Bodegas Perica 'Olagosa' White Rioja 2021

We're always on the hunt for great value juice. That's pretty difficult to find when looking for rich, round whites that require complex and expensive winemaking techniques (chiefly, the use of oak). But, we're onto a winner here. This is a classically styled white Rioja. Rich, opulent and fruity - think pineapple and cantaloupe melon, with white pepper spice and a hint of herbaceousness. On the palate it is generously full bodied, a little toasty, soft and round. Having spent a few months on it's lees after it's wild fermentation in new oak, the wine has a nice creamy, buttery, luscious feel to it.

The wine is 95% Viura and 5% Malvasia.

Bodegas Perica is a family business that has been producing wine in Rioja since 1912. Now in the hands of the third generation of the Garcia family. The founder, Don Juan Garcia, produced wines that were just distributed locally, but as his son, Don David, took over it became a more sophisticated enterprise with investment in new winery equipment and registration with the Consejo Regulador Denominación de Origen Rioja. David’s nickname in the family was Perica, which was adopted as the new name bodega. Ironically ‘agarrar una perica’ means ‘to get sloshed’… Bodegas Perica own 150 hectares of vineyards in Rioja Alta. With their winery and cellars located in San Asensio, just south of the Ebro river.