In Rueda – Verdejo and more (2)

So after Bodegas Naia, we went to Bodegas PradoRey. I really like the concept they have put in place (about time somebody in Rueda does this. I have seen it a bit more in Rioja and Ribera although not much). An entire experience around wine, visiting the cellars, the great restaurant where to taste excellent food and their wines (or other as the selection is nice) and a very good shop with wine and products for the region. The group (which has originally wines from Ribera del Duero) invested over 9 Mio Euros on the complex.

Here apart from their Verdejo (PradoRey Verdejo 07) and even a cheaper version of Verdejo with a cheap Viura Grape (the wine sells for 3-4 Eur), they have worked 2 wines that I really like. One goes along the high end version of Verdejo that I mentioned on the previous Rueda post. The wine is called “PR3 Barricas”. The other one a very nice surprise “PradoRey Sauvignon Blanc”, semi dulce (semi sweet), working on similar lines of the IceWine but much much cheaper and en excellent taste

“PR3 Barricas” – so the grape is 100% verdejo, they mention they use a soaking process with CO2 (called Boreal) which gives the grape already an special treatment. Wine is then fermented on 3 types (that is why it is called PR3) of Central European Oak barrels (of 300 liters), where it stays for 9 months (once again almost triple that classic verdejo). Its alcohol degrees is actually quite high for whites on 13,5%
The bottle on its one is different as the bottom of the bottle is wider than usual. Very nice looking (don't know if you can see that on the picture). Visually the color is yellow, very shiny with some greens. On the nose intense, some toffee also. On the mouth very intense, stays on the mouth much longer that most verdejo. So great for rice or risotto, but I think it can “maridaje” with some stronger than usual cheeses. Have to try this
I bought some bottles and also a surprising present for friends to try this one. They will love you ☺

“PradoRey Sauvignon Blanc”, semi dulce (semi sweet), what a nice surprise. Excellent dessert wine, good value for money (compara with the 20+ Eur IceWine from Austria and even more expensive from Canada). Light colours, smells like pear and taste is light, semi sweet with some mature fruit at the back of your palate.