Spain’s indigenous whites: panel tasting results
In an eclectic tasting with several surprises, Spain proved its indigenous grapes have plenty to offer white wine lovers, with tremendous range and character to suit all pockets.
Sarah Jane Evans MW, Matthew Forster MW and Beth Willard tasted 149 Spanish indigenous whites with seven outstanding and 77 highly recommended wines.
Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit current-release vintages of 100% varietal white wines from any region in Spain
The verdict
Cask-fermented Palomino from Cádiz. Garnatxa Blanca from Terra Alta. Macabeo from Aragón.
It was no wonder that such a variety of grapes and regions won praise from the judges and earned Outstanding scores.
However, it was one of Spain’s better-known white styles that performed best across the board. White Rioja accounted for three Outstanding wines and 13 Highly Recommended. ‘The Riojas were all benchmark, high-end offerings; sophisticated oak, quite classically styled,’ noted Matthew Forster MW.
While the three Rioja top scorers were made from Viura, other varieties worked well too. ‘I found some of the really individual characteristics of Tempranillo Blanco came through, which is exciting,’ said Beth Willard. ‘Some of the younger wines were really lovely, which reflects where Rioja is with its white winemaking.’
Verdejo from Rueda also put in a solid performance with 10 Highly Recommended wines. ‘Rueda is a great alternative to New Zealand Sauvignon,’ noted Willard. ‘Verdejo is a fabulous glass of wine; it’s fresh, with limey, lemony character and a really sharp acidity. It shows there’s a lot to offer in these classic Spanish regions.’
Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top Spanish indigenous white wines
In contrast, a classic style that didn’t perform as well as expected was Albariño. ‘There was consistency at a good level,’ said Willard, noting the 12 Highly Recommended wines – however none of them delivered a wow factor. ‘Probably because they were young; most were 2019 and they just didn’t have a lot of character,’ added Sarah Jane Evans MW. ‘Albariño is now producing some really quirky wines and really individual winemakers – but we didn’t have any of those here.’
So what did deliver? ‘We had an amazing Palomino from Cádiz,’ said Evans. ‘And something that really sang out to me was Godello, which had this lovely honeyed character.’ Producing 11 Highly Recommended wines – most from Galicia – Godello is ‘an interesting choice if you want to try something that’s not Atlantic but is a little bit fresher’, she added.
‘Garnacha Blanca was the takeaway for me,’ said Forster. While conceding it is ‘thought of as quite rustic’, he added: ‘We found some illuminating examples – lovely wines, open-textured, rich and concentrated with the oxidative characters lending complexity rather than dragging the fruit down. I think there’s plenty of mileage in that grape variety.’
Although grapes such as Garnacha Blanca or Forcada aren’t familiar to most, they aren’t new. In fact they demonstrate a trend for winemakers in Spain to return to their roots and celebrate their old-vine heritage.
‘You might call these wines “new wave”, but they’re actually really old winemaking regions and old wines that are undiscovered,’ explained Willard. ‘The current generation of winemakers are going back to the origin and resurrecting the cultural history and richness of Spain, which is really exciting.’
Indigenous varieties also capture a uniquely Spanish character in a way that international varieties might not. ‘Even with the diversity of style, there is always something that you can identify as Spain,’ noted Forster.
The judges agreed that the inherent diversity of indigenous Spanish whites is a key part of their appeal for wine lovers. ‘We’ve gone across a whole range of wines, and the ones we liked were a complete mix of different styles, so everybody will find something to love,’ concluded Evans.
Discussion copy by Julie Sheppard.
See all the wines from the Spanish indigenous whites panel tasting
The Spanish indigenous white scores:
149 wines tasted
Exceptional 0
Outstanding 7
Highly Recommended 77
Recommended 60
Commended 4
Fair 0
Poor 0
Faulty 1
Spanish whites: the facts
- In 2019, Spain produced 34,080,769hl of wine, of which 15,912,993hl (46.7%) was white
- In 2015, Spain had 484,396.07ha of red wine vineyards and 440,153.66ha of white wine vineyards
- Airén (white) was the most widely planted variety (215,484.14ha), followed by Tempranillo (red, 201,051.39ha)
- The next three most widely planted whites were: Macabeo in fifth place, Cayetana Blanca (like Airén, commonly used for distillation; in seventh) and Verdejo (11th)
Source: Spanish Ministry of Agriculture
About Spain’s indigenous whites
A veritable A to Z of grape varieties awaits your discovery across Spain’s varied, often rugged and sometimes verdant terrains. Sarah Jane Evans MW loves their style, and says now’s the time to try
Quietly, almost stealthily, Spain is transforming itself into a destination for white wines. The country’s reputation may be solidly for reds, and specifically Tempranillo in its various forms. In terms of volume, though, Airén is still the most widely planted. This is explained by the fact that it produces wines ideal for distillation.
