Winemaker Notes
Bright yellow straw color, with green hints that reflect its youth. Medium intensity on the nose, a bit fresher but slightly less complex than traditional Verdejo. Citrus notes, along with green apple and herbs appear. Dry with good acidity, but with good roundness and structure brought by the 2 months’ fine lees aging. Long finish with a slightly bitter palate, where the apple and herbal notes appear.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Lemons, green pears, honeydew melon and herbs on the nose. It's medium-bodied with tangy acidity and a fruity, zesty character. Tangy citrus pith to close.
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.