Rueda
Marques de Riscal Blanco 2005
White Rioja isn't exactly the sexiest white wine around. There are some good ones to be sure, with some new wines coming out that are starting to show promise. However, the ol' Marques has done himself a favour and gone west in search of white wine. To Rueda in fact. The Blanco is a blend of 85% Verdejo, 15% Viura, from the 195 Ha that Riscal has in Rueda
Its very attractive, vibrant pale straw colour that makes me want to pour it into a glass. The nose is fresh and full of summer fruit, passion fruit, grassy herbs, a bit of apricot and cooked fennel. But where this wine really makes an impact is in the mouth: silky, oily texture with a pin prick of acid and apple fruit. A bit of lime and herb as well. A very handy food wine I think, but just as good on its own. 89 Pts
Source: Toro/Woods Wines Price: Around $24 Closure: Conventional Cork
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The ol’ Marques was, that is one of his merits, actually one of the first of the big players to go west to show the world what a wonderful grape the good old nearly forgotten verdejo from Rueda is. Before that, verdejo for decades had only been used for supercheap supermarket wines.
I admit I only drink Riesling when drinking white wines. But one also has to admit that the Verdejo of Marques de Riscal shows us the way the Spanish whites have taken and are going to take … Personally, I prefer the nose to the mouth, anyway: very good piece of work at a more or less reasonable price. Good choice, as always, dave …
Thanks Christopher. From what I’ve read Rueda has a long history of producing good white wine, back to the 1800s I think.
These day, there is quite a lot of good Spanish white around. It’s not going to give white burg a run for its money in terms of quality and price, but there are a lot of enjoyable wines at very good prices.