Bodegas Naia Rueda
WHY WE LOVE IT
Bodegas Naia is located in the village La Seca, which is considered the Grand Cru of the D. O. Rueda and where some of the oldest vineyards of this Denomination of Origin can be found.
Varietal Composition: 85% Verdejo, 15% Sauvignon Blanc
Elaboration: The vineyard is between 750 and 800 metres. The wine is fermented in stainless-steel vats and two French oak tanks with a capacity of 10,000 litres each. The age of the vineyard is between 15 and 130 years of age. The average rainfall does not exceed 500 litres per year. The wine is aged in 100% French oak barrels with a slight and medium char. Barrels are different ages.
Tasting Notes: Straw-yellow color wine. Very aromatic on the nose with notes of fresh fruit, citric fruit, herbs and boxwood. It is a very fresh wine that combines the aromas of the Verdejo and Sauvignon varieties. On the palate, it is light and fresh with a slight bitter aftertaste.
PRESS
2021 – 91 James Suckling
2020 – 91 Vinous | 91 Decanter
2019 – 92 James Suckling
2022 – 91 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Bodegas Naia was established in 2002 along the southern bank of the Douro River in the Rueda Denominación de Origen (DO) growing region. The winery covers 40 hectares (about 96 acres) in the village of La Seca, approximately an hour northwest of Madrid.
La Seca is the birthplace of the Verdejo variety in Rueda. Verdejo grapes originated in North Africa and were brought to Rueda in the 11th Century. Originally, Verdejo was used to make a strongly oxidized Sherry-like wine. Now, it is often compared to Sauvignon Blanc but is actually in a category of its own. Its vines cover most of the area’s landscape.