Ribera del Duero and Rueda- a Marriage Made in Heaven

Photo Credit:  Ribera del Duero & Rueda

If you've ever taken a wine tour with me then you've heard me talk about some of the great marriages in the wine world:  Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Grenache.  Well today, it's time to announce a brand new couple- but this union is all different.  This is the union of two great Spanish D.O.'s - Rueda and Ribera del Duero.  

These two regions sit on the River Duero, which gives them similar continental climates with long hot summers and cold winters, and soil filled with lime, gravel and clay.  The roots of the vines have to dig down deep to get their nutrients giving character and strength to the wines.  As similar as these two regions are, they vary in varieties, though again, in perfect harmony.  Ribera del Duero produces, most notably, Tinto Fino, also known as Tempranillo.  Rueda, on the other hand, is most well known for their Verdejo.  

Now, you all know Tempranillo.  It reigns supreme in every one's go to Spanish red- lovingly known as Rijoa.  Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero is medium to

Photo Credit:  Ribera del Duero & Rueda

medium high in body.  It is medium to medium high in acid.  It imparts beautiful flavors of red fruits- cranberries, strawberries, plums, hints of almond and vanilla. These are powerful wines- ones you can easily sip on a chilly evening or pair with a hearty bean stew, or with a Tortilla Espanola.  As it doesn't have high tannins, this isn't a wine that demands rich and fatty foods, but one that can easily pair with those chicken and pork dishes, or even pair with swordfish.

Verdejo is special.  Verdejo can be compared to Sauvignon Blanc, with its citrus and stone fruit palates, and can also show signs of herbaceous qualities.  However it is fuller in body than your typical Sauvignon Blanc, making Verdejo, in my opinion just a bit more versatile.  It will pair beautifully with your shrimp or scallop dishes, but can easily work with bigger, heartier fair as well.  This one of those white wines that can hold its own in the winter months.  

The partnership of these two regions means that both of these wines will be easier to find.  They are showcasing them over the next few years in American markets and they are excited to teach us about their treasures.  Don't skip these bottles - I had the opportunity to taste the 2014 Verdejo and it was outstanding.  These two promise great things for many years.