# Ponce de Albayda Blanco (2023)

- **Producer:** La Naldesa
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Viura, Tempranillo Blanco
- **Region:** Rioja, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €4
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 9–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, grapefruit, orange, blossom, grass, fennel, almond, hay

## About this wine

Ponce de Albayda Blanco is a highly regarded white wine produced by La Naldesa, a brand under Bodegas Proelio (part of the Palacios Vinos de Finca group) in Nalda, La Rioja. Known in Spain as an exceptional value find, particularly within the Mercadona supermarket network, it showcases the potential of everyday white Rioja. The wine represents a modern approach to the region's white winemaking, combining traditional Viura with the rare, indigenous Tempranillo Blanco.

## Interesting facts

- Tempranillo Blanco was discovered in 1988 as a single, naturally mutated albino shoot on a red Tempranillo vine in a Rioja vineyard.
- Though widely distributed in Spanish supermarkets, it is highly praised by local sommeliers as a 'hidden gem' for its quality-to-price ratio.
- The wine is produced by La Naldesa, a bottling brand of Bodegas Proelio, which is part of the prestigious Palacios Vinos de Finca group.

## Food pairing

This crisp white wine thrives alongside fresh seafood and light, savory dishes. Its medium-plus acidity cuts through the richness of avocado and tuna, while its clean, mineral-driven profile complements the natural salinity of shellfish. The subtle almond and citrus notes harmonize beautifully with olive oil-based Mediterranean dishes and light rice preparations without overpowering them.

## Wine making process

The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Ebro Valley of La Rioja. Fermentation takes place under strict temperature control in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh, primary fruit characteristics and vibrant acidity of the varieties. While most batches are released young to emphasize freshness, some premium iterations undergo brief aging or partial barrel fermentation to add subtle texture and complexity.