Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation.
Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together! In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more about me, I’ve included a brief bio following the post.
2021 Cune Crianza
Rioja DOC
Spanish Red Wine
Edgemont Liquor Store
3246 Connaught Crescent, North Vancouver, BC
$27.90
For this week’s recommendation, I’ve chosen a wine from one of my favourite Spanish producers: C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España). Founded in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers and still led by their descendants, it remains one of Rioja’s most historic and respected family-run wineries. Based in Haro, the winery blends tradition with modern precision. Over time, the Bodega has expanded to include estates such as Viña Real and Viñedos del Contino, and produces benchmark wines like Imperial—famously named the world’s top wine by Wine Spectator in 2004. C.V.N.E. is widely recognized for its consistency, heritage, and quality.
Cune Crianza (a fortuitous misspelling of the initials that established the brand) sits at the heart of this legacy and has been produced every year since the winery’s founding. Sourced mainly from Rioja Alta vineyards near Haro, the fruit arrives in optimal condition, with roughly half estate-grown and the rest from partner growers. The blend—85% Tempranillo with Garnacha and Mazuelo—is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel to preserve freshness, followed by malolactic fermentation, one year in American oak, and is released one year after bottling. The result is a balanced, expressive Rioja with refined structure and classic character.
The Cune Crianza 2021 shows a medium ruby color in the glass, opening with an inviting nosem of boysenberry, cherry, and raspberry, layered with subtle notes of clove and toasted oak. On the palate, it offers medium acidity and soft, approachable tannins, with flavors that closely mirror the aromatics, complemented by a gentle touch of vanilla. The body sits between medium and light, making it easy to drink and well-balanced. While not complex, it delivers a fresh, vibrant profile with a pleasantly lingering finish.
Enjoy Crianza with Spanish tapas, roasted lamb, grilled chorizo, or hard cheeses like Manchego. It’s also a lively companion for tomato-based pasta.
Kim Mead is a Vancouver-based wine and food writer. She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the French Wine Scholar designation with Honours, and Italian Wine Essentials certification. She is currently pursuing the Bordeaux Master's program with the Wine Scholar Guild. Kim serves as Cellar Master for the Vancouver chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Follow her @agalandaglass