TOP MEDALS FOR CO-OP FAIRTRADE DUAL VARIETALS

Despite the challenges set in 2020 by the world pandemic, the host of medals won this year in international wine competitions has certainly given La Riojana reason to celebrate, including two Silver Medals awarded to the red and white dual varietals we produce for the UK’s largest Fairtrade retailer, The Co-op.

“We are particularly pleased about these two medals,” comments Nick Day, Europe Sales Director for La Riojana “not only because both blends are amongst our top sellers, but these medals clearly show two Fairtrade wines, which currently retail under £6 per bottle, delivering fantastic value for money for the consumer.”

Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 awarded the Co-op Fairtrade Torrontés Chardonnay 2019 a Silver Medal and 90 points (results announced 22nd September 2020). This wine was described by DWWA as “Perfumed with notes of yellow fruits, wildflowers, honey and citrus. On the palate it is vivacious with beautiful underpinning freshness.”  

All the Torrontés we produce is made with the Torrontés Riojano grape variety, which itself is particularly well suited to La Rioja’s climate, producing wines with a distinctive, fresh, fruity aromatic and friendly character. 

More recently the International Wine Challenge 2020 Tranche 2 awarded the Co-op Fairtrade Bonarda Malbec 2019 a Silver Medal and 90 points (results announced 26th November 2020). This wine was described by the IWC as “Fragrant, delicate nose with coffee, wild strawberry and violets, generous and creamy on the long finish.”

In Argentina the Bonarda grape, characterized by its deep colour, is the second most cultivated red variety after Malbec. Its popularity has grown in La Rioja province over the last few years as it adapts well to hot regions. We have found at La Riojana that it also blends very well with Malbec.