Why We Love Wines of Rueda, Spain

In Rueda, in Spain’s Castilla y Leon region, northwest of Madrid, you'll find fresh, crisp white wines, perfect on hot summer days. Relatively ignored until now, these wines are finally getting their day in th sun. 

Though grapes have grown in the Spanish region since the 11th century, Rueda achieved Denominacion de Origen status for its wines in 1980, a few years after Rioja’s Marques di Riscal winery made a significant investment in vineyards and built a separate facility for the production of white wines.

Since then, other wineries from Rioja and Ribera del Duero (that previously focused on red wines) have followed suit and today there are many familiar names among the wines of the city. The predominant grape is Verdejo, sometimes blended with small amounts of Viura or Sauvignon Blanc and it pairs wonderfully with seafood paella or fried calamaritos. (Though you'll find that the citrus and herbal notes also go well with fresh vegetable dishes and salads.) 

So when the days get longer and the temperature soars, reach for one of these cool white wines. Here our picks for what to drink this summer. 

Palacio de Bornos Verdejo 2013 (left) is straw colored with green touches. It has delightful aromas of Clementine, tangerine, lemon pith, and savory herbs. It's full bodied on the palate with fruit flavors accented by a hint of fennel bulb. The finish is crisp with a nice level of minerality. $13

Oro de Castilla Verdejo 2013 Made from 100% Verdejo, this has fresh flavors of just cut grass and citrus. It's very bright in the mouth and shot through with a vein of minerality. $15

Next, more top wine picks… [pagebreak]

Bodega Emina Rueda 2012 (left) is made with 90% Verdejo and 10% Viura. It is brilliant yellow with aromas of tropical fruits, fennel, and white peach. A medium bodied wine, it has a pleasant tanginess on the finish.  $11

Marques di Riscal Rueda Verdejo 2013 has flavors of tropical fruits, grapefruit and fresh herbs, with a hearty dose of minerality. It's crisp and clean with a refreshing finish. $11

Finca Montepedroso Rueda Verdejo 2013 is bright yellow with green reflections and aromas of lychee, grapefruit, and green apple. In the mouth, flavors of anise and green almond are predominant in this lively wine. Pair with fresh seafood and white fish. It’s great with pork too. $18

Transcampanas Rueda Verdejo 2012 is soft on the palate, with flavors of citrus, herbal tea, and a touch of green grass. It's creamy with intense minerality and refreshing acidity. $10 

Torres Verdeo Verdejo 2012 (right) is brilliant yellow with green tints, offering flavors of tropical fruits and a touch of anise. It's elegant in the mouth with a lingering finish. $11

Bodegas Angel Rodriguez Martinsancho Verdejo 2012 offers a clean palate of white flowers, lemon-lime, and tropical fruits with a pleasantly acidic finish. $16

Grupo Yllera Verdejo 2013 is 100% Verdejo that is harvested at night in order to keep the grapes cool prior to the winemaking process. It's a bright straw color with a touch of green at the edge. Expect bold flavors of grapefruit, lychee, green apple, and fennel. Perfect with ceviche. $11