Winemaker Notes
José Pariente Verdejo is the most genuine expression of this native grape. The freshest and most elegant creation, made from 30 year old plantations and selected old vineyards. Its aroma reminds us about Rueda mineral gravel soils combined with hints of fennel, anise, white fruit and stone fruit. On the palate it is unctuous, fine and elegant, with a slight touch of bitterness on the finish, typical of Verdejo. A complex and intense wine. Jose Pariente's flagship wine.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A crisp verdejo with fennel, stone and lemon zest aromas. Nervy and medium-bodied with tight linear fruit and a flavorful finish.
Captivating and full of character, Verdejo grows with great success in Rueda, Spain and virtually nowhere else in Europe. It has become so trendy in Spain since the turn of the century that plantings have also increased tremendously. Somm Secret—Contrary to what some may think, it is actually not related to the Portugese variety with a very similar name, Verdelho. In fact, DNA profiling suggests it may be a sibling of Godello, another native of NW Spain.
Rueda is located along the banks of the Duero River in Spain’s Castilla y León region, just a 2-hour drive north of Madrid. While winemaking in this area goes back to the 12th century, it was in the 1980s that the region was granted Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status. Today, more than 70 wineries call Rueda home. This national favorite is the top-selling white wine in Spain.
Notable facts Rueda’s main grape variety, Verdejo, gets it distinct complexity from stressful growing conditions and mineral-rich soil. Think of Verdejo as a fuller-bodied and more aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. A lush and smooth character with perfectly balanced acidity means Rueda wines pair well with seafood, fresh salads and spicy food, but are also great on their own.