From: Rueda, Spain
Varietal: Verdejo
Taste: This bright and intense wine carries aromas of green apple, pear, and pineapple, with floral notes and a hint of herbs. The bouquet is incredibly refreshing and crisp, perfectly balancing fruitiness and herbaceousness. As the wine opens, additional notes of lemon and lime emerge, adding a zesty citrus element to the nose and palate. The flavors of green apple and pineapple on the nose carry through to the palate, along with a hint of grapefruit, lime, and fresh-cut grass.
Pairing: This vibrant, refreshing white wine with crisp acidity is an excellent pairing partner for many dishes. Some ideas include serving this with seafood dishes like grilled shrimp, scallops (we’re sharing a saffron risotto recipe with scallops below), or ceviche. Light and crisp salads that incorporate citrus, fresh herbs, and youthful goat cheese or avocado, roasted or grilled chicken served with a light herb or citrus-based sauce, paella, spaghetti with lemon and herbs or linguine with garlic and olive oil are other fantastic pairing ideas.
Saffron Risotto With Scallops
By Florence Fabricant
About. This Rueda Verdejo DO is made from 100% Verdejo grapes grown in the Rueda region of Spain. Rueda is located in the west of Spain (pretty close to Portugal) and is famous for its white wines, known for their crisp acidity and fresh fruit flavors. Verdejo is the region's most widely planted grape varietal and is known for producing wines with intense aromas of citrus, tropical fruits, and herbs. Imagine, say, Chardonnay minus the “buttery, oaky” flavors combined with Sauvignon Blanc but without the “instant heartburn” of the varietal. Food pairing heaven!
