| Rioja white wines have been allowed to add international grapes, Victor Pascual, President of the Rioja Regulatory Council informed Subhash Arora , President Indian Wine Academy at MadridFusion 2007 at the Rioja wine tasting.
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo, Tempranillo Blanco , Maturana Blanca and Turruntes Riojano grapes can now be added to the existing native varietals, Viura (Macabeo), White Grenache (Garnacha Blanco) and Malvasia. A maximum of 50% of the new grapes allowed can be used in the blend which must still have a minimum of 50% Viura, the staple white variety. This is the first time in the last 25 years that such change has been allowed by the strict Regulatory Council.
Explaining the logic, Victor Aguiran San Vincente, the Director of Marketing and Communications added, 'There had been pressure from the growers for a long time to allow interesting grapes in the blend to improve the quality of our whites and make them more competitive. The change was on the cards for two years. Finally, the council announced the change last Friday on 12 th January.'
Rioja red wines have been the star Spanish wines for over a hundred years. But the white wines have been rather dull and boring, despite the claims and efforts of many producers.
There is not much change in the red varieties, namely, Tempranillo, Grenache, Graciano and Manzuelo. Addition of Maturana Tinta , Maturano and Monastel will be possible.
(Many growers have privately admitted to me the addition of a small quantity of Cabernet Sauvignon for better structure during my visits to various vineyards and tastings in Rioja-editor)
'The change is not going to affect most growers of fine red wines,' commented my neighbour, Sarah Fernandez Bengoa, at the tasting of Rioja wines at Madrid Fusion last week. Sarah is the export manager for Bodega Roda, a new wave winery in Rioja, which is soon planning to enter India . 'Our Cirsion label was the only Spanish wine selected in the above € 100 category by Forbes in March 2006. Cirsion 2004 has been selected as the best Red Oak aged wine in Spain by Vivir el Vino wine magazine in January 2007.'
Due to the red-wine grape friendly Terroir and very expensive land prices, about 92% of Riojan grapes grown are red.
For details of Riojan wines, visit www.riojawine.com |
