Muga Rioja Blanco (2011)

When one thinks of Rioja wine, thoughts usually turn to red wine, tinto.  The reason may lie with the fact that 85% of the grapes cultivated in the La Rioja, the denominación de origen calificada, are red grapes (Tempranillo primarily, but also Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, and Mazuelo).  This obviously leads to an abundance of Rioja tinto wines.

Yet, winemakers in La Rioja also make other wines, such as a blanco, which is made with the Viura grape, also known as Macabeo.  This grape is grown throughout La Rioja, as well as in Catalunya and Languedoc-Roussillon.  The Viura or Macabeo grape produces young, acidic wines.  However, winemakers often use the grape in blends, such as blending it with Xarel-lo and Parellada grapes to produce Cava.  The Viura grape can also be blended with some Malvasia and/or Garnacha Blanco grapes to produce the Rioja Blanco.

For the longest time, I have been wanting to buy and try a Rioja Blanco made by Muga.  I previously tried a Rioja Rose (or rosado) when I was pairing Spanish wines for a four course Spanish meal.  The rose wine was very good and, during my research, I only read good things about Muga wines.  So, I recently bought a bottle of Rioja Blanco to serve with a dinner that I made for my parents. 

Muga produces its Rioja Blanco with a blend of 90% Viura (Macabeo) and 10% Malvasia grapes.  The grapes are picked from vines that grow in clay and alluvial soils.  The winemaker's process results in half of the picked grapes being excluded from the wine process.  The wine is barrel fermented for three months on its lees (yeast), and then bottled.

The Rioja Blanca wine is a very pale yellow in color.  Given its youth, the wine is very aromatic, with scents of apples and a little pear or peach.  The winemaker describes this wine as having aromas of pineapple and peaches in syrup or honey.  Other reviewers described aromatic elements such as vanilla, almond, wild herbs and "buttery brioche."  Perhaps my olfactory senses are not well developed, but I could see the peaches and had a more difficult time sensing the other aromas.  As for the palette, the wine definitely had the taste of ripe apples, along with some pear and perhaps a little herb de provence in the background.  Those other reviewers found pineapple and guava, and perhaps a little spice from the barrel aging.  I could sense the fact that this wine was barrel aged, because it was a little smoother than I would have expected for a wine that is described as young and ready to be consumed now.

As I mentioned above, I bought this wine to pair with a meal that I made for my parents.  The meal began with Ensalada Murciana con Queso Murcia al Vino or Drunken Goat Cheese and Tomato Salad.  The wine went very well with the tomatoes and cheese.  The main course was Cordero Asado con Patatos, or Roast Rack of Lamb with Potatoes.  The Rioja Blanco actually went very well with the roast lamb and complemented the herbs used with the potatoes.  

I found this wine at a local grocery store where it sells for $16.99 a bottle.  

ENJOY!

Barbi Orvieto Classico (2010)

The one wine that best exemplifies Umbria is Orvieto, which is produced from grapes grown around the southern Umbrian commune that shares the same name.  Winemaking in Umbria dates back to the Etruscans, long before the Roman Empire.  They dug out cellars in the ground where the wine could age in cool conditions throughout the year.  From the Middle Ages until very recently, Umbria was known for sweet wines.  However, in recent years, the popularity of wines such as the Orvieto have helped to put the Italian region on the map. Indeed, the Orvieto region has its own DOC, which is devoted exclusively to white wine. 

Historically, Orvieto was one of those sweet wines.  Today, it is produced in a couple of different styles.  Normally, Orvieto wines are dry white wines.   Some vineyards produce an Abbocato, or semi-sweet wine or a Dolce, which is the sweet version.  Orvieto wines are produced with Grechetto and Trebbiano grapes, as well as a few other varietals.  The Barbi Orvieto Classico, which is produced in the Abbocato style, is made from a blend of 45% Trebbiano Toscano, 30% Grechetto, 15% Verdello and 10% Drupeggio and Malvasia.

The Barbi Orvieto Classico pours light gold in color, with little bubbles that form along the bottom of the glass.  Those bubbles suggest an effervescence that is a little deceptive, given the wine does not have any carbonation.  The aromatic elements of the wine suggest floral notes and melon.  The semi-sweet nature of the wine does show through in the aroma, even hinting at a little sugar.

As for the taste, this wine is heavily emphasizes citrus, especially grapefruit.  The Abbocato nature of the wine is clearly evident, with a medium body wrapped with a little sweetness balancing the citrus of the flavor.  The sweetness gives way to a dryness in the finish. 

The semi-sweet nature of the Orvieto Classico makes the wine a good pairing with dishes that have some heat, whether by chiles or other spices, as well as for seafood dishes.  I think this wine could also work well with white meat, such as grilled chicken or grilled  pork.  This wine could also lighten up vegetable and bean dishes, such as an Umbrian style lentil dish.

I found this wine at a local grocery store.  It sells for about $11.00 per bottle.

ENJOY!