2023 Cuatro Rayas Longverdejo Gran Vino de Rueda

Producer Profile: With a history of winemaking dating back to 1935, Cuatro Rayas are leaders in their field, producing almost 20% of all the white wine in DO Rueda.

Now, the community of winemakers making up this co-operative boast over 300 members, with 2,400ha of land under vine, including 120-year-old pre-phylloxera ungrafted bush vines. Cuatro Rayas have worked hard to develop their own ‘Green & Social’ sustainability programme to protect both the environment and their local communities, as well joining forces with the University of León to research the genetic diversity of indigenous Spanish grape varieties and the ageing capacity of Verdejo in particular.

Tasting Note: This wine portrays the evident character of the areas and the old vineyards from which it is produced—some being pre-phylloxera. Green-tinged yellow in colour this special Verdejo has a complex nose of stone fruit, flat peach and apricot, white flowers, fennel, and some minerality. All of them combined with tertiary hints of dough, nuts and spice resulting from the oak ageing. An intense and complex palate, full of tension, making it softer and longer despite its full body, with saline hints.

Food Matching: Mushroom risotto, pan fried seabass and paella.