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by Barbara Penny Angelakis
The ground-breaking wine producer Herederos Del Marqués De Riscal formally introduced the “City of Wine” on November 10, 2006, in New York City, with a blow out reception, vertical wine tasting and lunch at the trendy W Union Square Hotel. The “City of Wine” concept is part of a $100 million dollar project that includes renovating the historic winemaking facility at the Elciego, Rioja estate and the construction, on site, of a 21st century château hotel spa and conference center, the Marqués De Riscal Hotel. The hotel, built over the centuries old wine cellars of Marqués de Riscal, was designed by master architect  Frank O. Gehry. It features a stunning multicolored billowing titanium façade inspired by the movement of Spanish Flamenco dancers’ sweeping shawls and flowing dresses. The rose tinted canopies of waving sheets represent in the abstract the Marqués De Riscal red wine; the gold sheets represents the wire netting covering the bottle; and the silver sheets represents the bottle’s capsule. The recently opened “City of Wine” has appeal in equal measure to lovers of art and wine as well as traditionalists and innovators; with something for everyone to savor.
Arriving guests at the reception were greeted by a model gowned in a silver  strapless full-skirted dress designed by well known fashion designer Erin Lareau, to imitate the fabulous billowing canopy of the hotel. A rose colored tentacle jutted out of the bodice willy-nilly, while rose tulle peeked out of the full flowing skirt and gold wire mesh wrapped the bodice… more about the dress and its wearer later.
After an informative slide presentation, Pedro Aznar Escudero, a member of the Marqués de Riscal family and Director of Sales, walked us through the vertical tasting for the 1995, 1996 and 2001 Reserva and the 1994, 1995, 1996 2001 Barón de Chirel. While I thought all the wines were eminently drinkable, the Reserva, with its mixture of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, suited my pallet admirably with the 2001 being one of the best wines to hit the market in many years, and the wine I liked most.
We were treated to a spirited Flamenco dance performed by host José Luis  Muguiro Aznar, also a member of the Marqués de Riscal family and General Sales Manager, before being entertained by a professional group. Michelin Star Chef Francis Paniego, from the famed Echaurren Restaurant, flown in from Spain for the occasion, created the extraordinary lunch. The outstanding menu selections were Tomato Tartar with Crayfish and White Gazpacho, Eggs Gehry and Quick-Fried, Slow-Cooked Hake. For desert Warm Toast with Cameros Cheese was served. Each course was paired with a wine selection that included a crisp, fruity, fresh tasting white Rioja 2005 called Verdejo.
Unveiled during the lunch was the Marqués de Riscal Gehry Limited Selection Reserva 2001. The aforementioned model wearing the Marqués de Riscal gown, headed a parade of waiters all carrying magnums of this surprising wine. This full-bodied red named for the famous architect is more reminiscent of a Bordeaux then a Rioja. Each bottle is signed and numbered and sports a label of one of the original Frank Gehry sketches for the hotel.
Herederos Del Marqués De Riscal is to be congratulated for this creative project integrating avant-garde technology with the traditional old world values they are celebrated for.
© December 2006 LuxuryWeb Magazine. All rights reserved.
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