3. D.O. RUEDA  Located at the the central plateau of the Iberian Peninsula, 130 km. North of Madrid. Relatively high altitude (700 m) and extreme continental climate.  Extremy poor and stony, peeble soils (used to be a riverbed thousands of years ago).  Grape variety verdejo was brought to Spain by the Arabs in the X century.  Fruity, very expressive white wines. Considered to be the Spanish sauvignon blanc.

4. ENARIA Eduardo de Iscar Winemaker In 2010 Ramón Bilbao and 67 Rueda growers set up a joint venture and Bodegas Monte Blanco is born: A new state-of-the art winery combined with more than 30 years-old vines. Rioja winemaking practices together with the local know-how. Golden colour with lemon peel glints, bright and luminous. Tropical aromas (passion fruit, grape fruit, pineapple), with notes of fennel and anisette. Nice medium body with a fresh and persistent finish.

5. The Netherlands is the largest market in the world for Rueda wines: 108.426 standard cases in 2010 (+28,2% vs 2009). This amount doubles the quantity sold in 2004 (54.000 cases). Belgium is the sixth largest market: Sales were 50,365 cases in 2010, with also an slight increase VS 2009. In 2004 the size of the market was 34.000 cases RUEDA: A success story in the Benelux.