Rueda is a DO wine region in northern Spain.
Rueda is a DO (Denominación de Origen) wine region in the northern part of Spain. Its wines are known for their delicate, crisp, and dry taste. They are usually light-bodied, with aromatic notes of lime and lemon citrus making them a nice accompaniment to light fish dishes or as an aperitif.
The region’s capital is Valladolid, which is also home to its main appellation – Rueda DO – that encompasses some 50 municipalities spread over more than 100 miles north-west of Madrid. The appellation takes its name from the Rueda plain where the vineyards are planted on sandy soils that formed from the banks of the Duero River in earlier times. The main grape varieties used are Verdejo and Viura.
The climate there is continental with cold winters reaching temperatures below freezing and hot summers with average temperatures between 24°C (75°F) to 30°C (86°F) degrees during July and August. In general, summer rainfall occurs sporadically with most precipitation falling during spring and autumn when it can be frequent.
The region’s capital is Valladolid, which has been an important market town since the 11th century.
The region’s capital is Valladolid, which has been an important market town since the 11th century. It was also the court of the Spanish monarchy for a couple of centuries during the 1500s and 1600s, when it was one of Europe’s largest cities. Today it remains the largest city in the Castile and Leon region, with a population of around 330,000. It’s located on the River Pisuerga and has long been known as a trading center for foodstuffs from all over Spain.
The indigenous grape variety is Verdejo.
The grape variety is a major influence on the taste of the finished wine. The Verdejo grape is grown in this region but not exclusively to it—it’s also grown in other parts of the world, such as South Africa and Australia. The Verdejo grape is also used for making vermouth, another fortified white wine that you can use to make a creative variation on the Martini cocktail.
Rueda is a crianza white wine made with Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc (the later isn’t indigenous).
The Rueda is a crianza white wine made with Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc (the later isn’t indigenous). It’s dry, pale yellow color has hints of green, and is transparent underneath the rim. The aroma is fruity and floral, with citrus notes (like grapefruit) and hints of tropical fruits like pineapple. It also smells a little like nuts, like walnuts or almonds.
Crianza is a term for a wine that has been aged for a minimum of 2 years, and has been aged for at least 6 months in oak barrels.
Rueda wines are made from the Verdejo grape and to a lesser extent Sauvignon Blanc
A Rueda wine is produced mainly with Verdejo, which is a white Spanish grape variety primarily grown in the Rueda region.
Verdejo wines are loved by many for their freshness, fruitiness and minerality. They can be made in a variety of styles from very dry to semi-sweet and sparkling.
Rueda reds are also made with 100% Verdejo, but this time using the red version of the grape. No surprise here, these wines are characterized by their ruby color, berry notes and medium acidity levels.