September is all about Rueda, the home of Verdejo. We are happy to be collaborating with D.O Rueda and offering you a chance to try two differing styles for only £12!
Each venue will be championing a different producer and a suggested pairing with a tapas dish.*
Battersea – Rey Santo, Javier Sanz, paired with Squid Ink Black Rice w Lemon
Brixton – Vina Oropendola, Campania de Vinedos, paired with King Oyster & Shiitake, Orzo, Fried Sage.
Deptford – Silga Verdejo – Alvarez & Diez, paired with Hake, Salsa Verde & Asparagus
Peckham – Rey Santo, Javier Sanz - paired with Gilthead Bream, Ajoblanco, Burnt Orange.
Tooting - Cimbron Verdejo, Felix Sanz, paired with Chilled Bean Purée w Grilled Artichokes & Piquillo Peppers
* These pairings may be different at the time of your visit as our menus regularly change.
To enjoy this offer simply ask our staff about the Rueda 2 for £12 deal.
You can also choose to redeem it through our app, boosting your points for future treats! If you are not already an app user you can download it here: https://onelink.to/hbkgfb
Varieties of Rueda
The Whites
The Rueda Designation of Origin is one of the few European vineyard areas specialised in making white wine and in the protection and development of its native varietal, Verdejo. The robust personality of Verdejo., the inclusion of other grape varieties, and the vineyards that have learnt to survive in a harsh, almost hostile environment, to give the very best of themselves – this is what defines the wines from Rueda.
The Palomino Fino grape was introduced to the area in the 1930s. This higher-yielding variety was traditionally used for the production of fortified, flor-aged wines similar to Sherry wines, which in those days were in great demand. For this reason, Palomino Fino became the most widely planted grape in the region of Medina del Campo at that time (The Rueda Regulatory Board does not permit new plantings of this variety). It produces light wines with low acidity that are perfect for biological ageing.
The Viura grape perhaps best-known for being Rioja’s white varietal, Viura was introduced into Rueda in the 1950s at a time when white wine was traditionally aged in wooden barrels. The potential of Verdejo had yet to be discovered, and Viura provided a touch of class to the local white wines of the day, which were enjoyed as both fortified wines and popular, everyday-drinking wines.
The Sauvignon Blanc grape, originally from France’s Loire region, was introduced into Spain in the 1970s. It brings a floral element, together with notes of grapefruit and passion fruit, rather than the flinty character found in the Loire Sauvignon Blanc. This difference is due mainly to the greater number of sunshine hours in Rueda, compared with areas such as the Loire Valley or Bordeaux. However, they share the same short vine-growing cycle, which in France is determined by the area’s northern latitude and in Castile by the region’s altitude. The DO Rueda is a pioneer in the adoption of this French varietal, which gives the region a modern, international character.
The Viognier grape was authorised in 2019, this varietal brings stone fruit aromas, honey and touches of Muscat.
The Chardonnay grape was authorised for planting in the region in 2019, it is a variety with medium-low aromatic intensity that brings ripe fruit aromas to the wines. With some age, it can have a buttery, nutty quality.
The Reds:
The DO Rueda has gained worldwide recognition for the excellent quality of its white wines, but it also produces fine reds.
Throughout history, and particularly up to the Phylloxera plague at the end of the 19th century, Rueda has always produced red wines.
The authorised red grape varieties have adapted perfectly to the area and proved capable of producing wines of the highest quality. The main red varietal is Tempranillo, but the other authorised varieties are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot & Syrah.
