Winemaker Notes
This is a dry, refreshing table wine with remarkable minerality and ability to develop in bottle; in fact, it needs extensive bottle age before it is released. Grüner veltliner comparisons come to mind, with a similarly rich yet acid-driven mouthfeel and a white flower, orange zest, and white pepper flavor profile.
There are hundreds of white grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles.
Sierras de Málaga, established as a DO in 2001, is located in the south of Spain, in Andalucía. Interestingly, the vines in this region are planted on slopes reaching up to 3,280 ft in elevation, primarily in the non-coastal subzones such as Axarquía, Montes de Málaga, Norte and the Sierra de Ronda, although moisture coming from the Mediterranean still reaches the vines.
In this region, a wide range of grapes may be used for the production of white, rosé, and red wines. Young and inquisitive winemakers are producing more compelling wines from local grapes like Romé and Tintilla de Rota, while at the same time offering their interpretation of international grapes like Riesling, Viognier, and Pinot Noir.
Today, the Sierras de Málaga DO is enjoying a slight revival as its dessert wines are being rediscovered.