Verdejo
Verdejo, a prominent white wine grape, flourishes in Spain's Rueda region, where it's the most widely grown variety. With medium to high acidity, it's key in the region's sparkling (Rueda Espumoso) and fortified wines. Often likened to Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo stands out, either solo or blended with Viura or Sauvignon Blanc.
Its best expression comes from Rueda's dry, continental climate, benefiting from temperature shifts and poor soils. While there are experimental plantings in Australia and California, global cultivation of Verdejo remains limited compared to its prevalence in Rueda.
Taste
Verdejo yields nuanced white wines with lime, apple, and can be complemented by grass, and fennel aromas. Its finish offers a subtle bitterness akin to a crunchy texture. With aging, it develops toasted almond notes and lively acidity, improving over years in the bottle.
Unlike many white wines, Verdejo exhibits ongoing improvement through several years of bottle-aging and can develop flavors of toasted almond notes and lively acidity, improving over years in the bottle.
Other
Verdejo, known for its delicate, thin skin, requires meticulous winemaking to avoid oxidation and maintain its aromatic freshness. Esteemed for herbaceous, nutty traits, full-bodied Verdejo wines boast balanced acidity and aging potential. In Rueda, winemakers are increasingly experimenting with barrel fermentation, infusing subtle oak and vanilla notes into Verdejo's signature fresh fruit flavors.