Piqueras was founded in 1915 by Mario Bonete in Almansa. The region wasn't very developed in terms of viticulture at the time, so the wines were sold in bulk to large producers. This changed in 1961, when the family decided to bottle and market the wines themselves. A wise move, as their hard work was rewarded in 1966 with the award of their own DO Alamansa. This led to increased exports of the wines, and they became known worldwide.
The Verdejo Barrica is made entirely of Verdejo grapes. The vines are planted in a vineyard in Almansa at an altitude of between 940 and 960 meters. This highest altitude ensures the grapes receive sufficient cooling in the perpetually hot Spanish climate. The limestone soil allows the grapes to develop their wonderful characteristics. Once perfectly ripe, the grapes are harvested by hand, followed by a rigorous selection process. The grapes ferment spontaneously in French oak barrels, and finally, the wine is aged for four months on lees in stainless steel tanks. This gives the wine its complexity and a delightfully creamy palate.
The result is a lemon-yellow wine that sparkles beautifully in the glass after pouring. We immediately enjoy a rich bouquet with fruity notes like mango, pineapple, and ripe pear. These fruity aromas combine beautifully with the subtle notes of barrique aging, such as vanilla and delicate caramel. The taste is as we would expect from Piqueras wines: delicate with a fine acidity. Creamy on the palate with a juicy freshness that also reveals the fruity notes. It has a very long finish. Delicious with fish dishes and grilled white meat.
