Rueda
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Bruñal (Alfrocheiro)Albarín Tinto (Alfrocheiro)Cabernet FrancSauvignonCenicientaChardonnayGarnacha BlancaGarnacha TintaGewürztraminer (Gewuerztraminer)Macabeo (Viura)MerlotMoscatel De Alejandría (Muscat Of Alexandria)Moscatel De Grano Menudo (Muscat A Petits Grains Blancs)Palomino FinoRiesling (Riesling Weiss)Sauvignon BlancSyrahTempranilloVerdejoViognier
Terroir
Natural factors
- Mediterranean-continental climate: cold, long winters with late frosts, and hot, dry summers.
- Gravelly or stony soils that limit evapotranspiration and maximise sun exposure.
- The zone sits between 700 and 800 metres above sea level, with flat but elevated terrain. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Human factors
- Generous wines produced in underground cellars and aged in large casks through oxidative ageing: the last vestige of traditional winemaking.
- The Verdejo variety, possibly introduced by Mozarabs in the 11th century, defines the white wines through its acidity, aromatic profile, and palate presence.
Product characteristics
- Verdejo whites: acidity, palate presence, and aromatic profile; reds: aromatic, balanced, and well-structured.
- Oxidatively aged wines produced in underground cellars and aged in large casks: the last vestige of local tradition.
Terroir / wine link
- Gravelly soils prevent evapotranspiration and maximise sun exposure, imparting acidity, palate presence, and an aromatic profile to Verdejo.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the the specification.
Sources
- National pliego de condiciones (PDF)
- eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-ES-A0889
- Official trade body site — D.O. Rueda