Perfect moments for a Gran Reserva. Opening a bottle of Muriel Viñas Viejas and unraveling a little mystery: the thread of life that binds the present with a vintage from years ago.
So many things happen in five or six years, also in a wine's lifetime. It has matured slowly, it has lost its vigour, it has gained complexity, it has accentuated its depth, it has established a connection with the sandstone touched by the roots of the old vines and, in this way, it has developed a fine, pure character, with silky notes and echoes of the original ripe fruit.
It represents the balance, the essence and a symbol of the degree of perfection that is achieved during its production.
Our land shines through these wines, which have been aged in the darkness of the cellars for a long time. It''s a simple formula: old and well-balanced vineyards, an extended time in barrel and years in bottle. Initially, movement greatly helps in the process of polishing a wine, but as months go by, patience and calm are crucial components.
We have added the words Viñas Viejas to Muriel Gran Reserva. A special tribute to vines like the ones in the pictures, which we have been growing for half a century in Elciego.
We think it is especially appealing to bring back the Gran Reserva wines as part of the dining experience. Without fears or prejudices: it is the perfect wine to eat with. And surprisingly versatile. We recommend it with these dishes:
- Soups and stews, be they hearty or richly flavoured
Muriel Gran Reserva pairs well with a Rioja style potato stew (patatas a la riojana) or a bean stew with bacon, chorizo and black pudding. The nuclear acidity of the wine primes the palate and helps it to adapt to the enveloping flavours of the dishes.
- Roast suckling lamb
A classic dish from Rioja and Castile. The fat of the lamb, apparently soft but with great intensity of flavours, is mitigated by the elegance of Muriel Crianza. Don't forget to drink it with Rioja's "national" roast: chops roasted on vine shoots!
- Game stews
Hearty recipes with rich sauces, such as wild boar in wine, are an ideal match for wines of great complexity. An alternative, arguably more surprising, are preparations with dark chocolate: Muriel Gran Reserva Viñas Viejas is the perfect choice.
- Mature sheep's cheese
Pairing it with Muriel Gran Reserva is like engaging two venerable sages in conversation: they get along, share their worlds, encourage each other and leave behind pleasant and lasting memories.
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