SAQ Rioja DOCa Serezhade 2022, Las Cepas
Maturana for insomniac readers…
In our market, we rarely come across Rioja white wines made from Maturana Blanca. It must be said that with only 38 ha planted (representing 0.06% of Rioja), it would be difficult to do much better. Low-yielding and susceptible to phytosanitary diseases, this grape variety practically disappeared during the phylloxera epidemic of the 19th century. In 1995, the Ijalba winery set out to revive Maturana and bottled its first vintage in 2005. The appellation recognized the value of this in 2007, and from then on, Maturana could be classified as DOCa, just like the Viura and Verdejo of the region.
The Ramirez family behind this cuvée is part of this new generation of winemakers highlighting terroir by working with salvaged indigenous varieties, all within an organic approach. On their 50 hectares in the village of Urunuela, they remain faithful to the land and its history, taking advantage of the region’s heritage while continuing to enrich it and reflect on its future.
And what about the wine? Maturana from vines over 50 years old, with a golden yellow hue, an intense nose of citrus and quince, and a rounded mouthfeel, yet with the natural acidity characteristic of the grape. You can easily age it for two or three years for a very interesting tasting experience!
- To pair it with: baby potato salad with smoked salmon, capers, shallots, and homemade mayo…
- Fun fact: despite the difference in spelling, you will have guessed that Serezhade refers here to the tale of the 1001 Nights, and that the ultimate aspiration of this wine is to bring a smile back to a cuckolded sultan…
- To better understand Rioja: keep an eye out for the workshop on the subject in the autumn!
- A few more bottles of Garnacha 1921, 2020 from the same producer at the SAQ for $27 (14013339)
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