A refreshing glass of chilled white wine is a must on a hot summer day, but don't fall into a rut. If you need a break from Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, white wines from Rioja will definitely perk up your tastebuds. Located in north central Spain, Rioja is considered Spain's premier winemaking region. Rioja's red wines have quite a reputation for excellence but their whites are pretty delicious too. Here are two white wines from Rioja that will pair beautifully with summer days and meals. Salud!
Bodegas Dinastía Vivanco Blanco 2011
($12)
A blend of Viura and Malvasia grapes, this perky white wine has an earthy aroma with hints of grass, green apples, and pear. Balanced by a subtle minerality, this is a great match with salads and fresh seafood.
Inspiración Valdemar Tempranillo Blanco 2011
Bodegas Valdemar ($20)
For something truly special, give this unique White Tempranillo a whirl. If you've had red wine from Spain, you were probably sipping Tempranillo but the white incarnation of this variety is far less common. Aged one year in French oak, this wine has luscious aromas of honey, lemon, and pineapple. It is well-rounded with an appealing acidity. A great match with more complex seafood dishes.
To learn even more about the wines of Rioja, visit the Vibrant Rioja website and pick up a copy of Ana Fabiano's beautiful hardcover book The Wine Region of Rioja. If you're planning a trip to Spain, the Rioja region is ideally located about one hour from Bilbao (home of the Frank Gehry designed Guggenheim Museum) and also one hour from the foodie mecca of San Sebastian.
