In the glass
Aroma: white peach, citrus, fennel, subtle toast, mineral
Palate: stone fruit, citrus, creamy texture, saline
A barrel-fermented modern white Rioja from old Viura with field varieties: textured, savoury and mineral, showing the estate's hand with whites.
What it pairs with
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Bacalao al pil pil
Find bacalao al pil pil on TableJourney →
Salt cod's emulsified oil meets the white's creamy texture. -
Kokotxas de merluza
Find kokotxas de merluza on TableJourney →
Hake cheeks in pil pil echo the wine's saline richness. -
Roast hake
Oven hake handles the barrel-fermented depth.
How to serve Predicador Blanco
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a smaller all-purpose white glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Bacalao al pil pil, Kokotxas de merluza, Roast hake. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Predicador Blanco is the estate's barrel-fermented white, made from old Viura with a little Garnacha Blanca and Malvasia.
- 2008 — Predicador Blanco introduced
Facts
- Producer
- Bodega Contador
- Grapes
- Viura (70%), Garnacha Blanca (15%), Malvasia Riojana (15%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Fermented and aged in French oak with lees work
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 18 to 30 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3 to 12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2008
Scores
- Tim Atkin 92 (2020 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Predicador Blanco
What does Predicador Blanco taste like?
On the nose, white peach, citrus, fennel, subtle toast, mineral. On the palate, stone fruit, citrus, creamy texture, saline. Structurally medium-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. A barrel-fermented modern white Rioja from old Viura with field varieties: textured, savoury and mineral, showing the estate's hand with whites.
When should I drink Predicador Blanco?
Drink 3 to 12 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Predicador Blanco?
Bacalao al pil pil is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Kokotxas de merluza and Roast hake. Salt cod's emulsified oil meets the white's creamy texture.
Is Predicador Blanco vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Predicador Blanco?
The blend is Viura (70%), Garnacha Blanca (15%), Malvasia Riojana (15%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.