Refreshing Spanish Whites For The Summer

Pampano Inspiracion, Verdejo , Rueda, 2009

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Pago Del Vicario, Blanco de Tempranillo, Castilla La Mancha, 2010

These two wines have kept us, here at Schneider’s, very well refreshed over the hot summer and I wanted to take the opportunity to make sure no one else was missing out. The Pampano, which featured with great success in the Spanish mixed case Groupon, comes from Rueda, a sub region of Castilla Y Leon, just 110 miles north west of Madrid. Until the in 1970s the region was known for producing little more than a fortified wine similar to Sherry. This all changed when a few producers unearthed Verdejo, a native grape, and recognized the potential for dry white wine.

First of all Verdejo of Reuda is often confused with the Verdelho of Madeira and the Azores owing to the fact that the two look quite similar, however dna profiling has shown that they are distinct. The Pampano is a blend of Verdejo and Viura (Macabeo), a grape which also goes into the production of Cava. It is a gorgeous aromatic wine with herbaceous, mineral and tart fruit notes (expect crisp green apple and passion fruit). Light on the palate with a crisp, zippy finish.

Pago Del Vicario’s blanco de Tempranillo is an interesting wine in that it shares a similar characteristic to Champagne, it is a white wine made from red grapes or “Blanc de Noir”. The Tempranillo is grown on carefully selected plots at an elevation of 2000ft around the town of Ciudad Real in the heart of La Mancha. In order to make a white wine only the free run juice from the grapes are used before pressing.

The winery was established in 2000 by two brothers, Antonio and Ignacio Barco. Using the most modern equipment and vinification techniques, as well as sourcing grapes from their 300 acres of vineyards, they have carved out a niche for themselves as one of the regions pioneering winemakers.

Ripe melon, pear and passion fruit aromas lead onto the palate with a herbaceous and floral twist. It has a fruity core with good length with a mouthwatering acidity on the finish.

Both these wines make terrific summer aperitifs and at 12.5% alcohol are also ideal party quaffers that won’t put you or your guests under the table after a few glasses in the hot summer sun. They are also great alongside tapas and a variety of seafood dishes. Enjoy.