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Made in MN: Three Great Minnesota Wine Brands
When you think of where wine comes from, where is the place that comes to mind? Mabe Italy, France, Spain, or...
Ribera y Rueda,
Spain’s most prestigious red and white wine regions
Ribera del Duero (reds):
Ribera del Duero, home to a very distinctive style of Tempranillo called “Tinto Fino”, has raised the region’s wines to international prominence. Over a third of the vines are over 45 years old, leading to complex wines with balanced acidity, dark fruit and sturdy structure. Today, more than 300 wineries call Ribera home, including some of Spain’s most iconic names. Because of that, the bar is high to create exceptional wines with equally exceptional value. Ribera del Duero wines can go head-to-head at a fraction of the price compared to other super-premium wines from world-renowned regions like Napa, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Piedmont. If you're interested in getting a bottle of Ribera del Duero but are unsure what to look for, we can help! Here are three of our favorite Riberas (reds) you should get your hands on:
Emilio Moro Resalso
Visual: Cherry red color and with violet edge
On the Nose: Intense, expressive and fresh
Taste: Balanced, with a persistent but mature tannin, good acidity and pleasant mid-palate, long aftertaste and pleasant memory.
Viridiana Ribera Del Duero
Visual: Vivid, floral red
On the Nose: Forest fruits interwoven with spicy notes
Taste: Red fruits with a light, fresh finish
Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero
Visual: Intense color with a bluish rim and a cherry-red core
On the Nose: Powerful concentration of fruit
Taste: Oak, vanilla, and tobacco
Rueda (white):
Rueda and its signature grape, Verdejo, is all about agriculture. World-class winemakers moved in the 70’s to make the world’s next great white featuring a grape with tremendous potential. Rueda is one of Spain's best-kept secrets - but not for long. It’s no surprise that Verdejo is Spain’s number one-selling white wine. The grape’s many forms of expression – sparkling, clean, crisp, young, aged, oak, unoaked – means it takes what the winemaker intends the wine drinker to experience. It also means that a glass of Verdejo will go with pretty much any type of tapa or other food. Explore a few of our favorites!
Las Brisas Rueda
Visual: Straw yellow
On the Nose: White fruit, notes of lime and pineapple
Taste: Fresh, elegant, well-balanced Viura and Sauvignon
Naia Verdejo
Visual: Straw yellow with greenish reflections
On the Nose: Aromas of apricot
Taste: Crisp and zesty with lemon and orange flavors
K-Naia
Visual: Pale yellow with bright green hues
On the Nose: Fruity aromas with hints of floral
Taste: Rich and fruity on the pallet. Well balanced with a fresh finish