Hermanos del Villar Oro de Castilla Sauvignon Blanc 2014
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The Villar Brothers, founded Bodegas Hermanos Villar in 1995, owning 247 Acres of vineyards in the town of Rueda. The widely planted grape varieties are: white – Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, Viura and red –Tempranillo. Over 30 year old vines. The vineyards where the grapes come from are the main reason for this wine’s sterling quality. The bright flavors and minerality are due to the high-elevation vineyards that overlook the town of Rueda and to the bed of river stones that cover the limestone subsoil. The vines are among the oldest in the region, with deep root systems that penetrate the limestone and mineral subsoils.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Rueda is located along the banks of the Duero River in Spain’s Castilla y León region, just a 2-hour drive north of Madrid. While winemaking in this area goes back to the 12th century, it was in the 1980s that the region was granted Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status. Today, more than 70 wineries call Rueda home. This national favorite is the top-selling white wine in Spain.
Notable facts Rueda’s main grape variety, Verdejo, gets it distinct complexity from stressful growing conditions and mineral-rich soil. Think of Verdejo as a fuller-bodied and more aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. A lush and smooth character with perfectly balanced acidity means Rueda wines pair well with seafood, fresh salads and spicy food, but are also great on their own.