The undisputed high quality of the 2011 vintage has been re-affirmed in results at International Wine Challenges, by the opinions of specialised wine critics and in the growth of sales of Rueda wines.
The plenary of the Rueda Appellation Control Board has now ratified for the first time in its history the official rank of “Excellent” for the 2011 vintage, after studying the report and results drawn up by the Tasting Commission for the 2011 vintage since last November.
According to information contained in the report, “this 2011 vintage was characterised by historically low rainfall, an early budding and mild temperatures, except from mid-August and during the whole of September when temperatures were very high for the time of year. Early budding together with lack of summer rainfall and high temperatures in August brought about an early start to the grape ripening process, causing the harvest to be brought forward to August 23rd, the earliest start ever in the Rueda appellation.
On tasting, the wines had medium power on the nose and were intensely aromatic on the palate with great length. Alcohol levels were between 13 and 13.5º, producing wines that are long, intense, very structured with green fruit flavours coming through which linger and fill the mouth with a sensation of freshness. With a slow ageing aided by the high alcohol levels, which will prolong the ageing potential of the wines, the characteristics of the varietal will be able to develop and become subtler over time, enabling the wines to gain even greater intensity, length and freshness.”
These comments match the ratings given by experts at the Peñín Guide, who on April 10th tasted 163 wines representing brands registered in the Rueda appellation: Rueda, Rueda Verdejo, Rueda Sauvignon Blanc, Rueda Verdejo Barrel Fermented, Rueda Sparkling, Rueda Sweet and Semi-Sweet, Rueda Red and Rosé. The Peñin panel agreed that the 2011 was an excellent vintage in the Rueda appellation, stating that unlike in other wine regions the quality of the wines was virtually guaranteed in all the bottles tasted, giving the appellation a seal of security for its wines in today’s market as well as a range of tasting characteristics that are even higher in quality than those of other vintages.
An indication of the high rank of Rueda’s 2011 vintage is the large number of awards won by Rueda wines at different international wine challenges. Recently at the latest edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, held on May 4th and 6th, and in which a total of 8,397 wines were tasted from 52 countries (and in which Spain won the second most awards), the Best World White Wine was judged to be “Vega de la Reina”, Rueda Verdejo 2011 (Haciendas de España). Other wines which were awarded a gold medal in this wine challenge were: 12 Linajes Verdejo 2011 (DO5 Hispanobodegas), Abadia San Quirce Verdejo 2011, Aura Verdejo 2011 (Domecq Wines España), Doña Beatriz Verdejo 2011 (Bodegas Cerrosol), Eylo Blanco 2011 (Bodegas Val de Vid), Montespina Verdejo 2011 (Avelino Vegas), Protos Verdejo (Bodegas Protos), Val de Vid Verdejo 2011 (Bodega Val de Vid), Verdeal Verdejo 2011 and Yllera Verdejo 2011 (Bodega Grupo Yllera).
What’s more, in the National Final of the Best Wines of Spain, which will be held on June 2nd and 3rd, the two following Rueda wines have been selected: Finca Montepedroso Verdejo 2011 and Pradorey Verdejo 2011. Meanwhile, at the Organic Wine Challenge ECOVINO, which took place in Logroño, the award of Best White Wine was given to a Rueda: “Antonio Sanz 2011” (Sitios de Bodega).
Currently, sales of Rueda wines continue to follow a positive trend in spite of the fall in wine consumption; and the Rueda appellation, with 7.7% of the total market in Spain, has consolidated its position in the on-trade as second appellation, with only Rioja above it.