Bodegas Zinio Rioja Street Art Tempranillo Blanco

Created in 1986 ZINIO Bodegas was established as a cooperative by 200 viticulturalists who made their land available to the winery.

Positioned in the heart of the Rioja Alta , in the Najerilla valley; the vineyard is surrounded by mountains both to the north by Sierra Cantabria and to the south by Sierra de la Demanda. In addition, the Ebro river to the north and its tributaries the Najerilla river to the west and the Yalde to the south; that exert a strong influence on the character of our vineyards, which extends to over 450 hectares around the winery.

The winemaking team is lead by Maria Martinez, and over 80% of the workforce are women. Their core belief is that wine is made in the vineyard, and this belief drives everything they do.

Tempranillo Blanco,

Grapes were grown at an altitude of 665m on calcareous clay soils.

Low temperatures during spring, delayed budding. Very dry and hot summer, with moderate water stress. Precipitation in the month of September, increased grape quality. Staggered harvest, without incident, at optimal grape health.

Destemmed grapes and maceration at low temperature for 6 hours. Gentle pressing and fermentation at a controlled temperature. It rests on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks and in barrels of different types of wood, mainly French oak, American and acacia, while it is aged for 8 months, elegantly respecting the base wine, providing fullness and structure in the mouth . Fined using pea protein.

Golden yellow, clean and bright. Aromas typical of its aging in barrique . White flowers, citrus fruits, aromatic notes of mixed fruit salad and fine toasted notes of French oak and acacia wood appear. Aromas of orange blossom, white pears, golden apples and freshly
baked brioche. Reminiscences of pear fruit in syrup, apple and citrus. Its good acidity combines with its aromatic expression to once again attract attention in its aftertaste, this acidity gives it length and a very long finish that makes its creaminess surprise on the palate.

If it swims and has a shell, pair it with this beautiful wine!

Nolan - Text from the Spotlight on Tempranillo Blog

Before we leave Spain, we have a quick backtrack to Rioja, to look at a white wine made with 100% Tempranillo. White wines can be produced from any coloured grape, there has been a fashion recently for “white malbec” wines. The trick for making white wine from red grapes is to gently press the grapes and remove the juice from any skin contact straight away. The wines will have lower acidity than a standard white wine and may even have some flavours such as yellow plum, raspberry and strawberry, more associated with a red or rose wine. This wine however, is produced with the white skinned â€œTempranillo Blanco” a modern, natural mutation of Tempranillo. Grapes with this genetic mutation were first noted popping up in vineyards in the 1980’s, with cuttings being taken and cultivated due to the quality of the wines produced.

This is my favourite white Rioja that we stock, unfortunately it is also very small production! Let me tell you why it's so good. Set in Rioja Alta at an altitude of 665m above sea level, this is the perfect location for growing expressive, flavourful white grapes that still have the essential acidity needed to keep the wines refreshing and interesting. Head wine maker, Maria Martinez, has produced a masterclass in aging and blending with this wine. First fermented in temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks, the wine is then transferred to age for 8 months in casks made from 3 different wood types; Quercus Alba, (American Oak), Quercus Robur, (French Oak), and also more interestingly Acacia Dealbata. These casks made from acacia wood produce some lovely flavour characteristics that are indeed reminiscent of acacia honey.

Refreshing acidity paired with the richness of the wine makes this the ultimate paella accompaniment. Zippy enough to match the prawns, powerful enough not to be overpowered by chicken, saffron, chorizo or paprika, marvellous.