Viña Pomal, Rioja DOC (Spain) Viura – Malvasia 2017

 From Bodegas Bilbainas, an estate that was founded in 1904, comes this white Rioja blend of Viura and Malvasia grapes.  Viura (known as Macabéo across the border in France) is Rioja’s most important white grape.  A short elevage in barrel lends light spice to the wine while the Viura and Malvasia grapes contribute fruity sweetness.  Bold and buttery, this is a good wine to serve with poultry such as chicken or game hens, and certainly with shrimp.  I recently found it surprisingly tasty with asparagus — a notoriously difficult food to pair with wine.