From: Rueda, Spain
Varietal: Verdejo
Taste: Imagine if you took the best parts of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, and mixed them together. That’s what this exceptionally versatile white wine tastes like. Fresh, bright (but not heartburn inducing), rich and dry with uplifting citrus and herbaceous notes that keep away from overly grassy aromas and lean toward fresh garden herbs and spearmint. Then, those initial impressions make way to richer aromas and flavors of stone fruits like peach and nectarine mixed with pear and a hint of melon (without any buttery or oaky flavors present) and moves to a lithe, lingering finish.
Pairing: “Young Verdejos are bright and citrusy, a good match for foods such as seafood and salads. Unlike many other wines they’re not fazed by tomatoes, asparagus or sharp vinaigrettes. They can deal with raw onion, olives and punchy sauces like allioli (garlic mayonnaise) and pair well with dishes with aromatic herbs such as dill and coriander. They pair particularly well with grilled and fried fish – think grilled sardines, calamari and chipirones or even grilled octopus. Rueda is a natural go to with shellfish such as mussels and clams or with a selection of seafood-based tapas (check out the recipe below!)– in fact it’s a great wine to take on a beach picnic. You could also drink it with Mexican dishes such as guacamole, salsa fresca (fresh tomato salsa) and super-popular tacos or with the bright flavors of Asian noodle salads – it can handle a bit of fresh chilli. Like Sauvignon Blanc it also has an affinity with fresh cheeses such as goats cheese, feta and pecorino – you could drink it with a Greek salad for example or a spanakopita (cheese and spinach pie).” - Courtesy of the Decanter staff in partnership with DO Rueda.
Red Pepper Crab Croquetas With Garlic-Almond Sauce
By David Tanis
5 Fun Facts about Rueda & Verdejo:
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Rueda has the most female winemakers in Spain
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Rueda produces the number one selling Spanish white wine
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The wine is vibrant and refreshing, making it a perfect food wine
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The best quality Verdejos from Rueja can age 5-10 years and develop complex nuiassances with age
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Sustainability in wine is a core practice here and has always been central to their identity
- excerpt above from the article “Rueda Wine: Your Guide to Spain’s Best Verdejo” by winewithpaige.com, September 23, 2022.
Rueda 101 – A Guide To Rueda Verdejo White Wine
by VinePair in partnership with DO Rueda
