Telmo Rodriguez Basa Blanco

Right. Telmo Rodriguez is a big deal in Spanish winemaking. He’s been on the block for over 30 years now and has helped change the Spanish wine industry into what it is today. Partnering with Pablo Eguzkiza in the late 80s at Telmo’s family estate in Rioja, Remelluri, the pair led the change in perception towards Spanish wines in the post-Franco industrial era. With blue chip experience in French wineries in Bordeaux and the Rhone, Telmo and Pablo set about exploring Spain and its forgotten regions and abandoned terroirs, intent on re-discovery, re-interpretation and re-invention. They are among the most attentive of Spain’s organic producers exhibiting a deep commitment to authenticity and while embracing modern technology and techniques, traditional winemaking methods are essential to Telmo’s and Pablo’s viticultural identity. To date, T-Rod (as his die-hard fans call him), has farmed 355 little plots under 80 hectares using 43 different varieties of native grapes. And onto Basa Blanco, birthed in 1996 in Rueda from native Verdejo grapes and stony, chalky hills. Basa was a huge success and set a benchmark for the still nascent world of Spanish white wines. 1.5 hours northwest of Madrid, Rueda is located on a 700-800m high sandy-soiled plateau above the Duero river. It has a continental climate with extreme temperatures in summer and winter but also experiences the Atlantic’s cool, damp influence, bringing frequent rain in autumn and spring. The deep, pebbly sand over chalky clay encourages high quality fruit with sufficient soil humidity for the vine to draw on during the hot months of summer. The autochthonous Verdejo has, on Rueda’s sandy soils, evolved into an elegant, spicy variety with gentle acidity. Basa is created from 40 year old, organically grown bush vines at 750m altitude with no additions in the winery bar a small amount of necessary sulphur at bottling. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, the freshness and fruitiness is preserved, giving a crisp, refreshing wine with a tropical, herbaceous pear aroma and a palate brimming with fruit flesh and tingling citrus acidity. The savoury minerality lingers in the finish, adding the perfect balance to the exquisite fruit and zing. This delight is a firm favourite and is a guaranteed sell-outer. Got to be swift with your purchase for this baby. Once again, birds and worms.