VintageVino Pick of the Day: Bodegas Muga Rioja Blanco, 2008

I had this wine last night at a New Haven restaurant. It is an annual favorite of mine. The richness of the wine (derived from barrel fermentation and 3 months aging on the lees), combined with the clean, fresh minerality make for a delicious accompaniment to traditional tapas. I had some croquetas de clamares and croquetas de jamon Iberico, as well as an ensalada de judiones de la granja and pimientos de padron (the deep fried peppers). All of these things - even the peppers that had a touch of heat - worked quite well with Muga. Its freshness and racy acidity was perfect for the croquetas (the Iberico had a touch of truffle) but the weight of the wine was able to carry it with the salad and the peppers. I am a fan of this wine because of its year-in and year-out consistent style.

The Muga wine cellars were founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, and is to this day a family run winery. One of only several in teh world that have their own cooperage, importing wood for the barrels directly from sources in France, Hungary, Russia and the United States.