Verdejo
Verdejo is a relatively uncommon grape variety grown almost exlusively in Spain. If you like your dry and refreshing white wines such as Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, then things are looking good for you if ever find yourself with a glass of Verdejo! Certinaly one to bring you that feeling of summer freshness.
Verdejo Tasting Notes
Lime
Lemon
Grapefruit
Grass
Fennel
The refreshing style of Verdejo also comes with a swath of subtly complex fruit flavours. Big hints of citrus are particularly prevalent, with notes of lime and grapefruit leading the way. More herbaceous notes of fennel and grass often linger in the background, as do stone fruit flavours often found in warmer climate white wines. Aged Verdejos develop nutty complexities and are more medium-bodied than the more commonly unoaked style.
Verdejo Wine Style
Dry and Fragrant White Wine
Dry SweetVerdejo produces light-bodied white wines which are very drinkable in style, offering palate cleansing dryness and high acidity which adds a fairly rare ageing potential found among whites. Whilst comparisons are made with Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo is still unique in its own right. Next time you’re holidaying in Spain, look out for it on the local restaurant wine list – well worth a try.
Wine Regions
Spain
Castilla y León has the most acreage under vine of the Verdejo variety than anywhere else in the world. Most of these vines are found specifically in the Rueda DO, which is roughly 170km northwest from Madrid, and close to the region’s capital city Valladolid. Here sandy soils play host to many indigenous 100 year old bush vines which the Spanish have become protectively proud of.
What Food Goes with Verdejo?
As palate cleansing wines go, this would certainly be among the very top choices. Due to the dominance of lime coming through most Verdejos, a safe bet would be to pair with coconut-based dishes, such as Thai curries, or Mexican dishes where lime is commonly used.
