Chocolate Blanco n°3 ('20-'21-'22) Bodegas Artevino (Orben) - 75 cl.

The top wine of this estate, and a very complex cuvée. Most of the wine experts think that verdejo is not particularly apt for barrel fermentation. But this FEB gained by it in structure without losing anything in liveliness. It is Marivi's tribute to her father who took care of these vines all his life.

Limited and original project from the Anton family. Orben's wines are limited and distinct in the range anyway, but this Chocolate is another story in its own right. Sourced from a number of small vineyards totalling 0.8 ha at an altitude of 520 m, located between Laguardia and Villabuena de Alava. Very poor terroir with sandy soils and little water. 3 vintages are always blended into 1 wine.

Viura is another name for Macabeo. At Abel Mendoza, this 100% Viura comes from old vines scattered across different plots, often planted among other traditional grape varieties. The vines are around 40 years old on average and grow on clay and limestone soils. At Abel Mendoza, Viura is often the most austere and taut of his single-varietal white wines. Production of 3,300 bottles.

50 year old vines. 2,500 bottles. This is Abel Mendoza's top white wine. A perfect blend of 5 different varietals; Viura (aka Macabeu), Malvoisie, White Tempranillo, Torrontés et White Grenache.

Selma is a cult wine. Everybody has heard about it, but rare are those who got to taste it. Selma is the name of a small mountain village in the Sierra de Montmell, in Santes Creus (Province of Tarragona). Here are Jaume et Ester Jin's roots; and this is here that years ago they started ti plant vine son slaps, on a very small scale. Biodynamic culture and winemaking.

The latest release by Remirez de Ganuza - a white wine, this time. It comes from a small vineyard in Samaniego, at 600m above sea level. Only old vines of viura (aka macabeo).

Roda I Blanco is a highly ambitious project from this top estate. A dedicated underground cellar was built especially for it, next to the existing bodega. Impressive! Agustín Santolaya’s ambition is clear — he aims for nothing less than creating the finest white Rioja, with his usual meticulous care for the vineyards. The winemaking pays tribute to the classic white Riojas.

Fernando has always had a majority of white grapes in his vineyards. Along the years, the quality of his white wines has regularly improved. And now his blanco is at the top of Rioja's whites. Since 2011, he has also been producing a white reserva. Both cuvées are on par with the best white Burgundies. The grapes come from a 600 m high vineyard in San Vincente de la Sonsierra, on clay and limestone soils.