White Rioja Wine: 10 Best Bottles, Styles, Food Pairings

The Rioja region in Spain is traditionally famous for its red wine - but, White Rioja (Rioja Blanco) accounts for 10% of the annual wine production. 

White Rioja refers to white wine made using Viura grapes (also known as Macabeo) and a small portion of other white grape varieties like Turruntés de Rioja and Chardonnay.  

These wines have their own fan following for their fresh and fruity flavor and good aging potential!

In this article, we’ll tell you what White Rioja is, the different styles of Rioja Blanco and the best bottles to buy right now. We’ll also cover the best dishes you can pair with a glass of White Rioja.

White Rioja Wine Styles (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva, Joven)

White Rioja or Rioja Blanco wines can be light or full-bodied with a balanced acidity and come in two different styles. The main difference lies in their aging period.

• Aged wines: These classic Rioja wines are usually aged in 225-liter oak barrels after fermentation. Aged White Rioja is further classified into three categories: 
• Crianza wines: Aged 12 months (6 months in a French oak cask)
• Reserva wines: Aged 24 months (6 months in a French oak cask)
• Gran Reserva wines: Aged 48 months (6 months in a French oak cask)

The Reserva and Gran Reserva wines can be aged further in your wine cellar for at least 20 years. 

• Young wines (Joven wines): Most White Rioja is released as young or Joven wines. They are not aged, and are released shortly after they’re bottled. These wines are usually dry, fresh, and light, with a considerable amount of acidity.

Each white variety used to make these wines is sourced from vineyards around the Rioja region in Spain. 

Now, let’s take a look at the best bottles of White Rioja you can get your hands on.

10 Best Bottles of White Rioja to Buy Right Now

Here are some of the most refined White Rioja bottles you should definitely try:

• 1970 Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial 
• 2012 Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri 'Remelluri' Blanco
• 2014 Bodegas Contador - Benjamin Romeo 'Que Bonito Cacareaba' 
• 2019 Bodega Abel Mendoza 5 V Blanco
• 1981 R. López de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva Blanco 
• 2017 Olivier Riviere 'Mirando Al Sur' Vendimia Seleccionada
• 2015 Remirez de Ganuza Blanco
• 2014 Bodegas y Vinedos Gomez Cruzado Seleccion Terroir 'Montes Obarenes' 
• 2011 Remirez de Ganuza Blanco Reserva
• 2018 Oxer Bastegieta Iraun

1. 1970 Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial ($622)

This White Rioja is an exceptional wine - it’s received perfect scores of 100 from Robert Parker and James Suckling. 

On the nose, this Gran Reserva has floral aromas with fruity notes of pineapple, pear, and lemon curd. The palate has good acidity and a creamy texture with a long and sharp finish.

2. 2012 Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri 'Remelluri' Blanco ($83)

This White Rioja has a yellow haze color and an aroma of lemon curd and grapefruit. 

It has a rich fruity flavor profile with a highly acidic and lengthy finish. 

3. 2014 Bodegas Contador - Benjamin Romeo 'Que Bonito Cacareaba' ($83)

This full-bodied White Rioja has an aroma of cinnamon, orange marmalade, and spices. On the palate, there are pear, pineapple, and almond flavour notes. 

The finish is brilliant and smooth. 

4. 2019 Bodega Abel Mendoza 5 V Blanco ($40)

This wine from the Rioja region has a pale straw color and floral aromas with notes of citrus and stone fruit. The palate has flavors of butter, vanilla and cardamom balanced off by the wine’s medium acidity. 

5. 1981 R. López de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva Blanco ($825)

This white wine has a golden amber color and a fresh citrus character with honey and marmalade notes on the nose. 

The palate has flavors of toffee, raisins, dry fruit and good acidity balanced with great freshness. 

6. 2017 Olivier Riviere 'Mirando Al Sur' Vendimia Seleccionada ($77)

This 2017 vintage from Olivier Riviere is one of the most exclusive Rioja white wines.

It’s a limited edition with only 350 bottles produced by the winemaker. The wine has a bright yellow color and a nutty aroma with hints of fresh white fruit.

On the palate, there are flavors of apricot, fennel and minerals. The finish is well-balanced and long.

7. 2015 Remirez de Ganuza Blanco ($55)

The 2015 Remirez de Ganuza is made mainly of the Viura grape variety, blended with some Malvasia and Garnacha Blanco. This pale yellow wine has tropical fruit aromas with herbal hints that lead to a brilliant freshness. 

The palate is soft and creamy with a balanced flavor of fresh white fruit and notes of wood. 

8. 2014 Bodegas y Vinedos Gomez Cruzado Seleccion Terroir 'Montes Obarenes' ($80)

This White Rioja has a fresh fruit aroma and white fruit flavors with a touch of vanilla. The finish is nicely balanced with a supple amount of acidity.

9. 2011 Remirez de Ganuza Blanco Reserva ($96)

The 2011 Remirez de Ganuza vintage has an aroma of vanilla and almond. The palate reveals notes of walnuts, peach, and toast with a hint of honey. 

The finish is brilliant - sweet, long and smooth.

10. 2018 Oxer Bastegieta Iraun ($41)

This 2018 White Rioja vintage of Oxer is made with Viura grapes from old vines and it received 94 points from Robert Parker. It has floral aromas, with a silky palate and good acidity. 

Investing in White Rioja

Looking to invest in fine White Rioja?

Vinovest is a platform that will help you find investment-worthy bottles of White Rioja or any other fine wine. 

You can find a bottle of White Rioja for as low as $40 - but the best ones can also be quite pricey. These high-tier White Rioja wines can be a great choice for anyone looking for a good investment wine. 

It has had steady price increases over time. For example:

• The 1981 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva Blanco grew by 114% from $384 in 2020 to $825 in 2021.
• The 1970 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Blanco Gran Reserva Especial increased by 10% from $565 in 2019 to $622 in 2021. 

Now, let’s look at the best dishes to pair with a bottle of White Rioja.

Food Pairings with White Rioja

White Rioja is a great wine to pair with Spanish food - especially tapas.

The Joven White Rioja is the perfect match for shellfish, grilled fish or fresh salads. Aged White Rioja goes well with fish stew, lobster and paella. 

You can also pair White Rioja with almonds, asparagus, cheese and grilled meats. 

Get A Bottle of White Rioja to Complement Any Occasion!

White Rioja is a brilliant wine that can add glamour to almost any occasion. A good bottle of White Rioja can also be a great pair to various dishes. 

You can even add a fine White Rioja to your collection and benefit from its investment potential.

With Vinovest, you can buy, store and sell your wine bottles, as well as have them delivered to your doorstep whenever you need them.