Ostatu Rioja Blanco '24

Rioja is Spain’s premier region, but it is far better known for its reds, so much so that many wine drinkers have yet to discover that the region produces white wine. If there were one white to try from the region to understand how complex and utterly refreshing the whites can be, it would be this wine from Bodegas Ostatu. Located in the village of Samaniego, which is part of the Basque Rioja Alavesa subregion, the Sáenz de Samaniego family produces world-class wine. The key to their success is largely driven by their old vineyards, which sit at high elevation along the Sierra de Cantabria mountain range.

The Ostatu Blanco, made from 85% Viura and 15% Malvasía, is a great introduction to the producer’s range of wines, a reflection of Ostatu’s pursuit of quality throughout their range. This is one of the most appreciated white wines from Rioja Alavesa, showing substance and complexity. The fruit is grown at an altitude of 580 meters, in vineyards in the villages of Samaniego, Laguardia, and Leza. These vineyards were planted between 1930 and 1989, so there is a notable amount of very old-vine fruit in this excellent white wine.
 
Grapes are farmed organically, and only native yeasts are used to ferment in stainless steel tanks, yielding an impressive, transparent expression of high-altitude mountain Rioja. The nose offers notes of green apple and pear, citrus peel, and white peach, with notes of fresh tarragon and other green herbs, and light floral aromas as well. The dry, citrusy-herbal finish makes this a great wine to pair with ceviche or simple raw oysters on the half shell, or cilantro-mint chicken and rice.