A White Spanish Wine Made For Pairing

The Viura grape, indigenous to Spain's Rioja region, is one of my favorites to pair with food. In my early days of evaluating wine, I paired a Viura with a bite of bleu cheese on a Triscuit cracker. I thought it was just about the best food I had ever tasted. I've had better since, but every time I have a Viura I think about that Triscuit and cheese with a Viura.

The 2021 Ontañón Viura Rioja is a raging winner. It was made fully from the Viura grape, fermented in stainless steel vats and aged on its lees in American oak barrels. Alcohol is restrained at 12.5% abv and it retails for $50. It's worth it, and Triscuits are only about five bucks. Imported in the US by Vino del Sol.

This wine has a rich yellow-gold color. The nose is powerful, loaded with Meyer lemon, apricot, an earthy herbaceous essence, and a wonderful salinity. The palate shows big fruit flavors of lemon, lime, and apricot, a big earthy edge, all draped in a deliciously creamy savory note. 

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