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Vino de Pago is the highest classification in Spain and
has been in existence only since 2003 through a wine law and is awarded
to wines from a few select estates only. The regional government of Castilla-La
Mancha had unilaterally introduced it in 2000. It is reserved for single
estates of the highest international reputation.
The other four estates which have received this honour
are the Dominio de Valdepusa, Finca Elez, Guijoso and Dehesa del Carrizal;
all are in Castilla-La Mancha.
Other Spanish appellations in the descending order of
general quality standards are Denominación de Origen Calificada
(DOCa- 2 regions), Denominación de Origen (DO- 65 regions), Vino
de Calidad Producido en Región Determinada (VCPRD- 2 regions),
Vinos de la Tierra (VdlT-55 regions) and Vino de Mesa (Table wine).
Located in Tierra Estella in Northern winemaking
region of Navarra, the Estate was acquired by the Chivite family in 1988
and the family started planting new vines from the very beginning. The
state-of-the art winery was inaugurated by the King of Spain in 2002.
Says Fernando Chivite, president of the company, 'Only
the best vintages of Pago wines will be commercialized in a limited quantity.
We will continue selling Colección 125 wines, but this allows us
to develop wines within the Pago that explore different aspects of our
terroirs,' says Chivite. 'In a way, Colección will become the second
wine of the estate.'
'In order to attain Pago certification, you have to demonstrate
that you have a very particular terroir and that the wines made on the
estate have a track record of selling at premium prices,' Fernando Chivite
added.
At the moment, Chivite has three vintages of its Pago
wines – 2000, 2001 and 2002 which have been stored away and will
start distributing them early in the new year.
The wines from the estate have, up until now, been bottled
and sold under the Colección 125 label. This wine was one of the
Spanish wines presented by Indian Wine Academy at the Wines of Spain tasting
at IFE- India last December and was liked by the record number of participants.
Subhash Arora
January 9, 2008
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