Exploring DO Rueda Wines (Spain)

For tonight's wine reviews, I explore the wines of Rueda (Spain) thanks to DO Rueda and GLO Communications.

Rueda Designation of Origin (DO) is one of the few European wine growing regions specialised in making white wines. Rueda is known for its excellence in producing white wines based on its native varietal, Verdejo, as well as its other principal white varietal, Sauvignon Blanc. While Sauvignon Blanc was introduced to Spain from Loire only in the 1970s, Verdejo has been grown in Rueda for over 10 centuries. In 1980, DO Rueda officially became an appellation, celebrating 40 years in 2020.

DO Rueda is located in northwestern Spain, within the provinces of Valladolid, Segovia and Ávila in the region of Castile and León. The region is located on high plains 700 to 870 metres (2,300 to 2,800 feet) above sea level, and affected by Atlantic winds. Areas close to the River Duero and its tributaries have broad alluvial and diluvial terraces. The brown, rocky soils are rich in calcium and magnesium, with good drainage, along with some limestone at the top of rolling hills, while their texture varies from sandy-loamy to loamy. The geological substratum has evolved on the surface towards rocky allochthonous deposits, giving rise to gravelly plots where the best DO Rueda vineyards are grown.

Winters are cold and very long, springs are short, and late frosts are common. However, summers are hot and dry, resulting in vines that seek water deep into the subsoil. High diurnal temperatures between the hot days and cool nights help maintain balance and excellent acidity. The robust Verdejo has learnt to survive the harsh environment that is Rueda.

Harvesting the grapes of Rueda usually occurs at night, while fermentation is often in stainless steel tanks, but sometimes also occurs in barrels. Oak barrels are also used to age the wine on lees. The wines below, which are all lovely, encompass some aspect of the traditional winemaking process in Rueda. While none of these wines are available at the LCBO, nor through the Passport to Rueda Mixed Case via WineAlign which is now sold out, you should be able to purchase these lovely wines through each winery's respective Agent.

Tasting Notes:

BODEGAS REINA DE CASTILLA EL BUFON VERDEJO 2019 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD) - $19.95
This Verdejo has a fresh, clean nose of citrus, grapefruit, and herb with a touch of stony minerals. The zesty, medium+ bodied palate has fine concentration with tangy citrus, grapefruit, and herbally flavours tapering into saline mineral notes. Succulent acids are fresh, and juicy. Grapefruit and oyster shell mineral with a touch of bitterness on the long finish. Keeps you coming back for another sip. Agent:
Brand New Day Wines & Spirits. Score: 90 pts

NEKORA BY DIEZ SIGLOS 2019 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD) - $19.92
Perfumed, fragrant, and aromatics offer lovely ripe tropical fruit, citrus, and pear mingling with floral, and honeysuckle aromas. It is medium+ bodied on concentrated, textured palate with fresh, juicy acidity, and more tropical fruit, citrus, and pear flavours with some minerality coming through on the long, succulent finish. Agent: Marchands des Ameriques Inc. Score: 90 pts

EL LAGAR DE MOHA SAPIENTIA VERDEJO ECOLÓGICO 2018 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD) - $21.95
This organic Verdejo was fermented using natural yeasts and aged on fine lees. The medium+ intensity nose has a leesy, lactic characters surrounded by peach, melon, and citrus aromas. It's medium-full bodied on the fleshy, creamy, and spicy palate with flavours of tropical fruit, citrus, and hints of spicy ginger. Acids are clean and well-balanced, while mineral and leesy notes linger on the long finish. Agent: Violet Hill Wine Imports. Score: 89 pts

BODEGAS VERDEAL AYRE VERDEJO EDICION PRIMAVERA 2019 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD) - $19.92
Fragrant, zesty lemon/lime citrus, herbs, and leesy aromas rise out of the glass. It's medium+ bodied with a creamy, leesy mouthfeel and sharp, lively acidity. Lovely flavour replays of lemon/lime citrus, herbal, and leesy flavours with a touch of saline mineral, all of which linger through to the long, succulent and leesy finish. Chill (but not too much) and enjoy! Agent: Bespoke Wine and Spirits. Score: 89 pts

BODEGAS JOSÉ PARIENTE VERDEJO FERMENTADO EN BARRICA 2018 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD) - $34.95
From 70-year-old vines, this barrel-fermented Verdejo was aged for 6 months in French oak barrels. Elegantly fragrant on the nose with ripe lemon citrus, tropical fruit, lemon curd, and peach with touches of sweet vanilla. It is medium-full bodied on the creamy and spicy palate with more lemon, tropical fruit, pineapple, and peach flavours accented with subtle vanilla oak spice notes. It has juicy, mouth-watering acids while vanilla-tinged lemon and leesy notes linger on the long, juicy finish. Agent: Azureau Wines & Spirits. Score: 91 pts

VINOS SANZ MONTESOL RUEDA SAUVIGNON 2019 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD) - $29.52
Fresh, fragrant, intense, and ripe aromas of passion fruit, kiwi, guava, floral, and asparagus with some underlying minerality. It's medium-bodied and fresh on the palate with lively, zesty acidity. Lovely lemon/lime citrus, passion fruit, and floral flavours plus some white pepper and herbal notes add complexity on the palate. Long, zesty finish with touches of mineral. Chill well and enjoy! Agent: Spain Only 1. Score: 90 pts