Ontanon Contrebia Tempranillo Blanco, DOCa Rioja

This is a natural mutation of the red Tempranillo grape - and only a handful of growers in Rioja have Tempranillo Blanco vines. Bodegas Ontañón saw its potential back in 2010 and planted 15 hectares - releasing the first vintage in 2016

Production

In 1988, a Rioja winemaker found a bunch of white grapes growing amongst the Tempranillo vines in his Murillo de Rio Leza estate in Rioja Baja. After several years of investigation, the Consejo Regulador of Rioja accepted that this was a natural mutation of the usually red Tempranillo grape and approved it as a variety to be grown in DOCa Rioja. It is thought that just one generation separates the white and red versions of the grape - similar to white mutations of both Pinot Noir and Garnacha. The grapes are sourced from vineyards at around 600m altitude and are harvested in early October - picked in the early morning and taken immediately to the winery. There they are slowly pressed to extract the must, and the seeds are separated from the must to maintain optimal aromas and flavours during the fermentation process. This occurs over a period of 14 days at a controlled temperature. Following fermentation the juice spends time on the lees - they doubled the lees ageing to 4 months for the 2022 vintage, which gave extra body and balanced out the ripe fruit flavours.

Tasting Note

Delicate citrus and stone fruit aromas, white flower and a hint of orange blossom. The palate has texture, minerality and balance with stone fruit and citrus characters, crisp acidity and an elegant, lengthy finish. 

Food Match 

A good match for poultry, risotto and roasted vegetable dishes.