Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/551222
august 2015 / the tasting panel / 109 The Rueda D.O. was founded in 1980 and is now ranked as the top white wine region in the Spanish market. With exposure from the collaboration program, it's making inroads in the States now as well. Situated on a high plateau, Rueda's long cold winters, short springs and hot summers are suited to the region's dominant white Verdejo grape. High elevations and gravelly stone soils allow the Verdejo to develop deep aromas and flavors, resulting in dry, fresh wines that are food- friendly and accessible. The neighboring Ribera del Duero D.O. provides a benchmark for quality in the Spanish red wine category. With an extreme climate, Ribera del Duero wines represent some of the greatest expressions of Spain's most noble red grape: Tempranillo. The region's frigid winters and a rocky, rigid ter- rain produce Tempranillo grapes that develop a unique character, resulting in full-bodied yet articulate wines suitable for pairing with earthy foods. Their pairability makes these two regions ideal partners—whites and reds that, like most Spanish wines, are designed to be consumed with food. This night proved eye- opening in the quality-to-price value of these wines, as well as in their effortless ability to handle a wide range of flavors. The animated Gonzalez-Gordon, who is now based in New York and speaks fluent English, described the individual wines and commented on how well each paired with casual, flavorful cuisine at A.O.C. Even if you're not part of "Generation Open," these wines will open your eyes to new ways of drinking, especially when matched with food like this. For more info, visit www.RiberaRuedaWine.com. Javier Sanz 2014 Verdejo, Rueda ($14) Bright fruit and bracingly crisp with a juicy citrus finish. 88 O. Fournier 2010 Urban Ribera Tinta del País, Ribera del Duero ($14) Ripe and laden with vanilla and lovely cherry fruit; deep and generous. 91 Served with: marinated olives & marcona almonds, jamón ser- rano, lomo and two chorizos. José Pariente 2014 Varietal Verdejo, Rueda ($9) Precise and focused with vibrant mouthfeel and a racy finish. 90 Served with: charred carrots, beets, labneh, tahini and sesame seeds; romaine, tangelos, buttermilk and green harissa. Belondrade y Lurton 2013 Verdejo, Rueda ($26) Aromatic, complex and showing vanilla and soft oak; lush and long on the finish. 90 Served with wild red snapper, chickpeas, smoked tomato butter and parsley salad; farro and black rice with currants and pinenuts. Pago de los Capellanes 2013 Joven Roble, Ribera del Duero ($14) Cherry and black raspberry are foremost in this rich, delicious Tempranillo—a lovely wine. 92 Served with Spanish fried chicken with romesco aioli and chili- cumin butter cauliflower, curry and red vinegar. Lleiroso 2011 Crianza, Ribera del Duero ($23) Notes of earth and mineral play through the elegant cherry, blackberry and spice; long and lush on the finish. 93 Served with beef cheeks, fried potatoes, rapini, black olive chimichurri and scallion crema; soft polenta, wild mushrooms, mascarpone and Swiss chard. TASTING NOTES PHOTO: THINKSTOCK