Rolland Galarreta Rueda 2019

Rolland Galarreta is a joint venture between winemaker Jean-Marc Rolland and the Galarreta family, and this bottling is single varietal Verdejo from D.O. Rueda in Castilla y León. The fruit comes from old vines near La Seca, a village at the heart of the appellation known for stony, free draining soils and a continental climate of hot days and cold nights that preserves aromatics and acidity. The vines run a low yield, which concentrates flavour, and the grapes pass a double selection in the vineyard and again at the winery. Verdejo is prone to oxidation, so the fruit is handled protectively and fermented cool in stainless steel to keep its green, herbal signature intact, with no oak to mask it. The wine is pale straw with green highlights. The nose shows green apple, lemon and pear lifted by dried herbs, the grassy note typical of the grape. The palate is dry and crisp, with a firm citrus acidity and a faintly bitter, mineral finish that Verdejo often carries. Serve chilled at 8 to 10 degrees.