Vineyard and winemaking
Despierta is a blend of Chardonnay and Viura made by Bodegas Cristo de la Vega in Socuéllamos, La Mancha. The producer’s vineyards lie at around 700 metres above sea level, in a continental climate with hot summers and long, cold winters.
The cooperative combines its growers’ knowledge with modern cellar facilities, including temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Chardonnay and Viura are both represented in this wine; the precise blend proportions are not disclosed.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Pale straw yellow, clear and bright in the glass.
Nose
Ripe pear, melon and Golden Delicious apple lead, with softer notes of banana and white blossom underneath.
Palate
Smooth and lightly creamy in texture, offering flavours of pear, melon and sweet citrus. Soft acidity keeps the wine balanced, with a rounded, approachable character and a gentle finish of lingering orchard fruit.
Food pairing
Its gentle texture makes a comfortable match for smoked haddock fishcakes, roast chicken with lemon and thyme, or macaroni cheese finished with a mustard crumb. For a vegetable-led dish, serve it with a creamy butternut squash and sage risotto.
Background story
The name Despierta translates as “wake up”. The wine is made by Bodegas Cristo de la Vega, a Socuéllamos cooperative established in 1955 by 25 local growers.
Despierta Chardonnay Viura brings together an international white grape and a traditional Spanish variety in an accessible, fruit-led blend.