It’s relatively anonymous, though, and needs careful management by both viticulturist and winemaker. Elías López Montero at Bodegas Verum in Tomelloso, Castilla-La Mancha, in the heart of distillation country, is showing the way with his own-rooted, amphora-aged Airén.
In the northwest, Albariño has grabbed international attention, closely followed by Verdejo, both driven by energetic marketing campaigns from their dominant denominations: respectively Rías Baixas and Rueda.
The advantage of these varieties is that they make approachable wines, typically as single varietals, sold young, some with lees ageing, most without oak influence. On their first appearance on the international scene, they gave a completely different vision of Spanish white wine.
By contrast, Viura (Macabeo) is a more complex character, more widely spread across the country’s different terroirs (including as an element of Cava) and often oak-aged. It’s much harder to nail Viura at a tasting than the straightforwardly fruity Verdejos.
Revival of interest
Once upon a time – and specifically before phylloxera, around the end of the 19th century – Spain’s vineyards were bright with white grapes, interplanted with reds in field blends. Almost a century later, researchers are recuperating some of these varieties, and discovering others.
In Rioja, for instance, Juan Carlos Sancha has been part of a team, and he now has a selection in his bodega (including the historic Maturana Blanca). In Castilla y León, the results of 14 years of research are coming to fruition, though the half-dozen chosen varieties (two of which are white) don’t yet have confirmed names, and it will take another decade or so before the wines come on stream. In Catalonia, Torres has led the way in ampelographic detective work and continues to release varieties (including Forcada in this tasting).
The pleasure of these diverse varieties is their regionality, and their connection to climate and terroir. Godello, from Valdeorras in Galicia, has become attractive for producers from outside the region looking for an elegant white with a character that’s more Chardonnay than Sauvignon Blanc – more recent adoptees include CVNE (at Pagos del Galir).
Xarel.lo, formerly known only for its role as the backbone of Cava, is building a profile in Catalonia as a still wine. In the same region, Garnacha Blanca has had a transformation. Not long ago it was just a poor relation of the equally unloved Garnacha Tinta, but now the DOs of Terra Alta and Alella in particular are showing its appeal as a complex, textured white.
An unexpected outsider is Palomino Fino. The foundation of dry Sherries, particularly manzanilla, was disguised by the winemaking process. The recent explosion in producing unfortified Palominos, with little or no flor influence, is revealing the character of this variety when grown on dazzling limestone albariza soils. At the same time, the varieties of the Canary Islands have come into the global marketplace; their Listán Blanco is the same grape as Palomino.
Spain is a terrific hunting ground for white wines. From the Albillo Mayor of Ribera del Duero and the Albillo Real of Cebreros to the Zalema of Condado de Huelva, there hasn’t been a better time to explore.
Top-scoring wines from the Spanish indigenous whites panel tasting:
The judges
Sarah Jane Evans MW
Evans is an awarded journalist, author and broadcaster in food and wine, with a particular interest in Spain. A Master of Wine since 2006, she is chairman of Spain’s Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino, author of The Wines of Northern Spain, and one of three Co-Chairs overseeing the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Matthew Forster MW
An independent wine consultant and education specialist, Forster started his wine career with Berry Bros & Rudd before joining the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, where he led the team responsible for WSET qualifications in wine, spirits & sake. A Master of Wine since 2016, he specialises in the wines of Spain and Portugal.
Beth Willard
After moving to the UK from Australia, Willard worked in several buying roles before that of buying manager at Direct Wines. Now working with Winetraders to introduce new wines from Spain and Eastern Europe to the UK, she is a member of Spain’s Gran Orden de Caballeros de Vino and the Confrérie de Tokaj.
