The white wines of Rioja have been highly sought-after in recent years, enjoyed success at international tastings and competitions, and have regained their previous prominence. Muga Blanco 2022 (91 Parker points) comes from one of the most highly reputed Rioja wineries located in the famous station district of Haro with nearly a century of experience.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
Consumption time
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
Type of bottle
Burgundy
Capacity (cl)
75
General Information
Muga Blanco 2022 is an original blend of Viura (the main grape used in white Rioja wines) and the minority Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía de Rioja varieties. The grapes, from vineyards with calcareous-clay soils in the Oja valley and ferrous-clay soils in the Alto Najerilla area, were picked by hand.
After the skins were lightly macerated with the musts in the press, fermentation took place in wooden vats of different sizes and new, very lightly toasted barrels of French Nevers oak. The wine then spent 4 months on the lees in the same barrels to make it smooth and complex.
Muga (1932) is one of the longest-established and most iconic Rioja wineries. Based in the Station District of Haro, the latest generation of this renowned family carries on producing a range of wines of impressive quality thanks to the thorough work they perform in both vineyard and winery, and the careful selection of barrels made of oak from the best European and American forests. This is also one of the very few Spanish wineries with a cooperage to craft its own barrels.
Muga Blanco 2022 (D.O.Ca. Rioja) is perfect with Ibérico pork appetisers such as ham or loin, and also with grilled fish like baked turbot or amberjack in a tomato and pepper sauce
Creators' opinion
The 2022 vintage of Muga Blanco is an attractive straw-yellow colour. Complex nose with citrus notes like lemon, lemon pie, floral notes (white flowers) and aromas of stone fruit (peach) and even notes of vanilla. Well-balanced acidity on the palate. This is a potent wine with citrus, floral and stone fruit notes that carry through to a very long finish.
The winery
Bodegas Muga is one of the most reliable and recognizable names in Rioja, founded in 1932 by the family that gives it its name: the Muga family, now led by the third generation. Its history began in a modest winery located on a central street in Haro, but in 1970, it inaugurated new facilities in the famous Barrio de la Estación in the same town. Muga is characterized by its commitment to traditional winemaking: gravity racking, egg white fining, and all red wines are made, fermented, and aged in oak (there is no stainless steel in the winery). It is also one of the few Spanish wineries with its own cooperage. However, in the vineyard, it embraces modern technology, monitoring the plants.
It is also distinguished by its mastery of aging, especially long aging, as its red wines exceed the aging times stipulated by the Regulatory Council of the D.O.Ca. Rioja. Its portfolio is divided into two lines: a more classic line with the Muga and Prado Enea range, and a more modern one with Torre Muga and the ‘top’ Aro. These are joined by the new Flor de Muga label, available in white and rosé versions. All of these wines have elegance in their DNA, with outstanding acceptance.
It boasts exceptional vineyards of tempranillo, garnacha, graciano, and mazuelo, located in the valleys of the Oja and Tirón rivers. In these lands, soil and climate come together to offer exceptional conditions for the vine, something the Muga family takes full advantage of to craft their renowned wines.