Rueda wine tasting with Wine Events Scotland

DO Rueda wine events scotland

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.

DO Rueda wine events scotland

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.

Rueda_location.svg
By Té y kriptonita – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

 

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.

DO Rueda wine events scotland

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.

DO Rueda wine events scotland
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.

rueda and fred
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.

rueda and fredBodegas 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.

rueda wine events scotland

We are looking forward to the next tasting already!

For up-to-date information on the various wine tastings and events held by Wine Events Scotland, sign up for their email newsletter here.

 

 

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Emma

Emma

Hello!

I am Emma and with my husband Mark write Foodie Explorers, which is a food and travel website.

I am a member of the Guild of Food Writers and British Guild of Travel Writers.

We have a wide range of judging experience covering products, hotels and have judged, for example, for Great Taste Awards and Scottish Baker of the Year.

Along the way Mark gained WSET Level 2 in Wine and I have WSET Level 2 in Spirits as well as picking up an award with The Scotsman Food and Drink Awards.    

Usually I can be found sleeping beside a cat.

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