In July 2024, I attended a trade/press wine tasting event in London, the first ever bringing together Rueda, Navarra and Toro wines from Northern Spain.
Rueda, northwest of Madrid, is the second most popular denomination of origin (DO) in terms of sales in Spain. It is renowned for its mainly white wines, particularly those made from the Verdejo grape. These wines are known for their aromatic profile, featuring notes of apple, tropical fruits, citrus and occasionally a hint of nuttiness.
Navarra, located in the north-east of Spain near Rioja, is a prominent wine region known for its diverse offerings. The region primarily produces wines from the Garnacha grape, which includes both white and red varieties. Additionally, Navarra also produces white wines made from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Red wines from this region also sometimes feature Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, showcasing a rich variety of flavours and styles.
Toro, located to the west of Rueda, is renowned for its predominantly red wines made from the Tinta de Toro grape, a variant of Tempranillo. These wines are deep-coloured, have pepper/clove-like nose and are typically full-bodied, having intense, dark fruit flavours such as blackberry and plum, often complemented by notes of chocolate and oak and characterised by strong tannins. They are rich and intense and are sometimes an acquired taste. However, as we shall see, there are variants that are very approachable. Toro also produces a small amount of Malvasia for white wines and sometimes incorporates a little Garnacha in red blends.
The tasting showcased 179 wines from 49 producers and I concentrated on wines that are already available in the UK. Most of these wines are distributed through independent stores or on-trade (hospitality) channels.
I tasted many great wines but these are those that particularly stood out for me:
Sanzo Viñas Viejas 2022 is a 100% Verdejo wine wine with a 12.5% ABV. It is a dry wine with a pretty label. It has a powerful aroma and the flavour is rich and intense but well-balanced, showcasing tropical fruits, perhaps pineapple, with a long finish. Additionally, the Rodríguez & Sanzo Bajo Velo Verdejo 2021, is the sister wine to the Sanzo Viñas Viejas. This 100% Verdejo wine undergoes oxidative aging. It presents an aroma of ripe fruits, dried fruits, and white flowers, with a complex flavour profile that includes mineral-saline notes and oak, making it even more intense. Both wines are available through on-trade, hospitality channels.
Diez Siglos Verdejo Organic 2023 is a 100% Verdejo wine with a 13.5% ABV. The bottle features a label depicting the landscape of the vineyard. This wine is delightfully intense with tropical, apricot and peach flavours. It is both vegan and organic, making it an excellent choice for those seeking eco-friendly and animal-friendly options. Around £10.99.
Finca Montepedroso 2023 is a 100% Verdejo wine with a 12% ABV. The name ‘Montepedroso’ translates to ‘Mountain of stones’, referring to the stony soils in the vineyard where the Verdejo grapes for this wine are grown. This wine is extremely aromatic, with notes of apricot, peach, and fennel. It is very fruity and silky, with a refreshing acidity. It is priced around £14.50.
Señorio de Sarria Rosado 2023 is a rosé wine with a 14% ABV, made from Garnacha grapes. It boasts a deep colour and an aroma of ripe berry fruits. On the palate, it’s special in that it offers a refreshing deep taste of cranberry fruit. Priced around £11.00.
Inurrieta Orchidea Sauvignon Blanc 2023 has a 13% ABV and is aged in barrels on lees. It has an intense aroma, with notes of apples and possibly vanilla. This wine stands out for its unique profile, offering more peachy fruit flavours rather than the typical tropical notes, combined with the complexity imparted by the lees aging. It is priced around £8.99.
Munia Especial 2020 is a 100% Tinta de Toro wine with a 15% ABV, made from selected grapes sourced from centuries-old vineyards. Only around 3500 bottles are produced annually. The wine spends 24 months aging in French barrels and has earned a 2023 Decanter Gold award. It has an aromatic profile featuring smoke and leather, with a taste that includes juicy black fruit, a good body and a smooth texture. The tannins are medium to full but well-integrated, and the producer has avoided the excessive tannic quality often found in Tinta de Toro wines. The wine finishes strong, and it was my favourite of the tasting, prompting me to return for a second taste. It is priced around £25.00.
Pata Negra Roble 2022 is a 14% ABV wine made from Tinta de Toro, but bottle-labelled as Tempranillo. It is designed as an entry-level Toro wine for those who might find traditional Tinta de Toro wines too intense. This wine stands out for its softer profile, with fewer tannins and notes of blackberries, making it more approachable. It is available for around £8 from Morrisons, offering good value.
Bodega La Ermita 2018 is a 100% Tinta de Toro wine with a 14.5% ABV, produced by the same winery that makes Pata Negra Roble. This wine is the full-bodied version of Pata Negra Roble. It offers an agreeable aroma of ripe black plum, figs, raisins and is less clove-like on the nose than most Tinta de Toro wines. It is priced around £40.
Díscolo El Magnifico 2019 is a 100% Tinta de Toro wine with a 15% ABV. It is highly rated, with a score of 4.6 on Vivino and has won many awards. The wine features a great aromatic profile with cranberry notes and tamed aromatics that are again less pepper/clove-like. Its taste has dark fruit flavours, sweet and balanced tannins and a rounded mouthfeel. This exceptional wine is priced around £95.
The event showcased a variety of great wines, offering a unique opportunity to explore the distinct characteristics of these Spanish wine regions.
