READ · COMPARE · EXPLAIN
López de Heredia: White wine blends and extended barrel aging
This producer is located in Haro, Rioja, Spain. The Gravonia and Tondonia Whites, made using estate-grown Viura, undergo several years of barrel aging followed by further bottle maturation. You can learn in detail how white wines are crafted with time and patience.
We’ll compare the blend and maturation of Viña Gravonia and Viña Tondonia White. Separate the officially designated aging classifications from the actual periods used by the producer.
Questions for this course
How many years do white Crianza and Reserva actually spend in barrel?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓R. López de Heredia / Learn by producer
Spain / Rioja / Haro
Aliases & spellings: Lopez de Heredia / López de Heredia Viña Tondonia
Update date: 2026-09-24
Whites made from Viura alone and from blends of two varieties
Viña Gravonia is 100% Viura, while Viña Tondonia White Reserva is 90% Viura and 10% Malvasía. Both use estate-grown grapes. Viura is another name for Macabeo. Even among whites dominated by the same main variety, there are differences between single-varietal and blend.
4 years and 6 years in barrel.
The official product description states Gravonia is aged 4 years in barrels, and Tondonia White Reserva for 6 years. These numbers are the periods as stated by the producer for each wine. Do not assume that all producers adopt the same aging durations based only on the Crianza or Reserva designation.
Treatment before bottling
Both descriptions state that the wine is racked twice per year, clarified with egg whites, and bottled unfiltered. Bottling unfiltered does not mean no clarification of any kind. By distinguishing racking, clarification, and filtration, you can avoid skipping process steps based on short label terms.
Add vineyard and blend to differences in aging
For these two wines, not only time in barrel but also the raw materials and blends associated with each label differ. Additionally, the product pages do not specify vintages. When comparing bottles from the same year, check vintage-specific materials, and do not attribute aromatic differences only to the two-year barrel difference.
What to align and what to compare.
Blending
- Conditions to standardize
- Viura-based white
- Conditions for comparison.
- 100% and 90% plus 10% Malvasia
- Additional points to confirm
- Check the synonym Macabeo
Time
- Conditions to standardize
- Aging in barrel
- Conditions for comparison.
- 4 years and 6 years
- Additional points to confirm
- Different from the minimum requirements for labeling categories.
Processing
- Conditions to standardize
- Racking and egg white fining
- Conditions for comparison.
- Clarification and filtration are separate processes
- Additional points to confirm
- Do not equate unfiltered with unfined
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Reading López de Heredia’s materials: blending and long barrel maturation of white wines
Verify the ingredients and processes in the materials and consider reasons for differences.
The numbers are based on documentation from the indicated year, or the product description at the time of confirmation. Descriptions without a vintage do not guarantee specifications for all vintages.
| Comparison items | Gravonia Crianza | Tondonia White Reserva |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | 100% Viura | 90% Viura, 10% Malvasia |
| Barrel aging. | 4 years | 6 years |
| Racking and fining | Racked twice per year; fined with egg whites. | Racked twice per year; fined with egg whites. |
| Bottling | Unfiltered | Unfiltered |
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Read the explanation for each question
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Which white wine is made only from Viura?
Gravonia is made from 100% Viura, while Tondonia Blanco includes 10% Malvasía. After looking at the common main variety, confirm the rest of the composition as well.
What can be inferred from ‘unfiltered’?
This producer mentions both clarification and unfiltered processing. Removing compounds through fining and straining through a filter medium are different processes, so this is not a contradictory statement.
What do the numbers 4 and 6 years refer to?
Figures in the product explanation apply to the process for each individual product. Do not re-use them to indicate appellation minimums or time in bottle.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Compare the raw materials and processes in the documentation, and explain the choices made by the producer.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Gravonia Crianza | Tondonia White Reserva |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | 100% Viura | 90% Viura, 10% Malvasia |
| Barrel aging. | 4 years | 6 years |
| Racking and fining | Racked twice per year; fined with egg whites. | Racked twice per year; fined with egg whites. |
| Bottling | Unfiltered | Unfiltered |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Compare the blends and barrel maturation of both wines, and use this example to explain the difference between 'unfiltered' and 'unfined.'
Check after writing
- Did you match Viura with Macabeo?
- Did you distinguish between the product's period and its regulations?
- Did you separate clarification and filtration as individual processes?
Save response to explanation task
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