The Undiscovered Gem?! Tasting high-scoring white Rioja.

[@LadyDi82]

Hi Konstantin, thank you so much for your channel. It's so great! I've learned so much about wine since I started watching and tasted my first Chenin blanc a few weeks ago. It was very difficult to find here. Keep the vids coming. Sending lots of love from Bermuda!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Thank you 🙏

[@LadyAceRoxy]

I enjoyed this video so much! I never met a white Rioja I didn’t like and the Bodega Alegre Valganon Blanco is one of my favorite wines. And one of the best “wow” moments I ever had with a wine was the Lopez Heredia Viña Gravonia. White Rioja is amazing.

[@koraftdt]

Cvne monopole was the first white wine produced in Rioja, if not in Spain. They mixed the wine with some sherry (manzanilla I believe) before bottling to imitate the "French style" that was in vogue at the time. The mixing with sherry was banned with the advent of the Spanish do system, but Cvne was granted an exception a few years back and they started making monopole again by adding Sherry. They now also make a gran reserva version

[@TheFisch68]

CVNE Monopole is absolutely amazing. The best wine I tasted this year was at the "Cata del Barrio de La Estación" in Haro (Rioja) (in which all the historic bodegas open their doors to the general public during the day, offering two tastes of their wines each.) Monopole was my first taste; it was by far the best of the day. Talking to the guy who was serving it, he told me it is aged in barrels that they buy from Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Sherry), therefore some extra notes that add so much to this already great wine (which I've also guessed at the beginning of the video just by the size of it). Thanks, Baum, for another great video and new tips!

[@Bobrinsky]

Barriques. Barracks are the buildings soldiers live in.

[@TheFisch68]

@@Bobrinsky Actually, I think it is barrels, so I edited it. Don`t know why "barracks" came out (fast - and wrong, of course - use of autocorrection). I checked out and it looks like barriques is the term in french language, not the one I used to write this time. Thanks for the tip, anyway, and let`s get back to the important things (wines).

[@georgeliapis47]

Ok, I’ll try to get a bottle of Suane before you end their stock! Thanks for the amazing video, I loved that you loved it so much.

[@gordonyoul9515]

You have made me a very happy man. Thank you sir from the bottom of my heart.

[@JabadSBS]

This video shows how much spain and spanish wine is under-represented and underrated in the wine world.

[@DaGeit]

Agreed. Especially the Xarel-Lo, Godello and Treixadura blends north-western part is so unique and still quite cheap imo.

[@jacquin8511]

Team Spain, for sure

[@Shiva13ish]

I was hoping you'd do a video on white riojas, as I also believe them to be a hidden gem! Yet, I didn't know most of the wines you tasted today, so thanks for that, I'm rushing to buy a few of those Suane Reserva 2017 :D Cheers! Thomas

[@elfblood9127]

Another great video! I had never heard of white riojas so it was exceptionally interesting to see you taste and evaluate them. Thanks for the time and energy that you devote to this channel. It is always an education for me to view your tastings.

[@kentpiano2600]

Love this video, terrific, thanks! Imagine enjoying 6 white rioja, wow! I adore viura/macabeo and always enjoy these not too heavily oaked, lucky you with the 98pt wine!! ❤

[@seigliere1]

Thanks Konstantin, although I live in France and should be a complete Francophile in my wine choices I am a great fan of Spanish wine. I find even their entry level wines have improved enormously over the last 10/15 years and represent great value for money.

[@hnurminen]

I have the Alegre Valganon in my cellar and I really like it. Their reds are great, too.

[@prestonfulks4360]

Great content, love your videos, very informative. I'd love to see a video on some of the more notable wineries from the new California scene such as Ruth Lewandowski, Florez, Stagiaire, Stirm, or Iruai. I'm curious to see how these stack up to more classic wines, and also your opinion on their ageability.

[@roelkoster1282]

Great video, thank you for that! Even though I've been a Rioja adept for more than 40 years I still learned something new today, thanks Herr Baum! (And I understand why you did''t feature Lopez de Heredia, again 😉) 0:04

[@DavidPardosPuig]

I'm a white Rioja and white Priorat fan 😊. There's a Suañé Rosado that is also amazing Vielen dank for your videos

[@KimaHolland55]

OMG! Konstantin, just got back from Girona and had the most wonderfull white's and verdejo's 💖

[@Filipwielki]

Great video as always Konstantin, after this i need to give white rioja another try :D cheers 🍷

[@BrianHaagh]

Great video :) Always look forward to “Stay thirsty” Sunday! Saudé!

[@MarcKoetse]

We just tried the Suañé (2019). Incredible wine! Ticks all the boxes of what I like in a white wine. Thanx for bringi G it to our attention.

