A chameleon of white wines, with a foot on both sides of the river
White Ree-och-ah
White
Official Name
White Rioja or Rioja Blanco is another one of those wines which is making a bit of a comeback. It has two faces, and is on the same side of the line to Chenin Blanc for that reason. On one hand it can be fresh and crisp, made for light food, or easy drinking. On the other it can be barrel aged, sometimes for a really long time, and take on a much richer and more savoury flavour. The lighter style is often made with the traditional grape Viura and some Sauvignon Blanc, the richer style is more likely to just be Viura. The richer style is also a great food wine.The wines can only come from the Rioja area, like its red relation.
Things you should know
Top Tip: Look out for an old vintage of a good white rioja (ask your local merchant), they are quite unusual but worth a try.
Specific Food Match: The lighter side of White Rioja is all about fresh flavours, like many of the wines on this line, but the richer styles can pair with roasted white meats, caramelised scallops and other umami foods.