditional and classic wines. Wines that do not surprise
minds to continue growing.” The combination of tradition
but never disappoint. Elegant, fine and timeless under the
and modernity is the essence of this winery that claims the
Santalba Viña Hermosa brand in different categories such
family character from its foundations. “A way to differentiate
as Selection, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva and of
itself within Rioja”, assures Santiago.
course an excellent white and rose wines. These collect
The different crises that Santalba has endured during its
the experience accumulated by Santiago. OGGA, 25 years
56 years among wines show the evolution of a sector that,
ago it was a “high expression” wine with a modern cut
today, has managed to become a benchmark for the region.
and today it is a renewed classic and perhaps the greatest
The awakening of Spain after the Franco regime followed,
exponent of Rioja. Rioja in a bottle.
first, that of 1992 and, six years later, “the year of grapes at
On the other hand, more modern, eclectic and daring
425 pesetas”.
wines are made by Roberto. Santalba Cotas Altas,
A constant transformation that has also affected the
Santalba Natural, even a Rioja in the Amarone style by
skeleton of Rioja. «At the end of the 60’s it was the time of
appassamiento (drying grapes). It is clear that Rioja’s
export of the wines in bulk. It was also La Rioja of the 40,000
fame of being a reactionary wine region does not go with
hectares and just 40 wineries. Already in the eighties we
the wines of Santalba.
grew twice and now, in 2020, we exceed 600 wineries and
Bodegas Santalba is a totally family-run winery, located
70,000 hectares of vegetable mass,” recalls Santalba and
in a unique spot of Rioja Alta where they pamper their
adds that the technical characteristics of the wines have
vineyards and wines and the doors are always open for
also changed affected by climate change too.
the friends of CLASSICdrinks. Salud!
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