Winemaker Notes
This wine displays a nose of fruits and floral notes, with a hint of stone fruits and grapefruit. Well-structured on the palate, it displays mineral notes, marzipan and spices with a refreshing acidity and a long finish where its minerality is exhibited.
Ideal to pair with cooked seafood, shellfish, light pasta in salads or with marinara sauce, smoked sausages, white meat and semi-cured cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2022 Verdejo Shaya Organic originates from Rueda, with 30% fermented and aged for up to four months in French oak barrels. Displaying a yellow hue with a greenish sheen, its aromatic profile features notes of vanilla and white flowers, complemented by a subtle hint of fennel. Ample, creamy and refreshing on the palate, it lingers with concentrated fruit flavors and a well-managed barrel influence.
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.