Bodegas y Vinedos Dos Victorias Verdejo Jose Pariente 2003
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The vineyard is in the village of La Seca in the province of Valladolid, which has the best climatic conditioned soils in the Rueda district. Although the climate is continental, with hot summers, the grapes are grown at altitudes of 500m above sea level, ensuring cool nights that protect the aromatic intensity of the grapes.
The grapes come from 6 hectares (13.2 acres) of 35 year old vines, owned by Pariente's family. One of the best white wine soils in Spain, with gravel and sand over a limestone bedrock.
The small bodega is equipped with all the latest technology. The particular challenge for producers working with the Verdejo grape is to protect this grape from oxidation. At Dos Victorias, a blanket of inert gas (nitrogen) is used in all the must handling, from the moment the juice is liberated until the wine is safely in the bottle. The grapes are gently crushed in pneumatic presses, cool maceration for 48 hours. The juice is then fermented under temperature controlled conditions (55– 60 F), and takes as long as 31 days. The wine is in contact with its lees for 20 days. Stabilization and light filtration occurs before bottling in February 2004.
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Captivating and full of character, Verdejo grows with great success in Rueda, Spain and virtually nowhere else in Europe. It has become so trendy in Spain since the turn of the century that plantings have also increased tremendously. Somm Secret—Contrary to what some may think, it is actually not related to the Portugese variety with a very similar name, Verdelho. In fact, DNA profiling suggests it may be a sibling of Godello, another native of NW Spain.
Rueda is located along the banks of the Duero River in Spain’s Castilla y León region, just a 2-hour drive north of Madrid. While winemaking in this area goes back to the 12th century, it was in the 1980s that the region was granted Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status. Today, more than 70 wineries call Rueda home. This national favorite is the top-selling white wine in Spain.
Notable facts Rueda’s main grape variety, Verdejo, gets it distinct complexity from stressful growing conditions and mineral-rich soil. Think of Verdejo as a fuller-bodied and more aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. A lush and smooth character with perfectly balanced acidity means Rueda wines pair well with seafood, fresh salads and spicy food, but are also great on their own.