Honoro Vera 2015 Blanco, Rueda

One should never buy wine based on a label design alone. Just like you should never judge a book by its cover. But hey, I’m only human.

Rueda Refreshment

My assignment was simple enough. Pick up a refreshing white wine that would pair well with seafood. Green Dragon was whipping up shrimp and grits and so I was scanning the shelves of the local wine shop looking for a bottle to chill.

My attention was captured by the Honoro Vera Blanco, a white wine from Rueda. Rueda is a Spanish wine region that produces some of the country’s best white wines. The wines are based primarily on the local Verdejo grape but Sauvignon Blanc is also used. Not only are the wines well-crafted – but the prices are a great bargain.

Phantasmagoria

It’s not often you can use the word “phantasmagoria” in a wine review, so I’m going to take advantage of the opportunity. Although I was attracted by the quality of Rueda wines, the label design locked me in a tractor-beam.

It features a phantasmagoria of design with a close-up of a woman’s shadowed face that is a cross between a Greek statue and an android. Aside the face is a flow of swirling lines, flowers and colors.The combination of wine region, great label design and a bargain price of $9 caused me to purchase the bottle and meander home.

The entree was ready. The shrimp was cooked Cajun-style and the grits were nice and cheesy with crumbles of bacon. Shrimp and grits has become a favorite of ours since we first had a great chef creation at a restaurant in Cleveland. Yes, I said Cleveland.

The Honoro has a twist closure, which is just fine for wines designed to be consumed while they are young. On the nose there are floral notes. In the glass the wine glimmers greenish gold. The spiciness of the shrimp was complimented by the cool crispness of the wine.
The body is light and lively. On the palate, there is a kick of acidity and delicate flavors of white flowers.

Honoro Vera has produced a very pleasing white that is affordable enough for you to purchase multiple bottles. I’ve had some Verdejo wines that were ho-hum, not the Honoro. The blend of Verdejo with a splash of Viura and Sauvignon Blanc is aromatic and flavorful. Not only that, but the bottles look oh so stylish until you empty them.