La Greña Bodegas Tierra 2020

The Rioja Blanco Bodegas Tierra ‘La Greña’ presents itself as an expression of Malvasia Riojana with a deep aromatic character, resulting from the vinification of grapes from a vineyard that is over a hundred years old. Malvasia Riojana, also known as Malvasia de la Rioja, is an aromatic variety belonging to the extensive Malvasia family, widespread in various Spanish wine regions, including, of course, Rioja. This grape variety is well suited to arid climates and soils poor in organic matter, such as those of Rioja, where Malvasia was once the most widely planted white grape.

‘La Greña’ Rioja Blanco Bodegas Tierra is produced exclusively with Malvasia Riojana grapes from the Pago de Cuba Negra vineyard, planted in 1910 in the territory of Labastida, in Rioja Alavesa. The harvest is carried out by hand in crates, and the clusters are then destemmed followed by 24 hours of pre-fermentation maceration. This is followed by gentle pressing, with the resulting must conveyed into 750-liter Austrian oak barrels for alcoholic fermentation and the subsequent aging period of 12 months, of which 6 are spent on the lees.

The color of Rioja Blanco ‘La Greña’ from Bodegas Tierra is bright golden yellow. The wide aromatic range opens with scents of quince, peach, yellow plum, citrus, white flowers, honey, mint, and laurel, with hints of smoke and lactics and toasted and spicy notes emerging later. The taste shows a fantastic balance between enveloping softness and pleasant freshness, with a very persistent finish marked by savory touches. To fully enjoy the qualities of this Spanish Malvasia, it is advisable to open the bottle about an hour in advance to allow it to breathe, taking care not to serve it overly chilled.