Continuing on with our Spanish theme from last month and Some quick facts about Albarino!, this month we are featuring white wines from Rioja!
(click here to read, Some quick facts about Albarino!)
Rioja lovers tend to first think of those fruity and lush red wines that this Spanish region produces. Undoubtedly, this is due to the overwhelming number of rather amiable Rioja red wines available in the UK. Sometimes, the Rioja blancos, the white wines don’t get a look in. Thankfully, over the past few years, this is changing for the better.
There are more Rioja blanco wines available. We have a good selection in store for you, in our fridges ready to go! Of course, it helps to know what it is that you are drinking so you can immediately enjoy your wine.
The main grape varieties that a white Rioja winemaker uses to create their wines are mostly native to Rioja.
Many white rioja wines will feature the most popular grape for that region, Viura. In other parts of the country, this grape has another name – Macabeo. And Macabeo is one of the main grape varieties used in many Cava, or Spanish Sparkling wine.
The Grapes
Winelovers know Viura for its fruity wines. Often with aromas of flowers, citrus and stonefruit. It produces wines that are fresh, fruity and have a rounded appeal. You will also find other native Spanish white wine grapes as well such as Garnacha blanca, Tempranillo blanco, Turruntes (no relation to Torrontes), and Maturana blanca.
It might also include other white wine grapes including two of the wine world’s very popular varieties. These white wine blends can also include Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay. However, neither of these grapes (individually or even together) can be used for more than 49% of the blend.
It goes without saying though, that all the grapes used in the wines have to come from the region of Rioja. That much loved region in the country’s north east.
The Wines
Rioja Blanco wines range from unoaked to rich and creamy. Don’t forget, though, that there are Rioja sparkling wines as well. Or Espumosos de Calidad de Rioja. All Rioja wines feature a coloured seal on the back of the bottle. This is helpful so that you quickly work out the style of wine you are buying. These are the seals for white wines:
Green (Joven / Generic Rioja) – means that a wine is a young white wine that has been produced to be fresh and fruity in style. These white wines may not have had any oak maturation. However, some may have been matured in oak for a short time. It is best to check on the back label.
Red (Crianza Rioja) – these white wines must have had an ageing period of at least 6 months in barrel. The age of the barrel however may be an older barrel which would mean that it is not as heavily oaked as you might expect. You should expect these wines to still have a youthful vibrant freshness with some creamy texture and some spiciness.
Maroon (Reserva) – Reserva level white wines must have had at least 2 years of ageing of which at least 6 months of that maturation has been in a barrel. These white wines are generally creamier than Crianza white Rioja wines. They may have much more noticeable oak.
Blue (Gran Reserva) – Gran Reserva white wines are exceptional indeed. These white wines must have had at least 4 years of ageing of which at least 6 months of that maturation has been in a barrel. These wines will have a round creamy texture and potentially some honeyed character evolving. These wines are certainly wines well on their journey.
How to serve them
So, there you are. Rioja blanco wines will range from medium bodied with fresh floral and zesty citrus fruit to full bodied, silky textured stonefruit and honey character wines. To enjoy them at their best though, we can recommend the following.
A good rule of thumb is that any wine without oak or lightly oaked, therefore, likely those wines under the Generic (green) level, should be served chilled to around 6 – 8o C. All the other levels of Rioja blanco can be served just a couple of degrees less chilled. around 8 – 10o C.
This is a tip for any white wine that has had time in an oak barrel. That slightly warmer temperature, although still at chill temperature, will allow the wine to be stay in balance. It means that the oak will not overpower the fresh fruit in the aromas or flavours. And it means the acid is slightly softer in your mouth while still being refreshing.
Don’t forget to ask in store for Spanish white wines recommendations! And don’t forget to like us on Facebook or instagram.
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