2021 Marqués de Riscal Sauvignon Blanc, Castilla y Leon, Spain

ABOUT THIS WINE

Marqués de Riscal Sauvignon Blanc is a white wine from D.O. Rueda produced by the Marqués de Riscal winery. This wine is a French varietal Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes come from vineyards, whose average age is over 25, in part of the 70 acres owned by the winery.

After the harvest, this wine goes through a period of cold maceration. Subsequently, the juice is extracted and clarified and a slow fermentation with the intention of preserving the aromas of the grapes is carried out. This process is performed between 13º and 15º. The wine is aged in contact with its lees before being bottled.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

To say this winery has a rich history is an understatement. Marques de Riscal has been an innovator in the wine industry for over 160 years.

In 1858, Guillermo Hurtado de Amézaga, inherited several vines and wineries from his sister. He then proceeded to found his soon to be world renowned winery Marques de Riscal, and this winery has gone from strength to strength over the years.

Guillermo had previously spent years in Bordeaux around the time of the Carlist wars in Spain, and here he observed how they made their wines. He was not only inspired by their wine making, but the architecture. He collaborated with a Lograno Architect to design the property in the style of the estates he had seen in Bordeaux. The vision was to make the winery reminiscent of A French Chateau, and they certainly achieved this.

He also brought in a wine maker from Château Lanessan, Jean Pineau, to oversee winemaking. Continuing to take inspiration from the Bordeaux region, Guillermo insisted on selling his wines in bottle’s. This was unique as it was the first winery in Rioja to sell in bottles rather than in barrels. He was truly a pioneer of his time as the first person to bring the viticulture from the most famous red wine district in the world, Medoc to Rioja.