[@santibarbera9083]

Abel Mendoza's white wines are a great example of each white varietal found in Rioja (Tempranillo Blanco, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía, etc). Other great examples of white Rioja are Remírez de Ganuza Blanco Reserva, Contador Qué Bonito Cacareaba, Gómez Cruzado Montes Obarenes and 200 Monges Reserva Blanco or Gran Reserva Blanco. If budget is not an issue, there are amazing white wines such as Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva and Gran Reserva, Allende Mártires and Marure, or Pujanza Añadas Frías.

[@ukaszmaksymowicz4579]

Got it!!! Full box of Suañe!!! Just 6641 were made in 2019 and I have 6 of them!!!

[@solomonmengeu1003]

White Rioja is a wine style that generally wine geeks or aficionados are familiar with, as it doesn't get a lot of traction in the mass market. Overall I would say the QPR is pretty decent compared to other white wines at similar price points. For me the issue sometimes is knowing how oaky it is or isn't going to be, thankfully with wines labelled "fermentado en barrica" you know what you are getting. But in other cases it is sort of trying to guess what the wine might be like and I do enjoy wines that emphasize texture or being savory over just fruit. Let's hope the prices stay reasonable and accessible. Great video and cheers!

[@mikaelplaysguitar]

I tried a few white Riojas when I was in Rioja earlier this year. In general, they are a bit too low on acidity and too high on alcohol for me. However, the very first one I had, a Tempranillo blanco "La Mateo" I thoroughly enjoyed and need to seek out again.

[@guillermoacuna6367]

Hi Konstantin, Thank you very much for the video. Just a small comment. The third one is from the CVNE winery which I am sure you know. It is the "monopole" clásico reserva, You might want to correct the link on wine-searcher

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Yes, I added that correction at the end of the video. But thanks for letting me know about the wine searcher link. That has been updated too!

[@vittoriotrainini4954]

Hi Konstantin, I love your channel, it's so interesting for wine lovers like us. I have a question for you: will you ever make an episode about SQN wines? 💣

[@fingersfinesilver]

Wow, they are (relatively) cheap! What a fantastic video. Really really appreciated it. I'm not generally a white drinker. As I'm in Europe, I'm up for the 2017 too! Have you done a Portuguese video? Wine rather than port. Love both, Excellent wines there too. Sorry I couldn't like this video twice!

[@carlcadregari7768]

The Suane is gone. Every bottle in the US is gone. Wow. What an impact your videos have.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

I feel your pain as I forgot to buy some for myself and cannot find it anywhere anymore now…

[@peterburlin8198]

@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWineif you’d have bought five cases you’d be sued for insider trading 😅

[@wlentsch8222]

I have 4 bottles. What do you pay? 😂

[@CarloMazzali-j5j]

Recently drunk a Contino Blanco 2017 together with other wine enthusiasts friends, and we've been all blown away by the quality/price ratio. Lots of potential in that region, let's enjoy them before they'll inevitably raise in price

[@benjaminbb123]

Quality video as always. If you haven't, you should try some of the wines from Sierra De Tolono. Wow. Both red & white. Some of the best Rioja has to offer imo!

[@mkogrady6078]

What are the varieties of grapesccare thesee wines made from. Any regions in the U.S. thsst grows them for wine as welk?

[@francmassaneda]

Remelluris are always funky! The reds too

[@jonaseberth9027]

Again an eyeopening video, thanks! One question: you said, that wine number 2 was a bit too funky for you. Could you maybe specify, what you mean by funky exactly and why you don't like it here? It´s just because you once mentioned, that you like a certain kind of "funkyness" in a wine, right? Thanks, Konstantin!

[@NVH-hi7wp]

Great video, I wish you’d have gone through the breakdown of varietals in the bottles.

[@welshtoro3256]

White Rioja has been flying under the radar for years but so has the whites from its neighbours like Navarra and even the whites from the rest of Spain. White Rioja are really trending right now but I'm enjoying Spanish whites from all over the country. They are really killing it with imported varieties too. I recently had (and subsequently bought) a bottle of stunning Chardonnay from a maker in Somontano. Spain is absolutely made for great white wine.

[@jamesboddington9565]

Great video as always K. Never tried a white Rioja but you've certainly piqued my interest now

[@adjusted-bunny]

Interesting. I will have to take a look at white Rjojas.

[@jamieloake9588]

Konstantin, you need to try Miguel Merino’s wines. White & red, they produce some really beautiful stuff

[@RalphWendlandt]

White Rioja is great for me, when it comes to mature ones like Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva 1950 or 1970. It is amazing how well they hold and what complexity they develop. Unfortunately the prices rised up a lot.

