My wife and I are participating in our neighborhood dinner club this Saturday and the theme is rustic Spanish. We are responsible for the soup portion of the meal and were given the suggestion for these Spanish Whites: Verdejo, Rueda, Txakali, Penedes. My two LWSs have the following wines in stock:

2008 Bodegas Berroja Berroia (Bizkaiko Txakolina) $15

2006 Bodegas Vina Nora Albarino (Rias Baixas) $15
2007 Burgans Albarino (Rias Baixas) $11
2007 Carballal Albarino (Rias Baixas) $19
2008 Gran Vinum Nessa (Rias Baixas) $14

2007 Telmo Rodriguez Basa (Rueda) $12
2008 Bodegas Pedro Escudero Platon Valdelainos Verdejo (Rueda) $11


I have very little experience with Spanish whites -- any help in choosing the best out of this bunch is greatly appreciated.

I can't help you with which ones are the best, but I might help you avoid a poor wine. Pass on the Nora Albariño.

What kind of soup are you preparing and who suggested a Spanish white? A Tempranillo can pair nicely with many soups.

Perhaps a Cava?

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Verdejo, Rueda, Txakali, Penedes

Wonder if you cross a Penedes with a Verdejo - do you get a Pendejo?

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Originally posted by Board-O:
I can't help you with which ones are the best, but I might help you avoid a poor wine. Pass on the Nora Albariño.

Thanks, that helps -- I'll cross that off of the list.

quote:

Originally posted by MJAlbers:
What kind of soup are you preparing and who suggested a Spanish white? A Tempranillo can pair nicely with many soups.

It's call "Smoky Spanish Tomato Soup". It looks a bit spicy, so perhaps that's why the host suggested a white with this course.

I'm thinking Rueda with that dish, but I'm not familiar with either selection.

Txakolina is more of an apertif, and Albarino pairs better with white seafood and shellfish.

Paso a Paso Verdejo is a goody. It's aged on the lees and will have enough backbone to pair with a smokey soup.

you should buy a bottle of each!
taste and see what you like!!!!!

I have enjoyed the Nora! but for some reason that price is high!

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2008 Bodegas Pedro Escudero Platon Valdelainos Verdejo (Rueda) $11

My choice. sorry a day or so late.

What was final choice?

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I ended up with the Burgans Albarino. It went well with the soup, but most of the group had already switched to red after hors d'ouvre hour anyway. Nice simple, enjoyable white, though. The highlight of the evening's wine were the two bottles of 1995 Torre Muga Reserva that someone else brought.

Clio