Region Of The Month: Rueda
With a history that stretches back at least to medieval times, Rueda is one of the most interesting wine regions out there. Located in Castilla y León and spanning across a little under 20,000 hectares, Rueda sits in a natural basin formed by the Duero River Valley. The area's flatter landscape, nestled between mountains, mean the region tends to have long, cold winters and hot, dry summers -- the perfect combination for bright, racy wines! Just in time for Vedejo Month, here's a closer look at this amazing region.
Rueda was a predominately red wine region, producing Tempranillo and Garnacha, until the mid-nineteenth century, when the phylloxera epidemic ravaged the world's vineyards, forcing the area's winemakers to pivot to white wines.
Until 1970, Rueda was best known for Palomino Fino grapes, which are used to make sherry in Jerez. However, as global drinking tastes changed, local producers started investing in Verdejo, a zesty white varietal with roots in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Today, Verdejo is Rueda's flagship grape, comprising at least 85% of Rueda's wine proeduction.Other white wine varietals found in Rueda DO are Sauvignon Blanc, Viura, Palomino Fino, Viognier, while the red wines are made from Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.