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Bodegas Muriel, Viña Muriel, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2013
Made from Viura grapes grown in Elciego, Rioja Alavesa. The fruit undergoes fermentation for 20 days in French oak barrels followed by further maturation over...
2013
Bodegas MurielRioja
Raúl Pérez, Ultreia Godello, Bierzo, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2018
The Godello grapes are from three sites in the village of Valtuille de Abajo, though 90% of the fruit in this vintage actually comes from...
2018
Raúl PérezBierzo
Valdespino, Macharnudo Alto, Palomino Cask Fermented, Andalucia, Spain, 2018
An unfortified offering from one of Jerez’s oldest bodegas. Grapes are sourced from Valdespino’s historic Macharnudo Alto vineyards. Fermentation took place in used Sherry casks...
2018
Valdespino
Bodegas Frontonio, Microcósmico, Valdejalón, Aragón, Spain, 2018
Frontonio’s Microcósmico Macabeo is a limited production of ‘micro’ wine made by Fernando Mora MW, Francisco Latasa and Mario López in Valdejalón. Fermented for 15...
2018
Bodegas FrontonioValdejalón
Vinos del Panorámico, Tierroya, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2016
The Viura for this wine is picked from 85-year-old vines from a single vineyard in Sorzano, which lends the wine its name, ‘Tierroya’, referring to...
2016
Vinos del PanorámicoRioja
Las Colinas del Ebro, Garnatxa Blanca, Terra Alta, Catalonia, Spain, 2019
Made from fruit grown above 500m altitude with organic certification, facilitated by a dry wind known as El Cierzo, which wards off disease. The...
2019
Las Colinas del EbroTerra Alta
Ollauri, Conde de los Andes, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2016
Bodegas Ollauri is located in the heart of Rioja Alta. The Viura grapes are selected carefully from different vineyards in Briñas (Rioja Alta) and Labastida...
2016
OllauriRioja
#garagewine, Airen, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, 2019
Delicate nose of orange peel and lemon. Lovely texture on the palate with fresh acidity, slight hint of tannin and pithy lemon finish. Quite a...
2019
#garagewine
Rioja Vega, Tempranillo Blanco, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2016
Caramel and coffee notes on the nose with cedar and spice from oak. Elegant lemony, waxy texture, great palate weight and freshness. A rich style,...
2016
Rioja VegaRioja
Costers del Priorat, Blanc de Closos Old Vines, Priorat, Catalonia, Spain, 2018
Very floral nose of apricot, lychee, and pear. Round supple palate with a determinedly savoury, salty sign-off. Lovely tannic aspect, complex but refreshing and widely...
2018
Costers del PrioratPriorat
Pazos de Lusco, Lusco, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Youthful energy on the nose with honeysuckle, pink grapefruit, lime curd and nectarine. Supple on the palate with balanced freshness.
2019
Pazos de LuscoRías Baixas
Bodega Vetus, Flor de Vetus, Rueda, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2019
Flinty nose. Great balance and texture on the palate with notes of lime zest, marmalade and clementine. Fresh and long finish with some mineral notes.
2019
Bodega VetusRueda
Bodegas Verum, Las Tinadas, La Mancha, Spain, 2018
Tinned peach, white floral notes and spice on the nose. Lots of ripe stone fruit, a touch of mango and fresh acidity on the finish....
2018
Bodegas Verum
Viña Ijalba, Tempranillo Blanco, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2019
Very fresh on the nose with almond and citrus notes. The palate is well balanced and elegant with attractive oak character and some notes of...
2019
Viña IjalbaRioja
Granbazán, Don Álvaro de Bazán Albariño, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2015
Delicate pain d'epices and minty notes. A lovely creamy texture, slightly waxy, lemon sherbet with a powerful long finish.
2015
GranbazánRías Baixas
Mas Blanch i Jove, Troballa Blanc, Costers del Segre, Catalonia, Spain, 2019
Young yet deliciously complex: crisp acidity, and fine texture. Distinctive honeyed character overlying delicate peach fruit with a very appealing mineral note. Long concentrated finish.
2019
Mas Blanch i JoveCosters del Segre
Adur, ADUR XO, Txakolí, de Getaria, Northern Spain, Spain, 2016
Quince and crab apple jelly with marked oak influence. Lemon and mandarin, quince with fresh acidity. Very complex and elegant, a great example of a...
