Cune Wines

Cune Wines

Cune Wines

25 June 2024

Learn more about Cune, famed for their fantastic Rioja wines, discover stunning food pairings and be transported to Spain's Rioja wine-making region. 

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Cune Wines

Learn more about Cune, famed for their fantastic Rioja wines, discover stunning food pairings and be transported to Spain's Rioja wine-making region. 

Boasting a rich history, wide range of styles and easy food pairing potential, it's no wonder Rioja's wines are so loved around the world. Today, its reds are widely celebrated, and its whites fast gaining recognition among both critics and connoisseurs. One of its most respected winemakers is Cune, or CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte del España – the Northern Spanish Wine Company), which was founded in 1879 in the Rioja town of Haro. The first wine produced by CVNE took the name of the company's initials, but a branding error (replacing the V with a U) gave birth to the Cune brand, which today, five generations later, is still producing renowned wines.

Below, brush up on your Rioja knowledge with our beginner's guide to the region, explore ways of celebrating white Rioja and be inspired by our collection of recipes which we've created specifically with Cune wines in mind. There are show-stopping recipes from chef Ollie Templeton, as well as three of our most comforting, flavour-packed feasts. 

A beginner's guide to Rioja wines

Do you know your crianzas from your reservas and your Rioja Alta from your Rioja Oriental? In this breakdown, we guide you through everything you need to know about this incredible wine region.

Ollie's Cune creations

These eye-catching dishes from Ollie Templeton are not only stunning, but perfect when paired with the right glass of Rioja. His first recipe is a simple cuttlefish number, which he serves with harissa and daikon – it's beautiful when savoured with a bottle of 2021 Cune Barrel Fermented Rioja Blanco. There's also his rich lamb ribs recipe with a silky, reduced wine sauce, a beautiful plate which goes hand-in-hand with a 2019 Cune Rioja Reserva (which can also be used in the sauce). On the hunt for a decadent side? Look no further than his brown butter, Manchego and sobrasada-topped grilled Jersey Royals – buttery and delicious, it's only enhanced by a 2020 Cune Crianza.

6 brilliant dishes to pair with white Rioja

It might be known as the land of red wine, but Rioja's whites certainly shouldn't be overlooked. Here, we've looked at six recipes which are perfect for celebrating Rioja Blanco in all its glory.

Match made in Rioja heaven

Hearty and brimming with bold flavours, our trio of recipes are the perfect fit for Rioja. Take our chile rellenos – deep-fried dried chillies stuffed with a brilliant amount of cheese, they're a fantastically indulgent starter which is the ultimate accompaniment to a glass of Cune's Rioja Crianza. Elsewhere, our juicy lamb burgers, with a rich homemade romesco, aioli and crispy fried leeks, and gambas pil pil, are guaranteed crowd-pleasers which also come with their perfect Cune partner.