Characteristics of Barón de Ley Blanco Semidulce
Barón de Ley Blanco Semidulce is a young white wine made with the Sauvignon Blanc and Viura varieties by the Barón de Ley winery in the D.O.Ca. Rioja.
Located in the Navarra town of Mendavía, by the Ebro river, the Barón de Ley winery was established in an old fortified castle that dates back to 1548. Having been occupied by counts, Benedictine monks and generals, it is now a winery run by Eduardo Santos Ruiz who is the largest shareholder. They cultivate over 600 hectares of vineyards to make wines in a true D.O.Ca. Rioja style.
Barón de Ley Blanco Semidulce comes from its own vineyards planted at more than 800 metres above sea level. The influence of the continental climate and its varied temperatures results in grapes with a good level of sugar and acidity. The harvest is carried out manually when the grapes reach optimum ripeness.
In the winery, the Barón de Ley Blanco Semidulce grapes are destemmed and pressed gently. The resulting must ferments at a low temperature (between 12ºC and 14ºC) in stainless steel tanks. Finally, this fermentation is stopped by dropping the temperature to -4ºC to stop the yeasts from working and leaving the wine with a residual sugar.
Barón de Ley Blanco Semidulce is a pleasant and fruity wine with good acidity to counteract the excess residual sugar. A very good introduction for those taking their first sips of wine.