Rueda
Although Rueda is the name of a small town in Northwestern Spain, it is better know as the name of one of the best wine producing regions of Spain.
In the 10th century, during the Christian reconquest of Spain, the Christians pursued the Moors as they retreated south. The Moors made it a practice to burn everything as they left. In Northwest Spain, this scorched earth policy left the land uninhabitable for more than 100 years. During this time, the land regained it's fertility, and became home to wildlife and natural vegetation. The most interesting vegetation was a wild grape known as Verdejo.
By order of the king, the land was resettled and began producing very high quality wine, much in demand by the royal court, from the Verdejo grape. The rest, as they say, is history -- literally 9 centuries of it -- which brings us mercifully to today.
Many of the best wines in Spain come from Castilla y Leon, the region surrounding Rueda. This region is a high altitude area with an extreme climate -- very hot summer days with cool nights, and cold winters. The difference in temperature between day and night helps to preserve the acidity in the grapes. Rueda has become Spain's most fashionable red wine region, with its aromatic, rich, yet fine reds made from Tempranillo grapes. Rueda also makes a good white wine made from the Verdejo grape.
The Mudejar Castillo De La Mota is at Medina del Campo, near Rueda. It was originally a Moorish castle but rebuilt after 1440 and later became the property of Fernando and Isabel (Ferdinand and Isabella of Christopher Columbus fame). The square tower has twin turrets at each corner. Great curtain walls surround the castle.
Do Not Adjust Your Set: These pictures were taken in between 1997 and 1999 with a first generation digital camera. They are as big and as good as they'll ever get.
Read MoreIn the 10th century, during the Christian reconquest of Spain, the Christians pursued the Moors as they retreated south. The Moors made it a practice to burn everything as they left. In Northwest Spain, this scorched earth policy left the land uninhabitable for more than 100 years. During this time, the land regained it's fertility, and became home to wildlife and natural vegetation. The most interesting vegetation was a wild grape known as Verdejo.
By order of the king, the land was resettled and began producing very high quality wine, much in demand by the royal court, from the Verdejo grape. The rest, as they say, is history -- literally 9 centuries of it -- which brings us mercifully to today.
Many of the best wines in Spain come from Castilla y Leon, the region surrounding Rueda. This region is a high altitude area with an extreme climate -- very hot summer days with cool nights, and cold winters. The difference in temperature between day and night helps to preserve the acidity in the grapes. Rueda has become Spain's most fashionable red wine region, with its aromatic, rich, yet fine reds made from Tempranillo grapes. Rueda also makes a good white wine made from the Verdejo grape.
The Mudejar Castillo De La Mota is at Medina del Campo, near Rueda. It was originally a Moorish castle but rebuilt after 1440 and later became the property of Fernando and Isabel (Ferdinand and Isabella of Christopher Columbus fame). The square tower has twin turrets at each corner. Great curtain walls surround the castle.
Do Not Adjust Your Set: These pictures were taken in between 1997 and 1999 with a first generation digital camera. They are as big and as good as they'll ever get.
