LA RIOJANA LAUNCHES NEW CORPORATE IMAGE

On 30th June 2023, La Riojana co-operative celebrated its 83rd anniversary and to help commemorate this special occasion La Riojana held a presentation at the Club Cultural in its hometown Chilecito for 450 people, including local dignitaries, co-op members, employees as well as special guests, to introduce its new corporate image.

An image which has been created to give La Riojana the feeling of a modern co-operative, yet at the same time express a sense of origin and tradition in line with the values held by La Riojana related to co-operativism, Fairtrade and sustainability.

In terms of design concept, the new branding is an abstract expression of the unification of wine and the co-operative, using simple symbols within the logo which represent La Riojana’s main crops – the Torrontes Riojano grape and the olive – as well as man (i.e., the co-operative) and its DNA.

The rebranding exercise, which took a number of months, was carried out by the Argentine graphic design studio Godoy Steindl – Itoiz – Mazziotti and the final decision on which design route to take was based on feedback received from more than 100 people, including La Riojana’s employees, partners, and clients across the globe.

The new logo has been designed to unify and consolidate the co-operative image as one for both the domestic and export markets and going forwards will be used across all La Riojana’s marketing communications and materials, replacing the different logo designs which have co-existed until now for the different markets.

The launch of the new commercial logo for La Riojana was perfectly timed with the co-operative starting a new chapter as it enters its 84th year.

DOUBLE SILVER FOR CO-OP FAIRTRADE DUAL VARIETALS AT DWWA 2023

The results from the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 are out, and we are delighted to have been awarded top medals, including Silver medals for the two dual varietal wines we produce for the Co-op own-label Fairtrade range. 

Our highest scorer in this year’s competition is the Co-op Fairtrade Torrontés-Chardonnay 2022, a 70% Torrontés and 30% Chardonnay white wine blend, won a Silver medal and was awarded a stunning 92 points. It was described by the DWWA as having a “beautiful floral nose, expressive, showing aromas of jasmine, grapes and perfumed citrus. Intense on the palate, with a refreshing acidity.”

In addition to the Torrontés-Chardonnay, the Co-op Fairtrade Bonarda-Malbec 2022, a 70% Bonarda and 30% Malbec red blend was also awarded a Silver medal and received 90 points.  This wine was described by the DWWA as having a “very intense nose, milky and chocolatey, with rich blueberry fruit and hints of smoke. Supple tannins, smooth and harmonious.”

By winning medals such as these clearly demonstrates it is possible to make Fairtrade certified entry level wines, which currently retail under £6 per bottle, that are capable of over delivering to the consumer. 

Edward Robinson, Wine Buyer for The Co-op, commented “92 points for wines at this level is incredible and exactly what we are aspiring to achieve.”

In addition to the exciting Siiver medal victory, other wines from La Riojana’s stable also won Bronze medals at the DWWA 2023, including: Co-op Fairtrade Irresistible Malbec 2021; Co-op Fairtrade Pinot Grigio 2022; Co-op Fairtrade Merlot 2022 and Tilimuqui Fairtrade Organic Malbec 2022. 

First launched in 2004, the Decanter World Wine Awards, one of the world’s most influential wine competitions, is now in its 20th year. This year saw a record 18,250 wines entered from 57 countries, judged by a total of 236 wine experts, with Argentina receiving a total of 517 awards. 

FAIRTRADE AND ORGANIC SUCCESS AT THE INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2023

We are thrilled to announce that we have won a great set of awards at this year’s world-renowned International Wine Challenge, including two Silver, three Bronze and four Commended medals. The results for which were announced on 18th May 2023.

The Silver medals were awarded to our Tilimuqui Fairtrade Organic Malbec 2022 and to the Co-op Fairtrade Irresistible Organic Malbec 2021, which is part of the award-winning range of own-label wines we produce for the Co-op, UK. Notably both our Silver medalist wines are Organic and Fairtrade certified.

The Tilimuqui Fairtrade Organic Malbec 2022 was the highest scorer with 92 points and was described by the IWC as a “complex wine with changes in the glass! Muted nose reveals coffee, and smooth flavours of purple and red fruits. Long, elegant and interesting.”

The Co-op Fairtrade Irresistible Organic Malbec 2021, which was awarded 90 points, and was described as “supple and plush with a rich, dark, fine, chocolate, cherry and brambled fruits, coffee and splash of vanilla to finish”.

The IWC awarded Bronze medals to three wines we also produce for the Co-op, including the Co-op Fairtrade Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Co-op Fairtrade Merlot 2022 and Co-op Fairtrade Bonarda-Malbec 2022.

In addition to this, four Commended medals were awarded by the IWC to the Co-op Fairtrade Torrontes Chardonnay 2022 and Co-op Fairtrade Pinot Grigio 2022, as well our Ecologica Fairtrade Organic Shiraz Malbec 2022 and Ecologica Fairtrade Organic Torrontes Chardonnay 2022.

LA RIOJANA ATTENDS FMCV PRE-FORUM IN URUGUAY

In preparation for the World Forum of Wine Co-operatives (FMCV), due to be hosted by La Riojana Co-operative in October later this year, we attended the Pre-Forum event held in Canelones, Uruguay on 25 – 27 April 2023. 

The event itself attracted presidents and managers from wine co-operatives from across Europe and South America, as well as technicians, scientists and public officials from Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina and Italy. All of whom came together to debate the main challenges faced by the wine industry. 

Alfredo Capece, President of the FMCV and La Riojana Co-operative, opened the event stating that wine co-operatives produce 60% of the world’s grapes and yet are only marketing 12% with their own brands. He went on to say that one of the greatest challenges faced by the co-operatives is giving added value to the raw material so that it can return a better income to the producers. 

Pau Roca, Managing Director for OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine) addressed the Pre-Forum, via a letter, stating that the voice of the co-operatives must be heard more clearly within the wine industry. 

Running alongside this same event, a Youth Pre-Forum was also held, where proposals included a fundamental change in the approach to marketing within the wine industry, orientating it more towards the consumer, incorporating alternative options for consuming wine, lower alcohol wines, ecological packaging and flexible volumes.

The World Forum of Wine Co-operatives (FMCV), due to be hosted by La Riojana, will take place in Chilecito, Argentina on 5 – 7 October 2023. 

The FMCV is made up of Cevipe, Vinadeis, Baco, Bodega Cuatro Rayas, Gruppo Caviro, Manjavacas, Bodegas Martin Códax, Adega Vila Real, Adega Ponto da Barḉa for Europe; and Capel, Fecovita, La Riojana, Establecimientos Vicca, Vinícola Aurora, Garibaldi, São João, Nova Alianca, Pradense for South America; and CCW Co-operative for Oceania.