Barrel-aged white wines are white wines that have been aged in oak barrels for a set period of time. The oak barrel provides the wine with additional complexity of flavor, aroma and texture, providing notes such as vanilla, coconut, smoke, spice and toast.
The barrel aging process can also lead to controlled oxidation of the wine, which can result in greater softness and roundness in the mouth.
The barrel aging time varies depending on the wine and the producer, but usually ranges from a few months to a year or more.
It is important to note that not all white wines benefit from barrel aging, and some may even lose their freshness and acidity if they undergo this process.
The white wines most suitable for aging in barrels are those that have an adequate structure and body to withstand the influence of the barrel without a loss of quality.
This is the case of the three proposals that we show you below and that are part of the Gourmet La Vanguardia White Barrel Wines Selection.
Mas d'en Compte Blanc de Cal Pla
Mas d’en Compte Blanc (DOQ Priorat) is harvested manually, macerated for one day with its skins and fermented and aged with its lees in new French oak barrels (70%) and American oak (30%).
The Mas d'en Compte Blanc wine is a white wine from the Priorat Designation of Origin produced by the Mas d'en Compte winery, located in Porrera. It is made from the Garnacha Blanca, Picapoll Blanc and Xarel·lo varieties, which are grown in vineyards located on terraces with slate floors.
This wine has a golden yellow color with greenish reflections and offers intense and complex aromas of tropical fruits, citrus and oak notes, as it has been aged for 6 months in French and American oak barrels. In the mouth it is broad, creamy and persistent, with balanced acidity and a long and complex finish. Mas d'en Compte Blanc is an elegant and complex wine that shows the influence of the barrel in its flavor and aroma, but without losing the freshness and fruitiness of young white wines.
Ideal for risottos, vegetables, salads, white fish, game, white meats, smoked...
Liberso Curiosus
To obtain this 100% Verdejo wine, 18 different wines are made; the first of them aged on its lees for 6 months to preserve its naturalness. Another 17 wines are also made, fermented and aged for 6 months in French, American and Hungarian oak barrels, but without losing the freshness and acidity characteristic of young white wines.
It is a wine from the Rueda Denomination of Origin produced by the Liberso winery. It is made with the Verdejo grape variety, which is grown in vineyards located at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level.
This wine has a straw yellow color with greenish reflections and offers intense and fresh aromas of tropical fruits and citrus, with herbaceous and floral notes. In the mouth it is broad, balanced and persistent, with a long and fresh finish.
Liberso is an aging white wine that shows the influence of the barrel in its flavor and aroma, but maintaining the freshness and fruitiness of young white wines, which makes it ideal to pair with fish, seafood and rice dishes.
Castelo de Medina Verdejo Selected Harvest
Castelo de Medina Verdejo Vendimia Selecciónda is a white wine made by the Castelo de Medina winery, which is located in the Rueda Designation of Origin in Spain.
This wine is made with carefully selected Verdejo variety grapes from vineyards that are more than 30 years old.
It is a greenish-yellow wine with intense aromas of tropical fruits, citrus notes and fresh herbs.
On the nose it is fine and elegant, with aromas of classic Verdejo such as dill, fennel, anise or apple; that acquire complexity with the light toast, spices and pastry notes that the barrel has given it during its aging.
In the mouth it is broad, long, fleshy and round, with its fruits and spices appearing again. It has great persistence and an aftertaste that invites you to continue tasting it.
Castelo de Medina Verdejo Vendimia Selecciónda is a dry, fresh and aromatic wine, which reflects the character of the Verdejo grape and the influence of the continental climate and soils of the region.
This wine is suitable to accompany aperitifs, seafood, blue fish (trout, salmon or tuna), poultry and smoked meats.
If you want to try these proposals, remember that you can purchase this selection of three wines (6 bottles) at www.gourmetlavanguardia.com or by calling 935 500 105.
