Spanish whites

It would be impossible to feature even a fraction of the truly amazing white wines that come from Spain, so here we’ll look at couple to give you a taster of what can be. For us, our favourite place in Spain that makes great white wine is Rueda. Geography wise the region is centred around the town of Rueda, in the province of Valladolid about 170 km northwest of Madrid, so in the North and quite close to the Northern tip of Portugal.

There is a spot of coastal climate and cultural influence here and seafood features strongly in the cuisine. First up we have the José Pariente – Sauvignon Blanc 2013, 13% Abv, £14.25 for 750ml… While showing off similar citrus fruit flavours to wines from Marlborough, New Zealand, in an equally dynamic, but different style, this aromatic gem is the pinnacle of sunshine drinking.

There’s a really refreshing zip to this wine and it’s complex fruit characteristics are underpinned by notes of freshly cut green pepper and garden herbs, plus a slightly grassy element too. It’s natural habitat for consumption has to be the garden of an evening, but it is equally suited to salads and seafood should you wish to dine with it…. And then we have the Badajo – Verdejo 2013, 12.5% Abv, £9.95 for 750ml… You may ask, what on Earth, Wit and Style is “Verdejo”? In short, it is the grape known as “The Tapas White Of Spain”. It’s really easy to see why. Although a shade bolder than Sauvignon Blanc in style, it comes across here as being just as fresh and crisp. No cumbersome Chardonnay styling at all.

If you imagine cutting up a wide plethora of yellow fruit with your trusty Global utility knife, then you are close to the zesty fruit sensations of this white. Then to complete the profile, you need to add the notion of some earthen herbs and roots, in particular, fennel and you’ve got a good idea of the flavours on show. This wine absolutely sings along side your own, homemade Paella, but also works as a dainty aparitif… “Disfrutar!”

 Available at Ake & Humphris, Elizabeth Court, Collingham