Think of the best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc you have ever had: explosive guava, passion fruit, grapefruit and mango aromas; clean with a cheerful brightness on the palate, as refreshing as chilled mineral water.
Now, take those tastes and add some white peachy richness to the palate followed with a lingering, full finish that tones down Sauvignon Blanc’s acidity.
Sounds great, doesn’t it? It’s a wine from Rueda, Spain. Specifically Sitios de Bodega’s white wine blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo and Vura named “Con Class”.
You probably haven’t heard of it before. Why not, you ask?
Rancio.
Rancio: the once deeply cherished style of making white wine in Spain whereby it was purposefully oxidized, giving it a sherry-like “rancio” richness. To translate directly: rancid. Lovely, right?
Don’t stop reading just because I wrote rancid – Con Class is not rancio wine (let alone rancid!). But Rueda’s particular history of wine making explains why this wine is so cheap, especially relative to what is in the bottle.
Shockingly, once Spain joined the European Union and wine exports picked up it didn’t take Spaniards very long to figure out that rancio wines are an acquired taste. But, the raw ingredients for great white wine are all in Rueda, Spain: very old vines (King Alfonso was a fan in the 11th century); chalky alluvial soils; great drainage to the Duero River; and enough warmth via its continental climate.
Although they are sixth generation Ruedians, Ricardo Sanz, along with his brother and sister at Sitios de Bodega, put two and two together – their great vineyards plus modern, non-rancio wine-making skills – in order to make great wine. And it is everything your favorite Sauvignon Blanc does and more.
This is an incredible blend: Sauvignon Blanc contributes those powerfully expressive aromas of over ripe passion fruit, pineapple and freshly cut star fruit. The Verdejo amplifies these flavors, making them rounder, weightier and smoother. It’s amazing that more New Zealand producers don’t try to copy this effect. Finally, the Vura brings a freshness and liveliness to the wine, a light touch that makes you want to drink more (and more and more!).
Some people don’t drink wine “this cheap”. Yet the past history, current innovation, and frankly just plain deliciousness of Sitios de Bodega’s Con Class proves them wrong. This is tasty wine.
2011 Sitios de Bodega “Con Class”
Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo & Vura white wine blend
Please contact us for pricing:
414-289-9463 or sommelier@waterfordwine.com
