D.O.C. RIOJA
D.O.C. RIOJA La Rioja is a valley surrounded by two mountain chains (Sierra Cantabria and Sierra de la Demanda that protects from the humidity coming from the Atlantic Ocean). Wine was produced here since the Middle Ages, however it was after the phylloxera plague in the XIX Century when the Bordeaux producers moved south and discovered the potential of this land. Soils are clay-based with concentration of limestone, sandstone and alluvial silt. The most famous Spanish wine region is divided in three areas: Rioja Baja: Low altitude, mediterranean climate, volume oriented area. Rioja Alavesa: Medium high altitude, full bodied, high acidity wines. Rioja Alta: Higher Altitude, lighter, classic style. Great potential for ageing.
D.O.C. RIOJA The Rioja Regulatory Board, formed by 50% farmers, 50% wine producers, regulates all aspects related to the production process: -Aging periods: CRIANZA: One year in cask + a few months in the bottle. RESERVA: The ageing time in oak plus in bottle must be minimum three years. GRAN RESERVA: Minimum two years in the cask + three years in the bottle -Grape varieties: Only indigenous ones: REDS: Tempranillo, graciano, mazuelo and grenache. WHITES: Viura, malvasía and white grenache. Maximum production per hectare 5.850 Kilos. Tempranillo cluster
D.O.C. RIOJA
RAMON BILBAO -HISTORY 1924.- Officially founded in by Ramón Bilbao Murga at Calle de las Cuevas, in Haro. He had already been selling wine in the Rioja region since 1896. 1999.- After the last member of Bilbao s family passes away the Diego Zamora Group takes over and makes heavy investments in modernisation and re-fitting of the facilities. The developing of fine wines and taking our work forward while always respecting the purest Rioja and Ramón Bilbao s tradition still remains as the main policy. 2011.- Today we are producing 3.5 million bottles yearly. 16.000 american and french barrels with a life circle of 5 years.
FACTS & FIGURES Located in Haro, the capital of Rioja Alta 75 ha. vineyard property. Over 300 ha. direct vineyard management. Constant renewal of barrel cellar, kept maximum 5 years. Experienced personnel. Four winemakers make up the Technical Team, including australian David Morrison as a consultant. ISO 9002 and 14001 ( first Winery awarded in Spain ), BRC and IFS
RB a TRENDY BRAND in Spain Thanks to its fruit driven style and modern image, we can say today that Ramón Bilbao is the fastest growing Rioja winery in Spain within the premium segment. In a depressing year for traditional Rioja brands RB was +34% up in 2010!
OUR WINES
MONTE LLANO TEMPRANILLO WINES 100% Tempranillo grapes from vineyards located in Rioja Alta District. Vinification: The wine has aged for 4 months in American oak casks. This was followed by another 4 months in our underground bottle racks. Red violet colour with purple hues. On the nose the wine leaves intense, fruity aromas (black currants, raspberries). Fresh, structured and very fruity on the palate. Casual, fruit driven Rioja.
RAMON BILBAO CRIANZA WINES A careful selection of tempranillo grapes from vineyards in Haro, the capital of Rioja Alta district and the surrounding areas picked during the second week in October. Vinification:The wine has aged for 14 months in American oak casks. This was followed by another 8 months in our underground bottle racks. Bright, deep cherry-red colour. Intense aromas of ripe black berries accompanied with balsamic touches which are reminiscent of coconut and liquorice. Fresh and pleasant in the mouth with a noticeable texture where the smokey and fruit assemble nuances reappear. Long and enfolding finish.
WINES RAMON BILBAO RESERVA 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo A careful selection of grapes fromover thrity-year-old vineyards in Rioja Alta. Vinification: Artful and careful selection and fermentation of the grapes was followed by 20 months ageing in American oak casks. The wine was then bottled and taken down to our cellar, where it continued to mature for a further 20 months in complete quietness. Intense and dense cherry-red colour. Predominating aromas of violets, blackberries, cedar, leather and spice box. On the palate its structure is medium and plays with various fruits and a genuine taste of ripen blackcurrant with a good balance and a pure finish. It shows juicy and flows broadly until a finish that remains a long time.
WINES EDICIÓN LIMITADA 100% tempranillo grapes from old vines and high altitude (700 metres) Vinification: At the bodegas s sorting table we choise only the best clusters, those with perfect berries, to ferment them in oak vats (not stainless steel) at controlled temperatures. We age the wine for fourteen months in new French and American oak casks. When then complete the ageing process in our underground bottle racks for a further ten months. The result is our bodega s enfant terrible. Tasting Notes: Intense, dark cherry red with a garnet rim. Complex aromas to the nose, redolent of prunes in liqueur, ripe blackberries and fine, exotic woods (sandalwood). Elegant and voluptuous in the mouth with considerable persistence and a pleseant mineral finish.
WINES RAMÓN BILBAO MIRTO A careful selection of old vines aged 70+, from areas on the outer limits of the grapegrowing area (Haro, Ollauri, Gimileo, Cihuri, Villalba and Cuzcurrita). Vinification: Everything in this wine is an art, from the way the grape clusters are chosen at the bodega s sorting table, to their fermentation in small French oak vats. After painstaking fermentation at controlled temperatures to achieve the highest extraction of aromas and colour, the wine is placed in casks where malolactic fermentation takes place without rackings, just the periodic stirring of the lees using the bâtonnage technique. It spends 24 months in new French Allier oak casks with a toasting level specifically determined for the vintage. The wine is bottled without being subjected to any fining or filtering. Tasting Notes: Bright and very opaque pomegranate colour with purple hues. Its wide aroma palette drives us from the black berries, across the smoked wood and toasted bread to the nutmeg. In the mouth its soft and elegant texture yet blunt and powerful. The wine develops in multiple layers tthat show the effort of integration between the Tempranillo fruit and the subtleness of the oak ageing. It remains in the palate leaving a fresh and juicy imprint that brings back the fruits from the first taste.
RECENT ACCOLADES RB Crianza: Best price-quality Spanish wine for Wine Spectator. RB Reserva: Best Spanish wine for The Rotary Club. RB Gran Reserva: 92 Parker points. RB Edición Limitada: Trébol Todovino 2010 for the best quality-price wine in 2010. Selected twice by Brussels Airlines for its Business Class. Gold Medal at th Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2011. RB Mirto: Best Spanish wine for the International Wine Challenge 92+ Parker points.
The Rioja Market in Belgium According to Rioja Official Statistics, Belgium represents the 7 th largest market for Rioja exports worldwide. Market size in 2010 was 2.154.317 litres with an average purchase price of 4.11 / litre (almost 1 higher than in The Netherlands). Until April 2011, the Rioja exports increased 12% en volume and 16% in value vs previous year, catching up the Netherlands in size. Market is dominated by the old-style, traditional, oaky brands (Coto, Faustino, Riscal). Average consumer over 40 years-old. Ramón Bilbao offers to the Belgium market a more contemporary RIOJA which aims to attract also younger consumers.