Adorado de Menade
Historic Solera 1967 • Rueda
"Bottled memory: an oenological treasure that revives the ancestral tradition of solera wines. A piece of liquid archaeology with an eternal character."
The Rebirth of "Dorado"
Adorado de Menade is not just a wine; it is a journey to Rueda's past. Bodegas Menade has rescued a solera started in 1967 by the Sanz family, bringing the historic "Dorado" style back to life. Through a system of criaderas and soleras, this blend of Verdejo and Palomino Fino develops an oxidative complexity that transcends vintages, offering a profound, saline, and radically different experience from modern white wines.
1. Identity Profile
- Winery: Bodegas Menade (Sanz Family).
- Origin: Rueda, Castile and León, Spain.
- Varietal: Verdejo and Palomino Fino from old vineyards.
- Aging: Solera System (Biological and Oxidative Aging).
- Style: Fortified Wine / Dry Oxidative.
- Volume: 750 ml
2. Sommelier's Notes
Appearance: Amber old gold color with deep coppery reflections. Reveals an imposing glyceric density when swirled in the glass.
Nose: Astonishing complexity. Unfolds notes of noble varnish, toasted nuts (hazelnuts and walnuts), exotic spices, bitter orange peel, and a subtle saline and mineral background.
Palate: Dry, powerful, and with great structure. It has a sharp acidity reminiscent of great amontillados, with a unctuous mouthfeel and an eternal, evocative, and slightly bitter finish.
3. Character Analysis
OXIDATIVE COMPLEXITY [ ● ● ● ● ● ]
PALATE PERSISTENCE [ ● ● ● ● ● ]
STYLE (DRY) [ ● ● ● ● ● ]
OENOLOGICAL RARITY [ ● ● ● ● ● ]
4. Pairing and Serving
Powerful Gastronomy: Premium cured fish such as tuna mojama or coastal anchovies, game escabeches, and toasted nuts.
Artisan Cheeses: Sublime with intense blue cheeses (Cabrales, Roquefort) or a long-aged Comté.
Temperature: Serve between 12°C and 14°C to allow its aromatic layers to fully open.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What makes it different from a young Verdejo?
Everything. While young Verdejo seeks immediate fruit and freshness, Adorado seeks eternity through controlled oxidation and the age of the solera, resulting in a much more complex, dry, and powerful wine.
Does it have an expiration date?
Being a solera wine with a noble degree of oxidation, it is extremely stable. Once opened, it can be perfectly preserved for weeks without losing its qualities.