Spain

Rueda

 

Rueda is a winegrowing area in Spain. It is located in Castile between the red wine areas Ribera del Duero and Toro and extends in the north to the Duero. Rueda is known for his white wine. The main grape variety is Verdejo with 5380 ha. In the D.O. The grapes are Verdejo, Viura (or Macabeo), Sauvignon Blanc and Palomino. In 2002, 150,300 hl of wine were produced, almost a fifth of which has already been exported.

The Rueda area has a long and varied history. When Valladolid was still the state capital, the wines from Rueda were in great demand among the aristocratic families living there. Due to the infestation with phylloxera, the vineyards were completely destroyed. During the reconstruction, the vintners were trying to plant profitable varieties, and the choice fell on the Palomino variety. The wines produced were of modest quality. The best results were achieved with sprayed wines in the sherry type. Internationally, these wines have never been considered.

The new historiography begins in the 1970s, when the well-known wine producer Marqués de Riscal (from Rioja) was looking for an area for the production of white wines with high quality requirements. The winery had long ago decided not to grow more white wines in Rioja because the desired quality could not be achieved there. The oysters of Riscal were in Rueda on the advice of the famous Émile Peynaud attention to the grape Verdejo and recognized the huge potential of this grape in modern wine growing. Thanks to new techniques such as the rapid transport of the grapes to the cellar and the pressing of the grapes under a protective gas cushion, the outstanding freshness of the must could be preserved. The success of the new type of wine has completely changed the face of the region. Within a short time, the grape variety was by far the most cultivated variety in Rueda.

The vineyards are located in a hilly landscape at an altitude of 600 to 800 meters. The better locations are generally closer to the Douro. The typical gravelly soils allow only low yields, but bring strong mineral notes in the wine.

As part of a new regulation of the term cava Rueda lost the right to grow this sparkling wine. There is therefore a new D.O. Rueda Espumoso, who produces sparkling wine from at least 85% Verdejo and thus goes a new way. Meanwhile, trials are also being made with red wines and rosé wines.