The regions of Toro and Rueda in Castile and Leon could hardly be more different; what both regions have in common is that they are located on the highlands of Castile, at an altitude of about 750 to 800 meters, with similarly barren soil structures and a comparably harsh, continental climate. Moreover, both regions are very traditional areas whose wines were drunk as early as the Middle Ages. After the phylloxera disaster, they then developed in different directions.
Similar to Toro, Rueda today also has very cleanly vinified wines of a modern character, but this region is clearly dominated by white wine. Until the 1970s, wines made from the Palomino grape variety were still produced here in the sherry style. It was not until the producer Marqués de Riscal awakened the Verdejo grape variety from its slumber that other producers also began to rely on this variety, which now occupies 5,380 hectares, in addition to Sauvignon Blanc.
Thanks to night harvesting and modern cellar technology, these two varieties in particular produce excellent spicy, fruity and fresh white wines, some of which are downright racy, and which are in great demand in Spain because of their delicate character.
