Spain
Olivier Riviére
Rioja
Olivier Riviere is a passionate and intense young man who talks quickly but politely. He studied enology in Montagne St-Emilion, worked briefly with Elian Da Ros in Cotes-du-Marmandais, then at Domaine Leroy in Vosne-Romanée where his main interest was to learn about their biodynamic methods. He then went on to Domaine de Chassorney in St-Romain to see how beautiful unsulfured wines are made - he couldn't have chosen a better teacher than Fred Cossard.
His dream was to start his own estate in Fitou which didn't eventuate so in 2004 Olivier took a job with an estate in Rioja Alavesa to convert its vines into biodynamic culture. Following that, Olivier decided to stay in Rioja and began looking for vines tended organically, with the goal to buy grapes and make his own wine. He found a grower in the tiny village of Cardenas, and bought and vinified his grapes. He was able to rent a 1.20HA plot from another person, and had his first harvest in 2006.
In a very short period of time he has found a path straight into the hearts and minds of wine fanatics in France, Italy, Japan, the USA and of course, back home in Spain where he is starting get respect.
His grapes come from three types of soils: the Graciano vines and part of the Tempranillo for the bottling of Rayos Uva grow on alluvial soils, sandy with round stones; the old vines Garnacha (65 to 90 years) that go into Ganko grow on red soil, with marl and sand coloured by ferrous oxides, at an altitude of 600 meters in Rioja Alta; the best Tempranillo vines (75 years old) are in Rioja Alavesa on clay and limestone soils at 650 meters. Altitude is extremely important to Riviére, the cool nights keep acidity in the grapes, so he can make much fresher wines than most in the region. Riviéres wines are all about fruit glorious fruit !
His red bottlings are "Rayos Uva" which is bursting, juicy, bright and succulent and aged only in tank; "Ganko", half and half Garnacha and Tempranillo is aged in barrels and represents subtlety, harmony, elegance and stucture; and "Gabacho" that is 50% Tempranillo, 35% Garnacha, and 15% Graciano which is made and aged only in tank and vat and is a masterstroke; a medley of fruit, terroir and winemaker that is a thrilling ride.
These wines taste far apart from the vast majority of Spanish wine available on the market (which I find mostly tricked up and/or mundane) These are wines made in the spirit of Domaine de Chassorney or Jean Foillard; both producers Olivier loves to drink.
Germany