A great deal of red tape must be cut through to make possible the making of white wines in the Ribera del Duero growing region of Spain.
But, according to this report from Decanter, that process has begun.
To clarify, white winegrapes already can be — and, to a very limited extent, already are — grown there. But they are not eligible for D.O. (Denominación de Origen) status, which is viewed as a seal of approval and a barometer of quality in Spain and much of the European Union.
Ribera del Duero is known for its (red) Tempranillo wines, and Vinesse has featured numerous renditions through the years. According to Decanter, growers and vintners would also like to be able to craft D.O. renditions of Albillo, Pirules, Malvaisa, Viura, Verdejo, Albariño, Hondarrabi Zuri, Palomino, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Treixadura and Viognier.
What will it take?
It begins with a formal proposal, which already has been drafted and presently is in the hands of vineyard owners, who must demonstrate strong support. After that, the government of Spain must get behind the effort. Then, finally, the proposal must be approved by the European Union.
Yes, the amount red tape is daunting. But if the effort is successful… and if, as we suspect they will be, the wines are good… it’ll be time for another type and color of tape: white ticker tape.
