It is beyond question that Ribera del Duero is renowned for its reds; nevertheless, there is an increasing number of white wines that stand out for their distinctive character. The catalyst for this acclaim is the albillo blanco, a native grape variety that initially appears rugged, challenging, and complex to handle, but once mastered, reveals its profound generosity and adaptability. One of the estates that has recognized and showcased the unique personality of the albillo is the legendary Rhône Valley viticultural family, Chapoutier. Adhering to their motto “Fac et Spera” (to do and to hope), they do not confine themselves to the Rhône Valley, but rather seek out unique vineyards around the world that merit cultivation. It was on one such journey that Mathilde Chapoutier, the 8th generation, discovered Dominio del Soto. A vineyard nestled in Sotillo de la Ribera (Burgos), within the D.O. Ribera del Duero, where the albillo grape thrives.
From these ancient vines, perched at an altitude of 1,000 meters on clay-limestone soil, Dominio del Soto Crianza Albillo is crafted, a single-varietal white wine of albillo grown without any herbicides or pesticides. It is cultivated using 100% organic farming methods with biodynamic treatments, and the grapes are handpicked at the peak of ripeness. After meticulous hand harvesting, the bunches are carefully selected and gently pressed whole. The juice then ferments with indigenous yeasts in 300-liter tanks at a temperature of 15°C, with regular stirring of the lees. The wine is subsequently aged on its lees in oak barrels for over 11 months.
With the expertise of a long-standing winemaking family and the bountiful nature of this region's quintessential white grape variety, Dominio del Soto Crianza Albillo beckons us to delve into a realm of exceptional whites. Who says that Ribera del Duero is solely a land of reds?