Vega Sindoa Unoaked Chardonnay 24

I've always had a soft spot for Vega Sindoa wines. Long before I called Asheville home and started working with Eberhard at the shop, I would frequently make a pilgrimage to the AWM to stock up on all of the vinous goodies I couldn't find across the border in Tennessee. Even way back then, Vega Sindoa—and especially their super-juicy, über-expressive Tempranillo—was a consistent go-to on my shopping list.

Situated in northern Spain, Navarra is a wine region that sits quietly in the shadow of Rioja, its famous neighbor across the Ebro River to the west. While Rioja's reputation relies primarily on robust reds made from Tempranillo, Navarra delivers a delightful diversity of other vinous options. Nestled between Rioja and the Pyrenees Mountains, Navarra has the advantage of diverse terrain and climates, providing vignerons with a broad palette of robust reds, bright rosés, and refreshing whites.

Unlike its famous neighbor, Navarra embraces a range of international grape varietals. The region's vignerons are free to blend local grapes like Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Viura with international varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. This extra flexibility with varietals, Navarra's cooler climate, and diverse soil structure allows them to create beautifully balanced wines with a tip of the hat to tradition while embracing innovation.

Nestled in the picturesque Nekeas Valley, Bodegas Nekeas is a picture postcard of rolling vineyards and ancient olive groves. The estate benefits from a unique microclimate largely shaped by cool northern breezes descending from the Pyrenees. These refreshing winds temper the valley's punishing summer heat, providing ideal growing conditions for both grapes and olives.

A large part of Bodegas Nekeas' recipe for international success was thanks to the legendary Spanish importer Jorge Ordóñez. Jorge is best known for introducing super-vibrant and approachable Spanish wines to the U.S. market. Ordóñez was one of the first importers to champion many of Spain's lesser-known wine regions, and Bodegas Nekeas was one of the first estates in Navarra to benefit from his advocacy.

In your glass, Vega Sindoa Unoaked Chardonnay offers bright, crisp aromas of green apple and fresh pear, framed by a lovely hint of citrus zest. It's refreshingly clean and vibrant all through the middle palate, finishing with gentle minerality that keeps things lifted and lively. Thanks to the stainless steel aging, the pure, unoaked fruit takes center stage.

This unoaked Chardonnay pairs brilliantly with classic Navarra cuisine, especially grilled white asparagus with lemon and Manchego or sautéed trout. If you're feeling more adventurous, enjoy it with spicier fare like shrimp tacos, Thai basil stir-fries, or even sushi rolls featuring avocado or cucumber.