2016
AdurTxakolí
Bodegas Hermanos Peciña, Chobeo de Peciña, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2018
Lightly aromatic on the nose with a bold citrus-fruited palate with typically smoky oak. Underlying minerality with flinty and wet stone character. Lemony finish.
2018
Bodegas Hermanos PeciñaRioja
Bodegas Nairoa, Alberte, Ribeiro, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Very tropical on nose with pink grapefruit, syrupy peach and rose. Palate has a fine interplay of green herbs, fresh lemons, honeyed flowers and minerals....
2019
Bodegas NairoaRibeiro
Granbazán, Etiqueta Ambar Albariño, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Smoky mezcal and lime on nose. The palate is very elegant with fresh acidity and attractive salinity. A mineral, textural wine.
2019
GranbazánRías Baixas
Miguel Torres, Forcada, Penedès, Catalonia, Spain, 2016
Vibrant nose of white floral notes, citrus, and mint. Palate has impressively crunchy acidity which dominates the heart of the wine. Persistent, long crunchy finish;...
2016
Miguel TorresPenedès
Campo Elíseo, Cuvée Alegre, Rueda, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2019
Attractive lime cordial, elderflower character. Palate is creamy and limey with a fresh finish. Well balanced complex Rioja.
2019
Campo ElíseoRueda
Gorka Izagirre, G22 Lias Finas, Txakolí, de Bizkaia, Northern Spain, Spain, 2018
Notes of honey, mint, and acacia on the nose. Waxy and firm on the palate with freshness and mineral persistence. Weightier, richer style of Txakoli...
2018
Gorka IzagirreTxakolí
Rafael Palacios, Louro Do Bolo, Valdeorras, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Smokey, wood fire aromas. Elegant, creamy, and intense with lots of yellow fruit and black pepper, green chillies on finish. Elegant for drinking young, could...
2019
Rafael PalaciosValdeorras
Bodegas Adria, Godello, Bierzo, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2019
A spicy, fresh, and fruity wine with great palate weight, fresh acidity, and distinctive character. Attractive green, limey fruit with melon and white pepper on...
2019
Bodegas AdriaBierzo
Mas Vilella, Malvasia de Sitges, Catalonia, Spain, 2018
Smokey, intriguing on nose. Palate of orange marmalade, citron peel, lime juice, and then underneath some savoury toasty notes to give texture and warmth. Original,...
2018
Mas Vilella
Bodegas Corral, Vine Roots, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2019
Bright gold. Vibrant orange and lemony nose. Finely textured with mineral notes, and a profound finish.
2019
Bodegas CorralRioja
Pago de los Capellanes, O Luar do Sil, Valdeorras, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Perfumed nose, floral and white pepper followed by appealing richness of apricot and pineapple fruit. Really good varietal expression with attractive honey and pear...
2019
Pago de los CapellanesValdeorras
Fincas de Azabache, Tempranillo Blanco, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2019
Very aromatic with peach and raspberry on the nose. Sweet orange and strawberry on the finish.
2019
Fincas de AzabacheRioja
Azumbre, Verdejo, Rueda, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2018
Vivid apricot jam and mango peel aromas with apple peel and baked hay notes. The palate is full-bodied, layered with marmalade, citrus fruits, and...
2018
AzumbreRueda
Bodegas Docampo, Señorio da Vila, Ribeiro, Galicia, Spain, 2018
Lemon cheesecake, slightly waxy, grassy, herbaceous on the nose. Delicate dancing palate, with lively notes of lime and pomelo. Fresh with attractive texture and mineral,...
2018
Bodegas DocampoRibeiro
Rioja Vega, Tempranillo Blanco, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2018
Sweet oak character and lemon sherbet fruit on the nose. Palate is very well balanced with spicy oak, lovely creamy texture, very fresh acidity and...
2018
Rioja VegaRioja
Bodegas Menade, La Mision, Castilla y León, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2017
Slightly flinty, smokey character. Well balanced wine with some fresh lemon and a mineral finish.
2017
Bodegas MenadeCastilla y León
Bodegas Ontañón, Vetiver Viura, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2018
Some attractive balsamic and thyme notes on nose. Supple palate and a fresh acidity with gold plums, yellow apples and a limey finish. The oak...
