Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer... These well-known white grape varieties are already familiar "old friends" for wine lovers, and if you're looking for something fresh, Spain's niche white wines are a good choice.
1. Albarino
Albarino is the "C-bit façade" of the Spanish white grape variety, represented by the Rias Baixas. It is close to the ocean, the climate is mild and humid, and it has an excellent growing environment. Its sub-regions have different terroirs and unique winemaking techniques, which give Albarino a colorful "flavor coat".
Albarino grapes (Image: www.riasbaixaswines.com)
Wines made from Albarino are generally light lemon-gold, with a medium body and fresh acidity, with hints of white peach, apricot, melon, pineapple, mango and honeysuckle in the mouth, as well as unique mineral notes and oceanic hints of saltiness. The aromatic and charming taste combined with the fresh and elegant style will definitely make your eyes shine.
2. Macabeo
Majiabo is also a star breed in Spain and is widely distributed in the Catalonia and Rioja regions. In Catalonia, Ma Jia Po is used to make the well-known Cava sparkling wine, while in Rioja it is very different, where it has been transformed into a viura, which is an important ingredient for the local white wine.
Ma Jia Po participates in the blending of Magill Estate Koma white wines
Like Albarino, Ma Jia Po's wines are known for their clear acidity and rich floral aromas. In addition, Ma Jia Po is very malleable, it can make young and fresh wines, but also can make excellent wines with excellent aging potential, with more mature flavors such as honey and nuts, to fully satisfy your discerning taste buds.
3. Verdejo
Verdejo has been cultivated in the Rueda region of Spain for nearly a thousand years, although it has the characteristics of easy to oxidize varieties, but with the improvement of winemaking technology, the sealing of winery equipment is getting better and better, and the charm of Verdejo's varieties is gradually revealed.
Verdejo grapes (Image: www.riojawine.com)
Verdejo wines are often popular in a youthful, fresh style, with balanced acidity and hints of citrus, herbaceous, peach and fennel. Some winemakers tend to create more structured and ageing Verdejo wines, adding rich nutty flavors through impregnation and oak barrel fermentation. Whatever the style, you can try it for those who are used to drinking common varieties of wine and let the tip of your tongue go on a delicious adventure.
4. Grenache Blanc
Originally from northern Spain, Grenache Blanc is a white grape variety made from grenache variants, grenache also has the characteristics of easy oxidation, medium acidity and high alcohol content, and is often mixed with other varieties, but some wineries also use the old vine fruit to make 100% grenache wines.
Grenache Helena, Grenache White and Grenache Grey (Image: www.vins-rhone.com)
Influenced by the terroir, the style is varied, but it usually gives the wine a rich taste and aromas of green apples, citrus, herbs, flowers, spices and stone fruits, suitable for pairing with a variety of dishes rich in seafood and ingredients. Can the versatile Grenache Blanc match your unique vision of wine selection?
5. Godello
Gedejo is a unique tool of Spanish winemakers, which can adapt to a variety of growing environments and show completely different styles according to the natural environment, vintage and winemaking process. As a result, winemakers can create their own style of wine through Gedejo.
Gedejo grapes (Image: www.foodswinesfromspain.com)
Gedejo wines from Spain are well-structured and have pure and varied flavours. Rafael Palacios Sorte O Soro, Valdeorras, Spain, which is often well received by the Robert Parker Team for more than 95 points, is made by Gedejo. So, to try Spanish white wine, don't forget Gedejo!