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CVNE: Imperial—Villages, Plots, Maturation
A Rioja producer whose official name is Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España. For Imperial, selected grapes are from estate-owned vineyards in multiple villages of Rioja Alta, and base wines from each plot are blended together.
Describe the range of sources and the blending order for Imperial, and list any proportions not specified in the 2019 materials.
Questions for this course
If there are multiple vineyards for the grapes, are they fermented together from the start?
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Spain / Rioja / Rioja Alta
Alternative name/label: CVNE / クネ
Updated: 2026-10-07
Multiple villages in Rioja Alta
Imperial’s sources are proprietary vineyards in Villalba, Briones, and Torremontalbo. Official descriptions highlight differences in altitude and climate by village. Even within the broad Rioja Alta designation, there are vineyards with varying conditions.
Read the variety name and its breakdown
The published 2019 composition is 85% Tempranillo, the remaining 15% is Graciano, Mazuelo, and Garnacha. This reference does not provide the proportion for each supporting variety. Do not supplement by assuming the three varieties are evenly distributed at 5% each.
Aged separately and then blended
The vinification explanation details that base wines from each vineyard are separated, and matured in American or French oak barrels suitable for each. The final blend is decided after maturation. Mixing wines from different regions and fermenting them together from the start is not the same.
What to align and what to compare.
Geography
- Conditions to standardize
- Rioja Alta
- Conditions for comparison.
- Three villages
- Additional points to confirm
- Vineyard-specific conditions
Blending
- Conditions to standardize
- 2019
- Conditions for comparison.
- Total of major and auxiliary varieties
- Additional points to confirm
- Undocumented individual percentages
Process
- Conditions to standardize
- Imperial
- Conditions for comparison.
- Plot-by-plot maturation and final blend
- Additional points to confirm
- When to blend
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
CVNE Source Analysis: Imperial—Villages, Plots, Maturation
Match comparison tables with cited sources and explain differences in raw materials and vinification process.
Comparison tables are based on the cited sources. Please distinguish between vintage-specific specifications and general descriptions at the time of confirmation.
| Comparison items | Step | Official explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The village where the grapes are sourced | Villarba, Briones, and Tremontalvo | Rioja Alta |
| 2019 blend | Tempranillo 85% / three supporting varieties make up 15% in total. | The proportions for each accessory variety are not indicated. |
| Aging and blending | Blend the base wines after they are aged separately | Barrels are also chosen according to each base wine |
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Read the explanation for each question
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Where are the grapes sourced?
Imperial’s sources are proprietary vineyards in Villalba, Briones, and Torremontalbo. Official descriptions highlight differences in altitude and climate by village. Even within the broad Rioja Alta designation, there are vineyards with varying conditions.
What makes up the 15%?
The published 2019 composition is 85% Tempranillo, the remaining 15% is Graciano, Mazuelo, and Garnacha. This reference does not provide the proportion for each supporting variety. Do not supplement by assuming the three varieties are evenly distributed at 5% each.
When is the final blend made?
The vinification explanation details that base wines from each vineyard are separated, and matured in American or French oak barrels suitable for each. The final blend is decided after maturation. Mixing wines from different regions and fermenting them together from the start is not the same.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Match comparison tables with cited sources and explain differences in raw materials and vinification process.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Step | Official explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The village where the grapes are sourced | Villarba, Briones, and Tremontalvo | Rioja Alta |
| 2019 blend | Tempranillo 85% / three supporting varieties make up 15% in total. | The proportions for each accessory variety are not indicated. |
| Aging and blending | Blend the base wines after they are aged separately | Barrels are also chosen according to each base wine |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Describe the range of sources and the blending order for Imperial, and list any proportions not specified in the 2019 materials.
Check after writing
- Did you associate each label with its region and grape variety?
- Did you separate the shared and differing conditions in your comparison?
- Did you clearly indicate the year(s) the material covers or the date checked?
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