2018
Bodegas OntañónRioja
Martín Códax, Lías, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2017
Fresh and fruity, quite flinty on nose. Bursting with citrus, fruit preserves, yellow plum fruit and a long saline, mineral finish. Lively example of an...
2017
Martín CódaxRías Baixas
Bodegas Barbadillo, Mirabrás, Andalucia, Spain, 2017
Bruised apple and Worcester sauce aromas. Full vivid palate, lands with bold character, full of spice. Intensely savoury, very big and rich with a lot...
2017
Bodegas Barbadillo
Adega Pombal a Lanzada, Arcan, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2017
Attractive cheesy, pecorino, salty notes on nose. Fresh and lively palate with some piquant citrus, green apple, pear and peachy character. Lovely balance and complexity.
2017
Adega Pombal a LanzadaRías Baixas
4 Monos, Albillo Real, Madrid, Spain, 2017
The four monkeys (4 Monos) are four friends who met while hiking in the Sierra de Gredos mountains near Madrid and now own 5ha of...
2017
4 Monos
Fos, Blanco, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2019
Honeyed smoky aromas. Bright, refreshing palate with lemon, green apple and slightly grassy, herbaceous character. Fleshy and elegant.
2019
FosRioja
Bodegas Zugober, Belezos, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2017
Oak shows through on the nose. A very creamy, mocha wine with a savoury, balsamic finish. Weighty but fresh and balanced with typical Viura character.
2017
Bodegas ZugoberRioja
Campo Elíseo, Rueda, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2018
Well balanced use of oak, slightly smokey character. Fresh lemon and apple on palate with a clean, crisp finish.
2018
Campo ElíseoRueda
Finca Constancia, Parcela 52, Rueda, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2018
Generous and full bodied Verdejo with some vanilla and sweet yellow fruit on the nose. Fine concentration and well balance.
2018
Finca ConstanciaRueda
Bodegas Frontonio, Botijo Blanco, Valdejalón, Aragón, Spain, 2019
Light floral perfumes. Supple succulent palate with crisp acidity, warm melon, and passion fruit charm. Rich and mouth filling with an elegant mineral twist on...
2019
Bodegas FrontonioValdejalón
Viña Ijalba, Maturana Blanca, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2019
Lively fresh wine with honey, menthol and a very attractive herbal note. The palate is fresh and fruity with a long intense finish.
2019
Viña IjalbaRioja
Bodegas Peique, Andaina Godello, Bierzo, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2019
Slightly smoky on the nose with a hint of fresh apple. Firm, focussed palate of pronounced slate and graphite minerality with powerful citrus and a...
2019
Bodegas PeiqueBierzo
Dominio de Tares, La Sonrisa de Tares, Bierzo, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2019
Elegant, floral and herbal nose of green asparagus, pea and pine resin. A creamy, rich texture with balanced acidity and intensity of fruit. Long and...
2019
Dominio de TaresBierzo
Soto Manrique, La Viña de Ayer Albillo Real, Cebreros, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2017
Nose of warm apple pie with hints of spice. Interesting richness on the palate, mulberry fruit and some pleasant baking spice notes. A very distinct...
2017
Soto ManriqueCebreros
Bodegas Shaya, Arindo, Rueda, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2019
Tropical in style with fresh pineapple, passionfruit and herbal notes. Good concentration and weight on palate with an intensity of flavours and a limey, racy...
2019
Bodegas ShayaRueda
Sasserra, Ancestral Xarel.lo, San Pere de Ribes, Catalonia, Spain, 2008
Lovely green gold colour with an intriguing rummy nose. Spritzy palate, lovely acidity; very intense with woody spice and caramel, hazelnut flavours. An interesting wine.
2008
SasserraSan Pere de Ribes
Hammeken Cellars, Gotas de Mar, Ribeiro, Galicia, Spain, 2018
Deep golden colour with honey and spiced apricots on nose. A very flashy palate with lots of yellow fruit, honeysuckle, beeswax, and well-balanced acidity. Rich...
2018
Hammeken CellarsRibeiro
Beronia, Verdejo, Rueda, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2019
Bright citrus and green apple fruit on the nose. Palate is very fresh, vibrant with typical green, limey fruit. A mineral approach with some...
