V. T. VALLES DE SADACIA THE WHITE REVOLUTION IS HERE PRESS KIT Valles de Sadacia . The White revolution in the land with name of wine 1. What is Valles de Sadacia? Valles de Sadacia is a Protected Geographical Indication of quality wines which comprises only white wines within the limits of the Autonomous Community of La Rioja. In March 2003, Valles de Sadacia decided to firmly commit to a market which is around 50% of the global wine market; with the belief that La Rioja is a land with excellent qualities for making quality white wines and that the current consumer is seeking fresh, fruity and aromatic wines. After a six year trajectory with notable success within the market, Valles de Sadacia has been the greatest revolution in white wines in the entire history of La Rioja . It has produced different reactions within La Rioja's wine industry and has opened an important debate regarding market possibilities in relation to white wine; a debate which a few months ago has lead to the approval by the Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja - Rioja's Qualified Designation of Origin - of incorporating new white varieties, this being the first time new varieties have been incorporated since its creation in 1925. Valles de Sadacia has bet for a varietal catalogue that includes the most recognized white varieties worldwide. It started recovering the Muscat à Petits Grains, a local variety lost to the phylioxera. Now Muscat à Petits Grains is showing all its potential with fresh and fruity wines, adapted to the taste of today’s consumers. On the other hand, new varieties have been introduced such as Albariño or Verdejo together with other international varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Riesling o Gewürztraminer , some of which are still in an experimental stage Valles de Sadacia . The White revolution in the land with name of wine History of a revolution In the last quarter of the 20th Century, the Autonomous Community of La Rioja has suffered a continuous decrease in plantation area regarding white varieties in La Rioja , which went from 9,065 Ha. to 4,024 Ha. Taking into consideration the loss of market share of its white wines, wineries and wine growers chose to focus all their efforts in growing and making red wines, which had proven strength in defending the market. Due to this tendency, the importance of whites went from 23% to 7% between 1985 and 2005, whereas the DOC went from 30,206 to 56,569 hectares of land for cultivation. The main reason isn't, as many have thought, that La Rioja is a bad land for whites, but that the majority of local white varieties lack the necessary features to grow the types of white wines the current consumer is looking for , fruity and aromatic wines . Aware of this fact, due to the importance of the white wine in the global market (which is around 50% ), and convinced of the enormous potential of La Rioja to be among the elite as far as white wines are concerned, José Miguel Arambarri Terrero committed to the idea, and together with the Regional Government of La Rioja, started the project which would later lead to Valles de Sadacia. The greatest revolution in white wines in the entire history of La Rioja . The first step was the recovery of a local variety, the Muscat à petits grains, lost 100 years ago due to phylioxera but kept alive for making sweet whites thanks to Gabriel Pérez Marzo. In March 2003, it was launched as part of the Indication of Vinos de la Tierra de Valles de Sadacia , an indication created as an authentic boost for white wines in our Community, specializing solely in white wines , and with a singular and differentiated, quality and innovative image. Its geographical limits currently cover four of the seven valleys in La Rioja: Iregua, Leza, Cidacos and Alhama, but its natural limits cover all the municipalities with qualities to grow white varieties in the Autonomous Community of La Rioja; these include a great number of villages not covered by DOC Rioja. Valles de Sadacia . The White revolution in the land with name of wine Valles de Sadacia is, after all, a historic opportunity to generate wealth in the region , from farmers to winemakers to the everyday citizen, focusing mainly on areas not included in DOC Rioja, which survive with less profitable crops, and where white varieties of Valles de Sadacia could cause a revolution in its local economies. Valles de Sadacia . The White revolution in the land with name of wine 2. Values of Valles de Sadacia - Young, fresh and dynamic . The revolutionary and innovative proposal, which focuses on new market tendencies and the creation of value for the final consumer, gives way to a denomination which creates sympathy among younger generations with a more open mind, as well as among consumers