Emma Discovering new wine at home
Wine Events Scotland invited us to join in with the DO Rueda wine tasting event (we previewed it here) and here is a look at what we learned on this recent virtual wine tasting.
What happens at a virtual wine tasting?
Included with this wine event was four full-size bottles of wine from the Rueda region. We had only tried a couple of Rueda wines before the tasting, once in the Iberica Spanish restaurant chain and once on a trip to Spain, so they’re not all that common in the UK, though Lidl had one recently (it’s now sold out in our local store) and we also just saw a bottle in Asda too.
The wines on this occasion are even harder-to-find but thanks to Great Grog in Edinburgh they were delivered, well-packaged to our door (delivery nationwide). We then joined the Zoom meeting, which was very relaxed, so there was no need for host Diana Thompson to go all Jackie Weaver on anyone!
All you need to do in advance is chill the wine, get the glasses ready and fire up Zoom. Diana then guided us through each wine with questions encouraged. With the ticket per household, it means the whole family can share the screen and the wines.
Where is Rueda?
Rueda is a Spanish Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) and is located in the Castile and León region. It is one of Spain’s leading wine regions and is known primarily for its white wines using the Verdejo grape.
What is a Denominación de Origen Protegida
Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) is part of a system which means that they are of superior quality and characteristics of the geographical origin and be derived from raw materials originating from that region.
Verdejo Grape
Verdejo is a variety of wine grape that originates from North Africa and is grown in the Rueda region of Spain. In 1980, white wines from the Rueda region were recognized by a Denominación de Origen (DO). Wines labelled Rueda must contain 50% Verdejo; the remainder is typically Sauvignon blanc. Wines designated “Rueda Verdejo” must contain 85% Verdejo, and are often 100% Verdejo.
The Verdejo grapes are generally harvested at night, instead of in the daytime heat, which means that there is less oxidation or browning of the juice.
The wines we tasted
Bodegas S-Naia Sauvignon Blanc 2019, DO Rueda £10.19
According to Sommelier Mr Foodie, this one has a green oaky tinge with aromas of slate or wet countryside, but also with more expected Sauvignon Blanc characteristics of pear and elderflower. Tastewise, this was silky smooth with lots of lemon and lime. Acidic but not overly so for a Sauvignon Blanc.
Diez Siglos Verdejo 2019, DO Rueda £9.10
Mr Foodie’s notes this time are: Green oaky tinge again. Grass and citrus peel / oil aroma with a “leafy” taste (his way of describing an ‘oaked’ taste). Again silky smooth with acidic grapefruit but a creamy finish.
Bodegas K-Naia Verdejo 2019, DO Rueda £10.35
Green, oaky tinge once more, this time with a peach and melon aroma. This one is ever so slightly sparkling in that it’s tingly on your tongue. Quite dry with a citrus lemon and lime taste.
Bodegas Naia Verdejo 2019, DO Rueda £12.79
No surprise here a green, oaky tinge. 🙂 Sweeter aroma of peach and even sherbet. Another “leafy” tasting one with grapefruit, gooseberry and lime to finish.
We are looking forward to the next tasting already!
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