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Blanco

Albelda de Iregua

White · Reserve · Medium-sweet

Vermut San Bernabé Gran Reserva Especial Blanco

Licorera Albeldense

Albelda de Iregua , España

7.0 /10

Vermutpedia Score: 7.0/10

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Overall impression

Vermut Blanco San Bernabé Gran Reserva Especial is the white counterpart of Licorera Albeldense's Gran Reserva Especial line in Albelda de Iregua (La Rioja). According to vermutsanbernabe.com, it is made from Riojan white wines of the Viura variety, aged in 500 and 250 litre barrels, macerated with plants, roots, herbs and citrus bark, then fortified and sweetened. Maceration with 24 botanics, highlighting wormwood, gentian, marjoram, cardamom and lemon peel. Fresher profile than the red of the same range, with Riojan soul and 17% vol. in 75 cl bottle at €12.50 in the official shop. For Vermutpedia, it represents Riojan reserve white vermouth: barrel-aged Viura, twenty-four botanics and balance between herbal freshness and pastry and undergrowth layers documented in the winery's official tasting note.

Nose and palate

The official tasting note describes golden-yellow colour. On the nose it stands out for wild herb aromas, cardamom, lemon and sweet spices, interwoven with elegant herbal notes. On the palate it is subtle and integrated, with a flavour bouquet recalling citrus fruit, pastry, spiced notes and undergrowth. Refreshing, bitter, long finish. Ageing in 500 and 250 litre barrels brings roundness without losing the freshness the house attributes to white versus Gran Reserva Especial red. Silky texture, semisweet sweet-bitter balance, persistence in lemon, cardamom and herbs. The twenty-four botanics — wormwood, gentian, marjoram, cardamom, lemon peel — structure a gastronomic white profile, apt for aperitif and dessert. Compared with lower-tier San Bernabé Reserva, Gran Reserva Especial Blanco offers greater barrel complexity and higher alcohol.

How to serve it

Vermut San Bernabé recommends it as aperitif alone, very cold, with one or two ice cubes and sprigs of rosemary — service enhancing wild herbs and cardamom from the sheet. Also at dessert as accompaniment to sweets, for its pastry register and refreshing finish. Pairs with vinaigrettes, dressed olives, pickles, mussels, clams, smoked fish, sea products and fish — tuna, cod, salmon, anchovies — per official winery recommendations. Works in kitchen and at table as gastronomic Riojan white vermouth, not only bar aperitif. Very cold temperature; avoid excess ice that would dilute 17% vol. and botanical integration. Available at vermutsanbernabe.com with shipping included. For anyone seeking reserve white vermouth with Viura and barrel in La Rioja.

Production context

Licorera Albeldense makes Gran Reserva Especial Blanco in Albelda de Iregua (La Rioja). Elaboration: Riojan Viura, ageing in 500 and 250 litre barrels, maceration with 24 botanics — wormwood, gentian, marjoram, cardamom, lemon peel and rest of selection — fortification and sweetening. 17% vol., 75 cl, €12.50 in official shop. Gran Reserva Especial line completed by homologous red. For Vermutpedia, the white synthesises premium Riojan white vermouth: Viura, barrel, 24 botanics and official tasting verifiable at vermutsanbernabe.com.

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