Rueda

Palacios de Bornos Verdejo 2005

Spring is just starting in Melbourne, so its warm enough to get stuck into some white wine and really enjoy it in the sunshine.  This is the first wine from Rueda that I have reviewed so far, but if this one is anything to go by there will be many more with summer coming. 

Rueda is one of the few white wine regions of Spain, Rias Baixas being another notable one.  The primary grape here is Verdejo, rumored to be an ancient clone of the great Portuguese grape Verdelho.  Of course given a couple hundred years of evolution it is a very different beast now days.

Bright hay with a greenish tinge.  The nose is full of tropical fruit, passion fruit and mango, with something like raw fennel bulb.  Fresh and lively palate with a very pleasing oily consistency.  More tropical fruits in the mouth and a long finish with a nice bit of bitterness.  Very satisfying on a warm afternoon and would go very well with dishes with a bit of heat like fried peppers or Vietnamese chili and lemongrass dishes.  A bargain too.  88 Pts.

Source: Importer Sample Price: Around $20 Closure: Synthetic Cork

Importer: Toro Wines/Wood Wines