The white wines of Rioja have been highly sought after in recent years, enjoy great success in international tastings and competitions, and have regained their former importance. Muga Blanco 2023 comes from one of the most highly reputed Rioja wineries, located in Haro’s station district and founded nearly a century ago. It was fermented in vats and barrels and aged for 4 months on the lees. Great balance between acidity and volume, hints of citrus fruits, flowers and stone fruits, and a very long finish.
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 2023 is an original blend of Viura (the main ingredient of Rioja whites) and smaller amounts of the native Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía de Rioja varieties. The grapes came from vineyards with calcareous-clay soils in the Oja valley area and ferrous-clay soils in the upper Najerilla area, and were harvested 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 2023 (D.O.Ca. Rioja) is perfect with roast chicken and aubergine lasagna.
Creators' opinion
The 2023 vintage of Muga Blanco is an attractive straw-yellow colour. Complex nose with notes of aniseed, citrus fruit such as lemon and lemon pie, notes of white flowers and even vanilla. Well-balanced acidity on the palate. This is a complex wine in which the citrus, floral and stone fruit notes carry through to the 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.