German Blanco La Bicicleta Voladora Blanco Rioja

This is a dry, white wine whose crisp profile is defined by notes of green apple, pears, and a general freshness allowed amplification by the stainless steel aging. Tempranillo Blanco is a mutated grape from the red Tempranillo grape. It has a thick skin and was planted over 35 years ago in a mix of clay and limestone soils. The grapes are destemmed and pressed softly in concrete where the wine ferments. The wine then ages for 11 months in tank.

Food Pairing: grilled fish, prawns, pan-seared scallops, chicken or turkey dishes, zucchini fritters, vegetable tapas

La Bicicleta Voladora is German Blanco's project in Rioja Oriental (he also makes high-altitude wine in Bierzo). He prefers making wines in older styles, using old vines, mixing grapes from different vineyards.