[@jameswingad3212]

I love white rioja! Martires and Remirez de Ganuza are among my faourites

[@ericthompson3255]

The CVNE Monopole Reserva is one of my favorite white wines!

[@cjostin8598]

I would love to see Mencia from Bierzo next. That would be very interesting😋

[@nicolasmaligner8753]

Don't forget Galicia with Valdeorras, Monterrei and Ribeira Sacra.

[@cjostin8598]

One video for every sub-region would be the best! Then we will always have something to watch🤣​@@nicolasmaligner8753

[@williamrobinson7435]

Coincidentally I was sharing a bottle of white Rioja with a friend not so long ago, a riserva, so presumably it cost a few pennies, but I was too stupid to note more detail. It certainly had some colour but what most impressed me were two things; I was nervous about the conversation and thus desired alcohol but the flavour and slightly saline, viscous texture along with the sheer deliciousness of the wine took away most other thoughts, and what was interesting was that the pronounced oak seemed to blend perfectly with the more subtle peach and apricot notes; how can this be? I would be interested to know exactly what this was, but my friend cannot remember either..the label was white, with black and green writing. Any ideas? I'm so glad you found a 98 pt white Rioja. But there'll be none left by now, I expect! Nice one Konstantin. 🌟👍

[@terryhsiao1745]

White rioja is some of my favorites

[@jayceperlmutter4317]

Constantin - go see your urologist! Thank you!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

😂

[@IA_Z_V]

Rioja is making great whites! You should try Que bonito cacareaba, from Bodega Contador (100 point wine maker) really serious wine. Cheers!

[@AchillesMajor]

LOL loved the morning urine descriptor ... may not catch on with the masses, BUT it makes the point perfectly!

[@davesbeard]

Though if his morning urine is that colour he needs to be drinking a lot more water!

[@silasrobertshaw8122]

@@davesbeard 100%. I am worried about him now with that comment.

[@AchillesMajor]

@@silasrobertshaw8122 True - he may have alkaptonuria, but the odds are low. :)

[@patrickdemarcevol]

Remelluri reds are extraordinary for the price, I keep some in my cellar, but I've never tasted the whites. Next buy I'll try

[@Blue28485]

Here in New York the 98 point wine all sold out! Damnit Konstantin (It’s not important that I didn’t know about the wine until this video….)

[@JoanneTelling1]

I really like Gravonia from Lopez de Heredia and though it has increased in price recently, it's still good value.

[@Nse19]

Had to try they Suane. Is this really 98p, I mean almost perfection? For 30€ I think you can definitely find more complex and more enjoyable Riesling for example. But its all subjective. Have 3 bottles left and not sure if they will age well, but I'll give it a go and drink them in 3, 6 and 9 years from now, see how they develop.

[@johnd0e25]

Time to hit the local wine stores to see what whites they have around, excepted Tondonia I've only bought reds and I live in Spain 😅

[@FilipBogović-p4y]

Hey Konstantin great content as usual! Never really ventured into Rioja but now seems like it's my time :D Do you mind sharing what's the website I can order that Suane 2017?

[@soniahladka-i2n]

Panoramico Rioja is my favorite

[@rickwezenaar]

Hiya ! how are you doing ? thanks for another nice video! how about a video about the bordeaux classification wines ? would love to hear your opinion about some interesting bordeaux regions, like the most overlooked wines such as chateau le puy (emilien, barthelemy). Or the Bandol region (which is Provence, not Bordeaux, obviously), with the beautiful wines from Tempier or Pibarnon ? Just a thought, but I have never seen a video about those regions, which is a shame, imho... that said, these are obviously suggestions only. cheers !

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Sounds good! I recently made a video about Bordeaux including a wine from Le Puy and I visited Tempier this summer, but didnt make a video about it.

[@grosslyoverrated]

The Suañe wines are excellent. I am also partial to the Rosé as well. Serious wines, but at hidden gem prices. If you are buying it from vinicultur, say hi to Andy and Holger from Pablo

[@nietzsche1985]

Suañé ordered ❤

[@ROGER-yo9cy]

Mix between clasic and modern Rioja. Have you tasted the wines from the called best winery in whitewines from the region, Abel Mendoza?

[@clydeblair9622]

Texture!

[@seigliere1]

You should also do if you have not already done so , Cava. The quality of some is astounding and in my opinion surpasses many well known Champagnes.

[@jenspoertscheller4314]

CVNE ist der absolute Hammer❤❤ ich würde mal prüfen ob La Rioja Alta auch White Wine macht.....selbst noch nicht getrunken. Rioja ist wie immer ein Preis-Leistungs Monster😊

[@The.Epicurean]

Without waiting to the end and getting spoilers, No.5 has to be Viña Tondonia, yeah?

