Herrero Medievo Rioja Blanco by Jan Smit 2025 is a modern white Rioja made from Viura and Sauvignon Blanc, crafted with Bodegas del Medievo in Aldeanueva de Ebro. This wine was born from Jan Smit's love for Spain and white Rioja, featuring a style centered on freshness, citrus, gentle roundness, and accessible drinking pleasure. The combination of the classic Rioja grape Viura with the aromatic freshness of Sauvignon Blanc gives this white wine a contemporary character without losing its Rioja roots.
This white Rioja comes from Aldeanueva de Ebro, a wine village in Rioja Oriental where sun, altitude, and dry conditions play an important role.
• Location / Origin: Aldeanueva de Ebro is located in Rioja Oriental, within the DOCa Rioja. This part of Rioja is known for many hours of sunshine and dry conditions, allowing grapes to develop ripeness while the higher altitude helps preserve freshness.
• Wine region: Rioja Blanco is produced within the same famous appellation as red Rioja, yet it reveals a completely different side of the region. White Rioja can be young, fresh, and fruity, but it can also acquire more structure and complexity through modern vinification.
• Soil: The grapes grow in poor, mineral-rich soils with clay and limestone. This combination helps give the wine freshness, structure, and a slight roundness.
• Climate & Influences: Around Aldeanueva de Ebro, the vineyards stretch from the banks of the Ebro to higher slopes towards Monte Yerga. These differences in location allow for a staggered harvest and create space for grapes with both ripe fruit and fresh tension.
This white Rioja is made from Viura and Sauvignon Blanc, a combination that beautifully brings together the classic and the modern.
• Viura – Rioja: What is Viura? Viura is the most important white grape of Rioja and is known for fresh citrus, mild white fruit, and an elegant structure. In this wine, Viura forms the base for the round, accessible side of the blend.
• Sauvignon Blanc – Rioja: Sauvignon Blanc provides extra aromatic expression, lively citrus, and a fresher tension. This gives Herrero Medievo Rioja Blanco its modern, energetic style.
The vinification is focused on fresh fruit aromas, purity, and a subtle extra roundness.
• Harvest & Selection: The grapes are carefully harvested and gently pressed. This keeps the juice clean and well-protects the fresh aromas of Viura and Sauvignon Blanc.
• Fermentation: The must is fermented under temperature control in stainless steel tanks. Stainless steel helps keep the citrus, freshness, and aromatic vitality crisp and pure.
• Aging: Part of the wine is aged briefly in oak. This provides extra roundness and complexity without overpowering the fresh white Rioja style.
• Alcohol content: At 12.5% alcohol, this wine remains light-footed and fresh enough for aperitif moments, but with enough structure to also work well at the table.
