Rioja - White

Though nearly all our medal winners were from the same year (2018) there was perhaps more variety in here than our tasters were expecting, and it made for a genuinely interesting and stimulating flight. Three Golds was white Rioja’s best performance yet in SWA.

What didn’t vary much, however, was the price. Bar the expensive (and very good) Gomez Cruzado, these were extremely cheap. Well worth a look.

From The Tasting Teams

‘Although there was good value for money, the best ones were very classic, dry white Rioja. Great for food.’ Charlie Cockaday, Gravetye Manor

‘Rioja produces some versatile white wines. You just need to have a good sommelier pointing them out to customers.’ Jan Van Heesvelde, L’Enclume

‘Some of these were particularly great for sommeliers, especially for difficult pairings. They offered interesting flavours and styles at the right prices.’ Victoria Sharples, St John Restaurant Group

Award winners

Found 10 wines

Spain: White Rioja

Bodegas Corral, Don Jacobo, Tempranillo Blanco Ecológico 2018, Rioja, Spain

'This is almost like dessert wine on the nose, with fig and apricot notes joined by some hints of cedar. It tastes older than it is.' Charlie Cockaday, Gravetye Manor. 'A very lactic and peachy wine that's quite tart, with some clementine acidity and a touch of heat on the finish.' Jade Koch, team leader. 'Darker hued and honeyed, this would be a great wine for food matching.' Victoria Sharples, St John Restaurant Group.

£9.25 Matthew Clark

Ondarre, Valdebarón 2018, Rioja, Spain

'An easy-drinking all-rounder, with apricots and citrus on the nose, and zesty acidity.' Victoria Sharples, St John Restaurant Group. 'This has notes of melon, green apple and pear, along with lots of citrus fruits, lemon in particular, coming though at the end.' Charlie Cockaday, Gravetye Manor. 'A complex wine with a touch of oak and a tropical fruit finish.' Lionel Periner, team leader.

£7.93 Bodegas Ondarre, S.A.

Gómez Cruzado, Montes Obarenes, Rioja Blanco 2016, Rioja, Spain

'A premium wine with citrus, yellow fruit and some vanilla notes leading to a harmonious, creamy palate. I'd be pleased to pay that price.' Lionel Periner, team leader. 'Good freshness here, with candied lemon peel, butter, vanilla and green apple notes.' Deniz Bayram, Novel Wines. 'Creamy and mineral, with a rich tertiary palate and a long, enticing finish. This will age well.' Jade Koch, team leader.

£32.00 Boutinot

Vintae, Palacio del Camino Real, Blanco 2018, Rioja, Spain

'This would make a good aperitif, with fresh grapefruit skin notes.' Jan Van Heesvelde, L’Enclume. 'Notes of peach, melon, apple and lime.' Charlie Cockaday, Gravetye Manor. 'A great pub wine, with a nice light body and a refreshing style.' Lionel Periner, team leader.

£6.61 Majestic Commercial

Ortega Ezquerro, Rioja Blanco 2018, Rioja, Spain

'With its tropical fruits and butterscotch notes, this is rich, lactic and smooth. A juicy, well-balanced wine.' Jade Koch, team leader. 'This has a plush, aromatic nose with stone fruits and a hint of lanolin.' Victoria Sharples, St John Restaurant Group. 'Bergamot, pink grapefruit and apricot notes, with some salinity on the finish.' Sam Winterbottom, The Albert Square Chop House.

£8.55 Jeroboams

CVNE, Monopole, Unoaked Blanco 2019, Rioja, Spain

'This has nose of citrus and exotic fruit, leading to a clean, peachy palate.' Sue Jones, The Harrow at Little Bedwyn. 'A good gastropub wine, with its pineapple, guava and lemon notes.' Deniz Bayram, Novel Wines. 'This has some tart fruit, with good acidity.' Jan Van Heesvelde, L’Enclume.

£6.34 Hatch Mansfield

Winner Details