Home  /  Features  / Rueda: The Leading White Wine of Spain Spain’s exciting white wine region, Rueda, has burst onto the U.S. wine scene with deliciously fresh and fruity dry white wines predominantly from the region’s star grape Verdejo. A white wine of great character, it’s ironic that Rueda is in the high plateau directly between two of Spain’s most famous red wine regions: Ribera del Duero and Toro. Rueda has been known for making wine since the 11th century, and such wines would have been enjoyed by Ferdinand and Isabel, as they unified Spain in 1492 and made their capital in this region. Their patronage, and the important cities of Segovia and Valladolid, have made Rueda a key part of Spanish history and culture for centuries. Virtually every house in Rueda had a wine cellar, and grapes and wine were as much a part of life as bread and Catholicism! But in the last twenty-five years a revolution in Rueda has changed the style of the wines, and brought the region to the attention of the world’s wine connoisseurs.

A reverence for the indigenous variety, Verdejo, has been combined with modern equipment and winemaking techniques to make Rueda one of Spain's most cutting edge wine producing regions. Much of the harvest is done at night and every step of the winegrowing and winemaking process includes careful handling so that oxidation of the grapes is avoided. As a result, the Rueda Denomination of Origin (D.O. Rueda) was the first quality region to be approved by Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture for the larger Castilla y Leon region. All well and good, but what about the wines? Verdejo is a fascinating grape, with great freshness and acidity balanced with rich body and notes of citrus, minerality, and melon. You may think of Spain as a classic Mediterranean country, but this high plateau is a classic continental climate with long cold winters, short springs, and hot summers. These high elevations, between 2500 and 3000 feet) allow the late maturing Verdejo grape to develop deep aromas and flavors.

The result is a climate that makes dry, fresh wines with real character and brightness. Many producers in the region combine the native Verdejo with small amounts of Viura or Sauvignon Blanc into their blend for added complexity. How do you know what’s in the bottle? If the Label says Verdejo, the wine has to be at least 85% Verdejo—although many are truly 100% of the native grape. dry wine types whiteIf the Label says Rueda (without Verdejo on the front label), the wine has to be at least 50% verdejo, and there is often sauvignon blanc and/or viura blended in.best italian wine in india These crisp white wines from the high plains of Spain are perfect with the fresher, lighter cuisine of today, and match well with everything from sushi and calamari to the traditional roast suckling pig of Old Castille.best italian wine blogs

Learn More About Rueda Verdejo is autochthonous to Rueda The Weather in Rueda Rueda's weather fosters exceptional grapes. Rocky Soils in Rueda White Wines in Rueda Rueda is famous for its white varietals Food & Wine Pairing with Verdejo Learn about food and wine pairing with Verdejo All about the exceptional producers of wines in Ruedagood wine brands 2012 Visit DO Rueda's websitedry red wine reviews Learn more about the Denominacíon de Origen Ruedabest red wine consumer reports20The 5 Best Bargain Bubblieswhere is the best port wine from We sipped 100(!) sparkling wines -- all $15* or less -- to pick the best for every holiday occasion. best red wine for fish

These 5 picks bubbled to the top of our list. *All product names and prices accurate at time of print in the December 2012 issue. The Best for Toasting A balance of fruity yet crisp flavors makes this Spanish sparkler, Freixenet Cava Carta Nevada Semi Dry ($9), perfect for enjoying on its own. Crafted from a blend of three grape varieties and aged for up to nine months, it's not too sweet and not too dry. the best wine bars in london"Toasty -- with touches of apple and peach!" said one satisfied sipper. The Best For Cocktails With subtle nectarine notes and a clean, lemony finish, this dry white Italian prosecco, Cupcake Vineyards Prosecco D.O.C. ($14), is ideal for sparkling up cocktails! Think mimosas (half bubbly, half OJ), or pour it into a punch bowl with cranberry juice and brandy. Best With Hors D'oeuvres Made with muscat grapes, this refreshing pink wine, Barefoot Bubbly Pink Moscato California Champagne ($10), has peach, honey and citrus accents, and a light sweetness that pairs pleasingly with salty appetizers.

"It reminds me of cotton candy, in the best way!" praised one taster. This Australian-made wine, Yellow Tail Bubbles Rose ($10), impressed the entire panel. Dry but with a fresh strawberry-cherry flavor, it stands up to rich foods such as ham, duck and salmon. Cap off your night with this sweet Italian sparkler, Cinzano Asti D.O.C.G. ($13). It has "a ripe apricot taste," said one drinker. it smells like honey and flowers," commented another. Its slight tartness cuts through creamy cheeses, cakes and even chocolate. 3 Tips on Bubbly Basics Shop -- and sip -- smarter with our cheat sheet! 1. COUNTRY: Sparkling wines come from all over the world. Champagne is French, cava is Spanish and prosecco is Italian. They're simply called sparkling wines. 2. COLOR: Sparklers range from almost clear to deep pink hues. To infuse the booze with color, winemakers can blend a small amount of red wine into white wine, or make the bubbly from red grapes, whose skins tint the wine.