News & Awards
LA RIOJANA’S BONARDA WINES TRIUMPH AGAIN
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Despite being the year that it was, 2020 saw our co-operative win a host of notable awards in a number of wine competitions, including three Double Gold medals most recently awarded by the Argentine Bonarda Competition 2020 (Concurso Bonarda Argentina).
The Argentine Bonarda competition, now in its seventh year, took place in Mendoza, Argentina at the end of December 2020 where a total of 70 wine entries from Mendoza, La Pampa, Catamarca and La Rioja provinces were judged by 40 wine professionals.
Following on from our Bonarda Gold medal success in previous years, the judges once again recognised the quality of Bonarda being produced in La Rioja province and the full potential of the region’s terroir and awarded three of the four of the 2020 competition’s top Gold Medals to La Riojana.
The Concurso Bonarda Argentina 2020 awarded three Double Gold (Doble Oro) medals to the following wines from La Riojana:
Raza Argentina Blend Bonarda / Malbec 2017
75 Vendimias Bonarda 2018
Tilimuqui Fairtrade Organic Bonarda 2018
Chief Winemaker for La Riojana co-operative, Rodolfo Griguol, commented “Our Bonarda wines are characterized by their intense red colour, fruity nose with red, black and dry fruits which stand out. On the palate they are well-structured and smooth which makes them easy to drink and to pair with different dishes, such as roasts, flavourful pasta dishes, cheese and dark chocolate desserts.”
GOLD MEDAL WIN AT SÉLECTIONS MONDIALES DES VINS CANADA 2020
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La Riojana is celebrating its latest triumph after winning two top medals at the largest international wine competition in North America, Sélections Mondiales des Vins, which took place in Quebec City, Canada during 18th to 22nd November 2020.
Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada, which is held each year in the province of Quebec and now in its 27th year, saw a 38% increase in the number of wines registered for this year’s competition, with over 2100 wines participating from 33 countries, 55% of which were red wines.
A total of 620 wines, representing 29% of the entries, won Grand Gold, Gold or Silver medals, 16 wines of which were Gold Medal winners from Argentina. Winning a Gold Medal and being awarded 90 Points is indeed impressive recognition for the RAZA Gran Reserva Malbec 2015.
Currently RAZA is available on the shelves of four different government stores including the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation (ABNL); Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC); Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) and Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC).
Ecologica Fairtrade Organic Syrah Malbec 2019 won a Silver Medal and was awarded 89 points. This is a great accolade considering only 3 wines from Argentina won Silver Medals. Currently this brand is only available in Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL).
Martin Palacio, La Riojana’s Export Manager for Canada, commented “We are delighted with our Gold and Silver medals. Canada is currently the world’s seventh largest wine importer (by volume) and is an important market for us. The fact that the country’s wine market is controlled by Liquor Boards in the majority of provinces means it is difficult to stand out on the crowded shelves. Having award-winning wines are a great way to showcase your quality and give consumers added confidence that the styles are perfect for the marketplace.”
