The fortified wines from DO Rueda are one of Spain’s best kept secrets, hiding in plain sight. Although fortified production in the region has a long history, well documented as far back as the 17th century, it was abandoned by most producers when, in the 1970s, Rueda placed its focus (and investment) in mechanisation and white wine production.
In recent decades, a rediscovery of the region’s heritage and identity has brought renewed interested to the idiosyncratic Dorado (aged oxidatively, at least two years in barrel) and Pálido (aged biologically, at least three years in barrel prior to release) wines produced from Palomino and/or Verdejo.
The category was granted its DO stamp in 2024 (the fortified designation was, until then, reserved for wines from Jerez), a crucial step to revive an exquisite bit of viticultural heritage that yields wines of incredible complexity and vividness. Wineries – like De Alberto – with uninterrupted fortified production stand out as custodians of a singular piece of history.
Fortified production, while still very small-scale, is gaining momentum and the quality of the wines already available is truly exceptional. I challenge more producers to join the fortified movement!
Top-scoring fortifieds to try:
De Alberto, VORR NV
Seeking UK distributor.
98pts
A wine that dances on the palate with playfulness and energy, delivering its complexity and intensity with confidence and ease. Pure, vibrant flavours: apricot, blood orange, pickled walnuts and dried fig cloaked in tobacco, cherry leaves and Oolong; unctuous caramel and sweet coffee in the background. Refreshing fragrant mint and thyme. Endless, earthy finish. Alc 21%
De Alberto, Dorado NV
96pts
Delicious, combining complexity and depth with playful energy and verve. Smoky, herbal edge to the apricot, red apple and membrillo at the core. Caramel, mocha, blood orange zest and dripping lemon curd add further nuance and depth. In the background, Earl Grey, cocoa and fig leaf mingle with mushrooms and wet soil. Long, moreish finish. Alc 17.5%
De Alberto, Pálido NV
95pts
Such beautiful nuttiness – pickled walnuts, salted Marcona almonds – leading this vivid and moreish wine that invites food to the table. Olive brine, apple pie, shiitake mushrooms and medium-cured Comté fill the palate under a thin glaze of salted caramel. Beautiful, rustic earthiness with an appetising touch of wet soil. Alc 15%
Bodegas Félix Lorenzo Cachazo, Carrasviñas Dorado NV
Seeking UK distributor.
95pts
Broody, playful nose of tobacco, potpourri, camphor and dried figs. Seductive earthiness on the palate, weaving caramel, apricot, loquat and Turkish delight with mocha and milk chocolate. Long umami f inish, with lingering shiitake and chanterelle mushrooms. Alc 15%
José Pariente, 25 Años de Crianza en Barrica NV
95pts
Filigree nose, at once gentle and broody, with peach, apricot and dried apple peel mingling playfully. Earthy and smoky depth on the palate layering tobacco, cherry leaves and dried apricot. Moreish unctuosity on the mid palate. Gentle dusty flintiness adding an elegant, long, textural tail. Alc 17%
Cuatro Rayas, 61 Dorado en Rama NV
94pts
Seductive aromas of pickled walnuts, red apple peel, crunchy pear, potpourri and camphor. Pure, deep and complex palate, layering walnut, mushroom, wet soil, wet tobacco leaves, Earl Grey, roasted coffee and salted caramel. Lingering tobacco and dried apricot. Alc 17%
De Alberto, Dorado Dulce NV
94pts
A nuanced wine, with very accomplished integration of alcohol and sugar, both adding to the whole feeling of layered complexity. Dried apricot, loquat, candied orange and dried mango are coated in coffee liquer, milk chocolate and wet tobacco leaves. Distinct, juicy note of poached Maraschino cherries on the finish. Alc 17.5%
Tasting was carried at the Rueda Consejo Regulador headquarters in Rueda in March 2026 by Ines Salpico (Decanter Regional Editor for Spain, Portugal and South America). While the costs were kindly underwritten by the DO Rueda (dorueda.com), all of the content produced for this guide remains independent.
Discover more about DO Rueda: dorueda.com
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Discover more from the Rueda report 2026:
Rueda report 2026: An introduction to the region's landscape and vines
Rueda report 2026: Verdejo's essence
Rueda report 2026: Sauvignon Blanc
