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Mid-Price
Import
White Wines
About This Wine
Imagine how good a wine would be if only the highest-quality grapes were used to craft it.
That’s the approach taken at Bodegas Muga, located in Spain’s Rioja region. In crafting its “Blanco” bottling — a Viura-based blend that includes a splash of Malvasia Bianca — only the top 50% of the grapes make the cut.
Here’s how the process works: Once the grapes are hand-harvested at their peak of ripeness, they’re brought to the winery and placed on sorting tables. At that point, any grapes that are not up to Muga standards are eliminated. A second evaluation takes place once the grapes have been crushed and a significant portion of the musts goes away.
Only then does the winemaking process move forward, and that’s what accounts for the elegant style of the Muga “Blanco.” Aging for four months in French oak barrels lends another layer of complexity, resulting in a wine that’s truly a delight to drink.
About White Blend
More About White BlendTasting Notes
Download/Print- Grape Composition:90% Viura and 10% Malvasia Bianca
- Grape Source:Spain’s Rioja Region
- Aromas & Flavors:Honeysuckle, Citrus Oil, White Currant and Flowers
- Aging Vessels:French Oak Barrels for 4 Months
- When to Drink:Now Through 2015
- Food Pairing Suggestionlightly seasoned chicken dishes.
Expert Ratings
Medium ruby-red. Aromas of cassis, licorice and dried herbs accented by a peppery element. Moderately sweet and nicely creamy in the mouth, with a saline complexity to the chewy plum and currant flavors. Very suave cabernet sauvignon for the price range, finishing with fine-grained tannins that reach the front teeth and lingering notes of currant, plum, flowers, spices and licorice. (A second sample, which I rated 88 points, was a bit more medicinal and showed a stronger herbal element that gave the finish a slight dryness.)
