Winemaker Notes
While both Verdejo and Malvasía are permitted in the DO Toro they are planted in such minuscule quantities that it makes more sense to look to the neighboring DO Rueda with its wealth of bush vines of Verdejo. Winemaker Vanessa Perez and viticulturist Javier Vicente are working with several small plots of Verdejo planted on sandy soils at an elevation of 800-900 meters above sea level to make Flor de Vetus Verdejo. As is tradition in the region, the vines are hand harvested at night when the temperatures are cold to prevent the natural tendency of Verdejo to become oxidized. Bright, crisp, and refreshing, it walks the line between mineral/citrus flavors and tropical fruit.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A rather lively verdejo with waxed-lemon and sliced green-apple character on the nose and palate. Medium body. Creamy and lively finish. Some minerality to this. Lighter style.
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.