anxious to enjoy new initiatives which to identify with. - 100% FROM LA RIOJA . Valles de Sadacia, as it belongs entirely to the Autonomous Community of La Rioja, only answers to its interests . On the other hand, Valles de Sadacia, by only including land in La Rioja, is directly dependant on the Regional Government , and not the national Government, granting it much more freedom, agility and efficiency in regard to the development of regulations and goal achievement. - Open and plural . Since the moment of its creation, Valles de Sadacia has been open to the incorporation of new entrepreneurs, farmers and winemakers to participate in its dynamic and future vision, contributing to the creation of a denomination with greater entity and repercussion. - Agile, efficient and focused towards quality . The low number of members which it currently features, enables a swiftly strive forward in the achievement of goals, regulation development and working, at the same time, in a long term strategic sense. Likewise, this smaller size also helps in obtaining quality and homogeneity which confers a good name and prestige to the DO, allowing it to become a leading reference in white wines. Valles de Sadacia . The White revolution in the land with name of wine 3. Varieties allowed in Valles de Sadacia Following the aforementioned consumer tendencies, and with the objective of elaborating wines with these features, Valles de Sadacia has selected the most renowned white varieties worldwide . On the one hand, it has recovered the most delicate variety, Muscat à Petits Grains - a local variety lost to the phylioxera - and, on the other hand, new varieties have been introduced such as Albariño or Verdejo together with other international varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Riesling o Gewürztraminer , some of which are still in an experimental stage. The presentation of Valles de Sadacia dry wines, which are a mixture of local varieties (Viura and Malvasía) as well as the local but reintroduced Muscat à Petits Grains, has opened a new world of possibilities for existent local varieties, securing its future, previously uncertain. A real recovery in the interest for white existent varieties can be noticed among farmers, following a regressive stage due to the picking and massive migration towards red varieties. This change in tendency has been noticeable in the price upturn of the white grape , while the price of red is suffering a significant depreciation. In addition, since this year 2009, the rest of varieties introduced have become productive, such as Verdejo, Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Sauvignon blanc, and experimental varieties Albariño and Viognier, which will allow Valles de Sadacia to continue being an innovating pioneer. Valles de Sadacia . The White revolution in the land with name of wine 4. What kind of wines can be made in Valles de Sadacia? Little by little, thanks to the sublime grape varieties which can be found in the Valles de Sadacia, the project has developed a wide range of wines which seek to satisfy the different tastes of the many white wine devotees, ranging from dry, fresh and aromatic through elegant, soft and fruity to delicious sweet wines made with late harvested grapes. The project of new regulations of Denomination of Origen is considering to extend this collection of wines with sparkling white wines and different kind of low alcohol white wines following the last market trends for quality white wines. Valles de Sadacia . The White revolution in the land with name of wine 5. Wineries -Castillo de Maetierra The only winery in La Rioja specializing in white wines. It has created a collection of elegant and delicate wines, but at the same time, capable of surprising due to its colour, aroma and taste, from dry, fresh and aromatic whites, and elegant semi-dry smooth and fruity wines, to delicious late harvest sweet wines. While the Libalis collection resulted in a market revolution, it is currently about to launch the Monovarietal collection; featuring wines made 100% from varieties which have never before been worked with in La Rioja, such as Albariño, Verdejo, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Riesling or Gewürztraminer. www.castillodemaetierra.com Valles de Sadacia . The White revolution in the land with name of wine -Bodegas Peñuela Bodegas Peñuela currently makes two wines in Valles de Sadacia. -Riberas de Marco Fabio. Sweet Muscat (100% Muscat à Petits Grains) -Marco Fabio. Semi-dry Muscat (100% Muscat à Petits Grains) www.ontanon.es Valles de Sadacia . The White revolution in the land with name of wine FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: COMUNICATION VALLES DE SADACIA [email protected] 00 34 941 490 280 www.vallesdesadacia.com .