Contrebia Tempranillo Blanco, Ontañón

Made from a natural mutation of the red Tempranillo grape –  only a handful of growers in Rioja have Tempranillo Blanco vines

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 DOCa Rioja.

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 controlled temperature. Following fermentation the juice spends four months ageing on lees, which gives extra body and balances out the ripe fruit flavours.

Delicate citrus and white flower aromas with a hint of orange blossom. The palate is soft and round with ripe stone fruit characters, gentle acidity and an elegant, lengthy finish.

Colour – White
Producer – Ontañón
Country – Spain
Region – Rioja
Vegan – Yes
ABV – 12.5%
Grapes – Tempranillo Blanco
Vintage – 2024
Sustainability – Non-Organic
Female Winemaker – No
Food Pairings – Poultry, Risotto