Vivanco Rioja Blanco 2012
Don’t call it a comeback… but something about this wine just drew me to my computer and I found myself writing a post. Whaaaat?
It’s been a long cold winter and I’ve been on a red-only streak for months. Today was the first day in a long time we’ve played out on the porch, and when I got home from a run with Bo, Matt suggested we grill out. Porch + grill = white wine time. It’s basically an unspoken rule in this house.
The only non-sparkling white I had on hand happened to be this one, which my Dad had given me as a Christmas gift. I knew nothing about it but took my first sip and said “mmm, try this!!” to Matt. At first sip, I thought it was going to be sweet but it’s actually surprisingly dry and a bit aromatic. Almost has some of the qualities of a cooler climate Sauvignon Blanc, but a bit of a heavier mouth feel. At the end, it has a little bit of a lemon hit that kind of lingers with you.
I’d recommend it to someone who likes drier whites, like Chards or a Viognier but wanted something without the heavy oak taste. I’d even call it a good white for red drinkers, or to make the transition from winter reds to spring whites. I think it’d pair best with a seafood dish or maybe a light salad with goat cheese, but it went well with the grilled chicken we were having.
Oh! And it would be rude of me not to mention that it’s a 12.5% alcohol content so… consider yourself warned! (Let’s just say after my second glass, I knew I had to be extra careful editing this post.)
Tasting Notes:
Wine Name: Vivanco Rioja Blanco 2012
Grape: 70% Viura, 20% Malvasia Blanca, 10% Tempranillo blanco
Origin: Espana! (Spain…)
Price: $12.50 (gifted to me, but this is what it looks like it is online..)
General impressions: dry, aromatic, lemony, mineral
Recommendations: pair with seafood, pair with appetizers, a spring white, a white for red drinkers, a white to gift a friend
Would you buy again? Yes, although as it gets warmer, I’ll prefer a “lighter” white… but I’d likely buy this again for a dinner party!