Wine Country International recently celebrated its twentieth anniversary! We explored two excellent wine areas located north of Madrid. Our upcoming issue will feature coverage of our Harvest 2022 visit to Spain.
Our first stop was the Rueda DO (Designation of origin). Established in 1980, Rueda is the first official wine appellation in Castilla y León. Today it is a renowned white region producing more than 40% of Spain’s white wines. The main grape is Rueda’s native Verdejo, with some producers making Sauvignon Blanc, Red, and Rose wines.
The Rueda region comprises 74 municipalities: 53 south of the Valladolid province, 17 in western Segovia, and four in northern Ávila.
We visited producers for three full days, with stops at some of the most delicious restaurants specializing in Roasted Baby Suckling Lamb and Roasted Baby Suckling pig dishes. Rueda Verdejo is a fantastic pairing with these rustic roasted meats.
We tasted more than 60 Rueda white wines during our tour. We contacted the producers and requested that they send us samples of the highest-rated bottles. Our magazine uses a 5-star like rating system, substituting wine glasses instead of star symbols.
Wines were received in late December and tasted during the holiday break with Wine Country International ® Wine Columnist Elizabeth Woesnner.
Rueda’s Best of The Best Wines:
Protos Verdejo Reserva 2019-$12.99
This 100% Verdejo boasts a deep golden yellow hue and provides a complex nose with apricot, honey, vanilla, and citrus aromas and a dry medium to full-bodied mouthfeel with intense flavors of lime pith, candied orange, and grapefruit and a long, elegant finish.
Palacio De Bornos Verdejo 2020- $14.99
This super aromatic wine with orange blossom, gooseberry, tangerine, and herbal notes. The full mouth is well structured with flavors of tangerine, lemon zest, cantaloupe melon, and a lingering finish.
Palacio De Bornos Sauvignon Blanc 2022- $8.00
In your face, typical Sauvignon Blanc aromas of green apple, freshly mown grass, lemon, and grapefruit give way to a plate of crisp green apple, lemon zest, and gooseberry with a light body and racy acidity.
Belondrade y Lurton Verdejo 2020- $60
Golden in color, this 100% Verdejo is slightly smoky with sweet lemon drops, yeast, and marzipan aromas. We found ripe tangerines, melon, almond, and orange pith on the palate with a refreshing finish.
Portia Verdejo 2021- $23
Aromas of nectarine and lemon zest. Grassy, herbaceous notes are followed by flavors of green apples and peaches with a zippy finish.
Rodriguez & Sanzo Bajo Velo Verdejo 2020-$25
Ten months in Sherry Cask Aromas of tangerine, lemon peel, peach, and pear are enhanced by flavors of white mushrooms, quince paste, and almonds leading to a long, pleasant finish.
Most of these wines are imported into the US. Please note that these tasting notes are for wine producers shipped to us. Our upcoming issue will feature the full selection of wines we tasted on our tour of the Rueda DO.
For more about the Rueda DO visit: https://www.dorueda.com/en/