[@The.Epicurean]

Ok, maybe not!😂

[@PeterPan-nh7yx]

👍 567 Schönes Tasting, Vina Tondonia hätte mich dabei interessiert. Mein favorite white Rioja, spez. die 2013er Blanco Riserva. P. S. Sorry, nachdem ich die Kommentarsektion gecheckt habe, ziehe ich meine Bemerkung zurück.

[@silasrobertshaw8122]

Man, I wish I could afford $80 wine glasses. The style of glass is striking, and am looking for new ones, so I will look for the more inexpensive imitators.

[@climatecypher]

If that's your morning, you gotta get your kidneys checked immediately!!!

[@elfblood9127]

You often mention 'entry level' wines and in this video you said it in a way that made me think that maybe there are regions or vineyards that do not produce entry level wines. Am I misinterpreting or are there vineyards that only produce high end wines and nothing else?

[@spinatwachtelxy0089]

Will you do a Video about Pinot GG from Wiesbaden ?

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Not this time

[@levanteponiente2297]

Dude du musst echt mal nach Haro und La Guardia fahren (die zwei großen Weindörfer der Rioja) und dort mal die Augen aufmachen, von Luis Cañas sieht man schon dick und fett das Schild der Bodega, wennst von La Guardia runterschaust, das ist eine der großen Bodegas. Und die Rieslingflasche ist keine Rieslingflasche, sondern eine Txakoliflasche. Der Txakoli ist ein baskischer Weißwein, über dessen Herkunft du dich in einem anderen Video schonmal gewundert hast. Da La Guardia geographisch betrachtet zum País Vasco gehört, aber trotzdem zum Weingebiet der Rioja gehört, werden die Txakoliflaschen auch genrefremd verwendet. Versteh mich net falsch, huge fan, aber "You are sleeping on Spanish Wine dude!". ;)

[@loghorizon45]

90+ points through the bank is a feat for a region.

[@rikardo1070]

not a fan of white..........but BIG fan of K BAUM. (is that ur rap name ?)

[@klitomazify]

I'm having trouble finding a German source for the Suane. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[@Peanut.Butter.Runner]

That Remelluri was WAY too young to be showing well. I had the 2013 earlier this year and was one of the best whites I have ever had.

[@JabadSBS]

Luis cañas is a fantastic and popular winery, you should try more of this producer!

[@clydeblair9622]

Mmm shellfish.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Amber in color is much better than morning urine sample.

[@FightingMango]

Noooooo! The secret is out!

[@MrJcalvino]

30€ for a 98 point wine is bonkers. Price will skyrocket after this video

[@nickh9791]

Shame that good white Rioja is pretty expensive, because it can be stunning

[@Kneisterkasten]

I as well am mystified to see not even a mention of Tondonia or Gravonia - but the Alegre Valgañón is one of my go-to non-Riesling whites, I'm making sure to always keep some in the cellar. Really delightful at 5 - 7 years of age, too, at least!

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Tondonia red and white were on the channel a few times before.

[@clydeblair9622]

You're at the top of the field. Beware creeping megalomania.

[@clydeblair9622]

White Rioja is for real wine drinkers.

[@OnlyDrams-ro]

I can accredit a journey of now 12 years in wine to a white rioja. it was a 2004 R. López de Heredia, tasted in 2013. Blew my mind.

[@robertpadgett4192]

It would be fantastic if you would perform a blind tasting of Zinfandel wines from Dry Creek Valley, Russian River, and Alexander Valley.

[@ROGER-yo9cy]

Monopole is a ver classical one. It wasn't a good wine years ago

[@lotharflatz4594]

Can't understand why you missed out on vina tondonia

[@warichuser1]

He tasted the Reserva Blanco in another video! It also featured in his best wines of 2023 vid.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Yes, I had it a few times

[@lotharflatz4594]

​@@KonstantinBaumMasterofWineok, Gott it

[@welshtoro3256]

We all know about that. A waste of a wine review.

[@rvp976]

You should recheck with the doctor, I don't think that's how urine samples should look

[@rogerkwok1983]

I'd be worried if that's the colour of your morning urine man!

[@fernandofreire4062]

If your morning urine is that color you should check in with your doctor.

[@juliojimenez9794]

How come everyone can taste and smell all sort of fruits, woods and spices in wine except for grape? I mean, like, seriously? 😂

[@alexanderlachmann7292]

If your urine looks like this I have serious concerns about your liver.

[@FrängischeVerkostungsFrond]

You don't know "Pälzisch"???????

[@lcpholman]

Hey Konstantin, I think you need to drink more water :)