Pago de Cirsus NewsBodega Hotel Chateau

La Rioja became the world wine capital during Winefuture Rioja’09, a two-day event sponsored by Araex Rioja Alavesa and Spanish Fine Wines where wine experts and key figures in the industry discussed the challenges ahead for the industry.

Robert Parker, the most influential critic in the world, didn’t miss it. As well as leading a spectacular tasting with 20 wines, Parker had a chance to taste wines produced by the wineries that make Araex Rioja Alavesa during Wine Future’s official dinner. More than 500 VIPs enjoyed Luis Cañas Blanco Fermentado en Barrica 2008 and Altos “R” Pigeage 2007 with the starters. To match the main dishes of the menu, elaborated with typical products from La Rioja, assitants had Marqués de Elciego Selección 2008; Lar de Paula Crianza 2005; Baigorri Reserva 2004, Amaren Reserva 2004 and Manuel Quintano Reserva 2004.

The most important oenological event of the year was also an opportunity to showcase wines from other Denominations of Origin. During the lunch served on November 12, attendants enjoyed wines from Bodegas Valtravieso (Ribera del Duero); Bodegas Sobreño (Toro); Bodegas Muñoz (La Mancha); Pazo de Señorans (Rias Baixas); Pago de Cirsus de Iñaki Núñez (Navarra) and Val de Vid (Rueda).

Araex and Spanish Fine Wines had also an important presence at the tasting tables, where our team offered the Group’s wines to importers, distributors, journalists and speakers. Among those who came by where Steven Spurrier, editor of Decanter magazine; Mel Dick, vicepresident of US distributor Southern Wines & Spirits or Ryan Opaz, creator of Catavino.net.

The event ended with a star-studded debate on the challenges and opportunities for the wine industry, presented by Javier Galarreta, MD of Araex and Spanish Fine Wines. It was a unique occasion and the first time that leading figures such as Jancis Robinson MW, Robert Parker or Mel Dick debated together on a stage. Among their final conclusions, the experts highlighted the need to listen to consumer needs; embracing new technologies to improve the message and adopting environmentally-friendly viticulture and packaging methods.