September Featured Wines – 2022 Nisia Verdejo Old Vines, Rueda, Spain & 2021 Kid Sister Cabernet Sauvignon, Navarra, Spain

With meteorological autumn starting today, September 1, fall is here. Summer weather does not leave for some time but the idea of fall makes me think about seasonal changes in our wine selection. This month we have selected wines from 2 different wine regions in Spain – Navarra and Rueda. We have had wines from both regions but different grapes from different producers.

2022 Nisha Verdejo Old Vines is produced by Bodegas Vatan for Jorge Ordonez Selections in the Rueda region. Rueda is in the Castile y Leon region in north central Spain. Rueda is Spain’s most famous white wine region. Winters are long and cold while summers are hot and dry. The soil in this region is resistent to Phylloxera which destroyed vineyards in France over 100 years ago. Many of the artisan wines, such as those imported by Jorge Ordonez Selections, continue to be grown as they were traditionally a centutry ago. Ordonez was one of the first importers to introduce Spanish wines to the United States.

2021 Kid Sister Cabernet Savignon is produced by Bodegas Nekeas in Navarra in the north of Spain. This region has an ancient history but is still little known. We have had Tempranillo and Garnacha from Navarra but Cabernet Sauvignon is also widely produced. This wine is also imported by Jorge Ordonez Selections.

2022 Nisia Verdejo Old Vines, Rueda, Spain $16

Nisia Verdejo has a bouquet of Bosc pear, nectarine and brined green olives paves the wayfor peach, honeydew melon, fennel bulb and vanilla bean flavors. There are notes of white chocolate and lemon zest that offer a vibrant finish. Alcohol: 14%

2021 Kid Sister Cabernet Sauvignon, Navarra, Spain $12

Expect this Cabernet Sauvignon to have fruit-forward profile with flavors of blackcurrant, plum, and perhaps a hint of green pepper. The wine should have a medium body, smooth tannins, and a clean finish, making it approachable and enjoyable.Alcohol: 14%

Wines of the Month – 2010 Shaya Verdejo & 2010 Rio Madre Graciano

October 25, 2012 · by BishopsStock ·

Featured wines for November are 2010 Shaya Verdejo from Rueda, Spain and 2010 Rio Madre Graciano from Rioja, Spain

2010 Shaya Verdejo Old Vines $16

This is a bright, green-tinged straw colored wine. Intense green apple, pear skin and lime aromas are complimented by white pepper and herbs. On the palate the wine is taut and refreshingly bitter, with attractive herbal and mineral accents to the ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors. Finishes clean and long, with an echoing peppery note. Alcohol 13.5%

2010 Rio Madre Graciano $13

Rioja winemakers use Graciano grapes to add a floral bouquet to many blends. Rarely has it been used on its own. It was discovered several years ago Bodegas y Llurce Rio Madre was producing estate owned grapes on 20 year old vines that could stand on their own. This wine is rich, savory and luscious and tastes like a cross between Grenache and Tempranillo. The palate starts sweet and sappy with juicy red currant and blackberry fruit, good acidity then ends with a dash of spice sprinkled over the finish. Alcohol: 14%