2019
BeroniaRueda
Pazo la Maza, Albariño, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2018
Fairy floss and rhubarb with lemony notes on nose. Supple and smooth apricot and saline character on palate. A richer and creamier style.
2018
Pazo la MazaRías Baixas
Clos de Lôm, Malvasia, Valencia, Valencia, Spain, 2019
A very Valencian expression of Malvasia with loads of oranges, marmalade character. Very ripe, sunny fruity with mouth-watering freshness, a very sunny wine. Fascinating
2019
Clos de LômValencia
Bodegas Adria, Etapa 24, Bierzo, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2016
Bright gold colour: honeyed with apricot, marmalade make for an expressive nose. Palate is waxy, creamy and orange followed by tropical notes. Slightly bitter on...
2016
Bodegas AdriaBierzo
Bodegas Terra D'Art, Flor de Ahillas, Valencia, Valencia, Spain, 2019
Lovely fresh pineapple and lime on the nose. Structured palate; racy acidity with an attractive saline character. Long complex finish. Distinct character but with broad...
2019
Bodegas Terra D'ArtValencia
Astobiza, Txakolí, de Alava, Northern Spain, Spain, 2019
Saline and lemony on nose. Fine interplay between balanced red grapefruit acidity, fresh green herbs, and sea saltiness. Very mineral, distinctly so, gives individuality. Elegant.
2019
AstobizaTxakolí
Bodegas Hydria, 4 Cuerdas, Bullas, Jumilla, Spain, 2018
A more delicate nose with floral notes. Creamy palate with tangerine fruit, layers of vanilla cream; tangy freshness shows through. Lively intense finish, full of...
2018
Bodegas HydriaBullas
Lagar de Costa, Albariño, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Very fresh acidity, lively yellow grapefruit and lemon pith. A more mineral palate which should open up with time.
2019
Lagar de CostaRías Baixas
Ossian, Castilla y León, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2018
Fresh and fruity on the nose. Sweaty character on palate with baked straw and tarte tatin. Excellent concentration and intensity.
2018
OssianCastilla y León
La Purísima, Consentido, Yecla, Jumilla, Spain, 2019
Slightly confected face paint aromas yield to a smoky and complex palate with nutmeg spice and laurel. Long lively finish, with chalky texture giving interest.
2019
La PurísimaYecla
Borja Pérez Viticultor, Artífice, Tenerife, Spain, 2017
Marmalade, citrussy nose. Full bodied; palate is very textural with fresh acidity, notes of pine resin and umami flavours with a long, building finish.
2017
Borja Pérez Viticultor
Virgili Bros, El Xitxarel-Lo, Penedès, Catalonia, Spain, 2019
Fresh, lemony nose. Pleasant texture, mulberry and yellow apple fruit with richness in the mid-palate, but refreshed by the lively acidity, and creamy lees. Long...
2019
Virgili BrosPenedès
Bodegas Aquitania, Bernon, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Attractive and expressive nose with fennel seeds and salty sea air. Rich palate with generous peach, crab apple fruit and pear. Fruity and fresh finish.
2019
Bodegas AquitaniaRías Baixas
Juan Gil, Blanco, Jumilla, Spain, 2019
Fine floral Moscatel aromas. Lovely acidity jumps up out of the glass. Following by plump Muscat grape fruits. Lively youngster to enjoy in the sunshine....
2019
Juan Gil
Veiga da Princesa, Albariño, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2019
<p>Veiga da Princesa only produces wine from grapes grown in its own vineyards. The producer is located in the Rías Baixas sub-region Condado de Tea,...
2019
Veiga da PrincesaRías Baixas
Bodegas Valdemar, Conde Valdemar Tempranillo Blanco, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2019
Herbal and floral notes, vibrant lemon. A really attractive mineral, flinty palate with some perfumed fruits. Appealing sweetness on finish.
2019
Bodegas ValdemarRioja
La Val, Finca Arantei Albariño, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Stone fruit, aniseed and herbal notes. Quite rich and full bodied with some clotted cream aromas on the palate.
2019
La ValRías Baixas
Uvas Felices, El Jardín de Lucía, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Vivid zesty palate with tropical fruits including lychee, passionfruit, pineapple and a long and fresh minty finish.
