The CD Times - Issue 3 - September 2020

Page 1

#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!

IN THIS ISSUE Wine

Bodegas Santalba

Traditional, classical, passionate!

Lou Gat Check out one of our newest arrivals

News

Current Climate

Wines in the Spotlight

What’s my Job?

Torreón Reserva Chardonnay & Masseria del Feudo Nero d’Avola DOC Sicilia

Antón Fonseca Project Manager Bodegas Terras Gaudas

Whiskey Galore

Meet the team

Red Spot 15 Year Old

Aidan McNamara


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