Wine tasting

In a recent blog about the Ribera and Rueda DOs in Spain, I noted that the Ribera del Duero D.O. region is known for tempranillo wines. It’s also good to know the different styles that Ribera winemakers are producing.

Wine Styles in Ribera del Duero D.O. 

• • • • Crianza – refers to wines aged in barrels for 1+ years
      • Reserva – wines are aged in barrel for 1+ years and then 2+ years in the bottle
      • Gran Reserva – wines age in barrel for 2+ years, followed by 3+ years in the bottle.
      • Cosecha – these wines are not defined by aging specifications. It should be noted that these wines frequently meet or exceed requirements.

Rueda D.O.

The wineries in the Rueda D.O. region concentrate on producing Verdejo wines. Below is a list of the wine styles to be discovered.

Wine Styles of Rueda D.O.

• • Rueda – wine must be produced with a minimum of 50% Verdejo
  • Rueda Verdejo – wines are at least 85% Verdejo
  • Sauvignon Blanc – wines must be a minimum  of 85% Sauvignon Blanc
  • Rueda Dorado – these wines must be barrel aged for a minimum of two years
  • Rueda Espumoso – these sparkling wines are produced in the traditional method, aged on lees and are in bottle for 9 months

Protos

Wine Tasting Notes

Bodegas Protos (This wine company has a winery in both Ribera del Duero and Rueda.)

Protos 2016, Rueda D.O. was a light straw color. The wine had a tropical fruit aroma. The taste was dry with citrus and tropical fruit. The finish was dry and crisp. The wine retails for $14.

The Bodegas Protos Tinto Fino 2016, Ribera del Duero D.O. retails for $20. This wine was a red/purple color. The wine was dry and fruity, with a faint hint of sweetness. The finish was dry and offered tannins that grew bold as the wine lingered. 

Bodega Alvides

Bodega Reina De Castilla Sauvignon Blanc 2017 was a very pale yellow. The wine offered a wonderful aroma. The wine was crisp with notes of grapefruit and tropical fruit including pineapple.

Bodega y Viñedos Martin Berdugo

Martin Berdugo Verdejo 2016 was a light to medium straw color. The wine was aromatic with tropical fruit notes. The taste include citrus, tropical fruit and mineral. The finish was dry. The aftertaste was long. The retail price is a reasonable $10.99

Martin Berdugo Rosado 207 was produced with Tempranillo. The wine was a pretty, pink color. The wine offered an aroma of strawberries and raspberries. The taste was slightly sweet but overall crisp. The finish offered a sense of effervescence. This is a wine I would use as a 3P wine, perfect for the porch, patio or pool. This wine also retails for $10.99.

Cyatho Verdejo

Bodegas Cyatho

The Cyatho Verdejo 2017 offered an intense aroma. The mouthfeel was smooth. The finish was crisp. This wine retails for $12.00.

Bodegas Pago de Carraovejas

The Pago de Carraovejas Cosecha 2015 was a blend of Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine was a beautiful opaque purple color. The wine offered intense notes of earthiness and blackberry. The wine was dry with bold tannins. The retail price is $50.

Marqués de Cáceres

The Marqués de Cáceres Verdejo 2016 was a pale yellow color. The wine offered an aroma of citrus especially lemon and mineral. The taste was also reminiscent of citrus and lemon. The finish was dry and the aftertaste was long. This wine is the flagship wine for the winery. The wine retails for $13. As I tasted the wine, I learned that the family-owned wine was started in the 1970s. Originally, the family was from Spain and moved to Bordeaux. Upon returning to Spain, they decided to start a winery.

Some wineries in the Ribera and Rueda regions are exporting their wines to the United States; other wineries are looking for importers for these well-made wines. Total Wine on the East Coast of the US offers several wines from these regions. Check your favorite wine shop and ask about Ribera del Duero and Rueda wines.

Cheers!
Kathy