Rioja Blanco - Tentenublo Wines will make you forget what you knew until now about Rioja and this happened also to Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate) and Tim Atkin (Master of Wine), who described his winemaker, "leader of the new Rioja revolution ” and “New Winemaker of the Year 2015”, respectively. You should already be convinced, if not keep reading…
Roberto Oliván belongs to the fourth generation of winemakers in a family of winegrowers who have been growing grapes in Rioja for at least 30 years. In 2011, with the Tentenublo Wines project, he entered the market strongly and gave a unique performance to the DOCa Rioja region. It kept the traditional quality intact and gave it an air of freshness, elegance, and less cask use...or none at all!
The winery grows the Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura, and Malvasía varieties, on 100 hectares of family vineyards, divided into 30 small parcels in the village of Viñaspre, in the north of Spain. At the steep foothills of the Sierra de Cantabria, with an altitude reaching 700 meters and the climatic clash of the Titans, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean, don't wonder how the label on the bottle came about. It captures the traditional ringing of bells that were intended to ward off (chasing) hailstorms during the grape ripening season. The so-called Tentenublo!
Rioja Blanco - Tentenublo Wines is produced from 45 to 65-year-old, organically grown vineyards and its blend consists of 40% Viura, 30% Jaen, 20% Malvasia Riojana and 10% Garnacha white. The dry summer and cold winter of Rioja Alavesa, combined with the limestone soil, almost define the character of the wine.
The harvest is done manually and the grapes are transported in small cages so that they are not injured! The wine ferments with natural yeasts in concrete tanks, while a part of it ferments with the skins, to enhance the aromas. The result; Great freshness, purity of fruit, crisp spicy notes, and an elegant minerality, which makes up the ultimate expression of terroir! Before bottling, it stays in contact with the lees for 8 months and you must be wondering why you haven't tried it yet!
We believe that this label is not accidental, but almost prophetic and does not only refer to bells and clouds! So in order not to run at the last minute, catch it and enjoy it with smoked white meats, or with fish dishes.
