International Boutique Wines

Bodegas Franco - Espanolas, S.A. was created as an indirect result of the biggest misfortunes in the history of French wine making. In the second half of the 19th century, French vineyards were almost completely ruined by phylloxera. This led vineyard owners from Bordeaux, a region characterised by the high quality of its vines and a great tradition for making world - renowned wines, to move to Spain in search of suitable soil and climates where they could continue to produce and age the wines for which they were famous.

The area they chose was La Rioja. This area had not only a soil ideally suited to vine growing and a climate which benefited from influence of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic but also inhabitants who were concerned with tradition and had an ancient wine - producing culture using local grape varieties. Indeed this is one of the most clearly defined natural regions of the Iberian Peninsula.

There is evidence in La Rioja of vine growing and wine making dating back to Roman times. But it was in the Middle ages, when wine-making became linked with the monasteries, that people in the area began to learn and appreciate the excellence of great wines. The first known verses in the Spanish language, written in the 13th century by Gonzalo de Berceo, mention the wine of this area.

All these reasons led Frederick Anglade Saurat, of the Anglade company from Bordeaux, and his Spanish partners to found Bodegas Franco - Espanolas in 1890. The Count of Venancourt, Alejo Lepine, the Count of Romanones, Vicente Rodríguez Paterna and A. Dupeyron were among the menbers of the first board of directors.

Nowadays Bodegas Franco - Espanolas, S.A. stands on a 59.000 squared meters site in Logrono, capital of La Rioja region. A quarter of this site is occupied by buildings, in whose vaulted cellars the company's most prestigious Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva wines are aged at a constant temperature, first in American oak casks and then in bottles

Diamante

Produced with Viura and Malvasia grapes varieties. Pale, yellow brilliant colour. Highly persistent. It is a very pleasant Mediterranean type semi sweet white wine with intense fruity aromas and complex and elegant bouquet, make it the ideal wine for any type of celebrations

Number I Rioja branded white wine sold in Spain 86 points. Silver Medal. Wine Enthusiast

Rinsol

White produced from 100% Viura grape variety. Its has a pale yellow colour with slight green tones. Its intense fruit aromas made this a perfect varietal wine, very clean, light and fresh to the palate.
83 points. Bronze Medal. Peñin Wide Guide, Spain Commended Decanter, UK

Two medals in the world famous "BTI Packaging Competition Award 2009", in Chicago, USA:

Royal Claret

Obtained from the best selection of 80% tempranillo and 20% garnacha grape varieties matured in American oak barrels for 6 months. Purple-blue color with ruby tones, it is elegant on the nose with fruity aromas and very soft wood and spicy tones. perfect to with salads, pasta and all kinds of meats.

rioja bordon CRIANZA

Made from carefully selected Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes, it is aged both in American white oak barrels and then in the bottle to produce a distinctive flavor. It has an intensive, brilliant ruby red color, mature, elegant, well balanced and full of flavour with a good long finish. Top 6 wines in the UK 86 points. Silver Medal. Wine Enthusiast

rioja bordon RESERVA

Made from noble Rioja grapes Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo. It is aged in American white oak for 20 months and then further matured in bottle for 3 years in our cellars with racking every 6 months. At the end of this period it has developed the sophisticated character much expected and appreciated by our customers. The color is bright and ruby red. On the nose spicy, balsamic tones dominate. The wine is soft, rich and long on the palate.

rioja bordon GRAN RESERVA

This unique wine made in our Centennial winery is the result of carefully selected 80% tempranillo, 16% garnacha, 2% mazuelo, 2% graciano grapes from very old vines. Aged in American white oak until the desired balance of flavours is developed and maturation then continues in bottles. We release the wines only when the desired bouquet is fully evident. Ruby red in color, it is truly splendid on the palate, tasty, full and round with a strong finish.
92 points. Gold Medal. Campsa Wine Guide, Spain Bronze Medal. Decanter, UK

Winner of the Rioja Gran Reserva wine tasting

baron D’ANGLADE This elegant wine has been elaborated with Tempranillo Mazuelo and Graciano Grapes, aged for 24 months in Allier French oak. Tthe ageing process has been completed in bottle. The result is a very harmonious round and very attractive wine. The fruity aromas are very much present, with spicy tones and toasted end. It is a very balanced wine. Velvety, deep and very wide. Production is only done in very good vintages and is limited only to 14,000 bottles.

92 points. Gold. Campsa Wine Guide, Spain 91 Points. Gold Medal. Peñin Wine Guide, Spain