Viura

Viura is the classic white grape of Rioja (in Catalonia it’s called Macabeo, one of the three cava grapes). It has a reputation for being bland, and young it can be: white fruit, not much fuss. But give it oak, time and a good vineyard and it turns into something else entirely.

That’s where it hooks you: whites with real body, a waxy, almond-like texture, and an ability to age in bottle that very few people expect. The Rioja whites causing a stir right now almost all come from here.