El Coto Rioja

Bill Dowd photo

Say "Spanish wine" and most people think "red." However, this rioja white is made entirely of viura grapes by the company that released its first wine in 1975 and since then has grown to become Spain's No. 1 wine brand.

• El Coto Rioja 2007

All El Coto grapes are vinified in stainless steel tanks then aged in American oak casks. This bone-dry white is good at a cool room temperature or chilled. Either way, its crisp, citrus and apple notes come through, although chilling encourages a longer finish.

The color is a pleasing pale gold with hints of green that serve as a preview of the highly aromatic nose that mingles a strong presence of tart grapes with floral notes and a touch of green apple and thyme. It paired beautifully with the sweetness of such dishes as smoked pork chops and cold shrimp as well as with the tartness of a tomatillo bruschetta.

Suggested retail price: $12 for the 750ml bottle.

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