SP, La Rioja, Rioja Alta
100% Viura (Macabeo)
Sustainable
When most people hear the name Rioja, they immediately think of the region’s celebrated reds, bold, structured wines built on Tempranillo that have defined Rioja’s reputation around the world. However, alongside those famous reds stands Viura, the white grape that has long been fundamental and overlooked to Rioja’s identity.
Viura is the primary white grape variety of Rioja. It is naturally acidic, adaptable in the vineyard, and resistant to oxidation. These qualities make it an ideal grape for both young fresh wines and for styles that benefit from aging. In its purest form, Viura often produces dry, light to medium bodied wines with lively notes of lemon, green apple, and white flowers, offering brightness and clarity that compliment beautifully with Rioja’s richer reds.
Viura has also been the backbone of traditional barrel fermented and oak aged white Riojas, where time in wood transforms the grape’s profile. With aging, the wines gain texture, nutty complexity, subtle spice, and remarkable longevity, demonstrating that Rioja’s white wines can be just as compelling and age worthy as their red counterparts.
The Bodegas Abeica, Abaris Parcela Santa Ana, Rioja 2022 gives us a bit of both worlds. It captures both the freshness of youth and the layered complexity that thoughtful oak aging can bring.
Fresh and floral, this Abaris shows remarkable precision and energy. Aromas of green apple, pear, and grapefruit mingle with white flower notes, flinty minerality, and a subtle touch of toasted oak. The palate is vibrant and well balanced, driven by bright acidity, lime tinged fruit, and a lightly saline edge that adds tension and clarity. Medium bodied yet intense, it finishes long, refreshing, and mouthwatering, with a purity and structure reminiscent of a Chablis inspired style of Rioja Viura.