2019
Uvas FelicesRías Baixas
Adegas Galegas, Godello, Monterrei, Galicia, Spain, 2018
Earthy, almost cheesy aromas. Fresh acidity with fresh gooseberry fruit. Succulent honeyed finish. Long, intense; carries its extra year of ageing well, gives more complexity.
2018
Adegas GalegasMonterrei
Arousana, Follas Novas Albariño, Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Fine salty savoury Albariño, with notes of seashells, sea salt and chalk. Backed up by lemon zest and creamy lees and a herbal finish.
2019
ArousanaRías Baixas
Care, Garnacha Blanca Nativa, Aragón, Spain, 2019
Floral. Fresh green apple, salty with a touch of white pepper on finish. Oak is a firm thread but adds structure and interest. Bright and...
2019
Care
Hammeken Cellars, Gotas De Mar, Ribeiro, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Very floral and perfumed nose. Fresh and mineral palate with notes of asparagus, grassy, limey flavours; textured with zippy acidity followed by a salty finish....
2019
Hammeken CellarsRibeiro
Bodegas Hiriart, Luna Blanco sobre lias, Castilla y León, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2018
Bright lemony nose. Palate is fresh and fruity with a lot of structure. Quite rich in quince and apple with a long fruity finish.
2018
Bodegas HiriartCastilla y León
Bodegas Naia, Naia, Rueda, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2018
Balanced fresh and fruity. Well structured palate with some yellow apple and quince followed by a warm spicy finish.
2018
Bodegas NaiaRueda
Bodegas Naia, Náiades, Rueda, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2016
Caramel, nutty, buttery oak on the nose. A peppery texture on the palate. Rich and creamy with a lime backbone and mineral. Fresh and flinty...
2016
Bodegas NaiaRueda
Pago de los Capellanes, O Luar do Sil, Valdeorras, Galicia, Spain, 2017
Nose of butterscotch and lemon. The palate is rich and weighty but balanced with fresh acidity and a savoury character. Gentle exotic spice and a...
2017
Pago de los CapellanesValdeorras
Pazo das Tapias, Ondas del Alma Godello, Monterrei, Galicia, Spain, 2019
Delicate floral notes on the nose followed by celery seed and crab apple notes. Lemony, bright acidity; straightforward and not so overly complex but fruity...
2019
Pazo das TapiasMonterrei
Raventos de Alella, Pansa Blanca, Catalonia, Spain, 2019
Perfumed nose of sweet orange blossom followed by a rich, succulent palate of roasted peach fruit, riper honeysuckle and apricot with fine minerality on the...
2019
Raventos de Alella
Bodegas Hermanos Peciña, Senorio de P. Pecina, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2018
Aromatic with honeysuckle, white roses. Fresh lemon and grapefruit pith combine with spicy, woody notes and cinnamon. A long, savoury finish.
2018
Bodegas Hermanos PeciñaRioja
Hermanos Lurton, Sobre Lias Verdejo, Rueda, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2019
Honey and jasmine on the nose. The palate is bursting with fresh citrus character, anis and red berries.
2019
Hermanos LurtonRueda
Bodega Gótica, Trascampanas Verdejo, Rueda, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2019
Pleasant white stone fruit and white flower notes. A fresh palate lifted by green tints and a sweet lemon curd finish. Well balanced.
2019
Bodega GóticaRueda
Bodegas Del Medievo, Tuercebotas Tempranillo Blanco, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2019
Very fleshy, fruity and juicy. Pump ripe palate, with honeyed golden fruits. A finely balanced wine with a fresh lemony and mineral finish.
2019
Bodegas Del MedievoRioja
Txomin Etxaniz, Txakoli, Txakolí, de Getaria, Northern Spain, Spain, 2019
Nose of grenadine and quince fruit, some mango peel, and apricot notes. Full of lemon and tangerine, with a creamy coating giving appealing richness. Very...
2019
Txomin EtxanizTxakolí
Mas Macià, Xarel-Lo, Catalonia, Spain, 2019
A subdued but elegant nose with delicate white floral notes. A more mineral wine with powdery and stoney texture. Attractive almond, lemon, and green apple...
2019
Mas Macià
MontRubí, White, Penedès, Catalonia, Spain, 2019
Lovely, bright ripe pear fruit on the nose. Quite a simple wine with attractive forest, herbal notes on the palate, saline with long mineral finish....
2019
MontRubíPenedès
