{"title":"Verdejo","description":"\u003ch2\u003eVerdejo wine: the white grape that made Rueda famous\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVerdejo is the signature white grape of Rueda, the stretch of high, stony plateau along the Duero river in Castilla y León. It is thought to have reached the area from North Africa around the 11th century, and for a long time it went into heavy, oxidised, sherry-like wines. Until the 1970s Rueda was mostly planted with Palomino for fortified wine that never travelled far.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe turn came in 1972, when Marqués de Riscal, already famous in Rioja, bought vineyards in Rueda to make white wine. Working with the French oenologist Émile Peynaud, the bodega started picking Verdejo early, fermenting it cool and bottling it young, with no oak. That crisp, aromatic style is what put Rueda on the map, and the region became a Denominación de Origen in 1980. Browse the wider shelf of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/castilla-y-leon\"\u003ewines from Castilla y León\u003c\/a\u003e to see Verdejo next to the reds of Ribera del Duero and Toro.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Verdejo tastes like, and why it is picked at night\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood Verdejo smells of fresh herbs, fennel and cut grass, with citrus, green apple and sometimes white peach underneath. On the palate it has more texture than its zesty nose suggests, and many wines finish with a faint bitter note that tasters often compare to almonds. It keeps the wine savoury rather than simply fruity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grape oxidises easily, so in Rueda the harvest is often done at night, when it is cool and the fruit reaches the cellar fresh. Summers on the plateau are hot and nights are cold, and that swing is what keeps the acidity lively. If you like \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/sauvignon-blanc\"\u003eSauvignon Blanc\u003c\/a\u003e, Verdejo is an easy next step: similar green, zesty aromatics, but rounder and with that gentle bitter twist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrom young and crisp to lees and barrel\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot every Verdejo is a light summer white. Marqués de Riscal's Finca Montico is a good example: a single vineyard of bush vines more than 40 years old on the stony terraces above the Duero, farmed organically and made entirely from Verdejo. After fermentation the wine rests on its fine lees for several months and is stirred regularly, which gives it more body, a smoother texture and better staying power in bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAalto, best known for its Ribera del Duero reds, takes the idea further with its Blanco de Parcela from the Fuente de las Hontanillas plot. The vines grow on limestone above 850 metres in Quintanilla de Arriba, and Verdejo leads a blend with Albillo and Godello. The wine is aged in 500 litre oak barrels and released as Castilla y León rather than Ribera del Duero. Expect citrus zest, herbs and a smoky, chalky finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFood pairing with Verdejo\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung, unoaked Verdejo is made for tapas: grilled prawns, boquerones, padrón peppers, salads with goat's cheese and anything with lemon and herbs. It also copes well with asparagus and artichoke. The richer lees and barrel styles can take roast chicken, creamy rice dishes, white fish in butter sauce and semi-cured sheep's cheese. For another Spanish white with a coastal personality, try \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/albarino\"\u003eAlbariño from Galicia\u003c\/a\u003e, or explore all \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/spain\"\u003eSpanish wine\u003c\/a\u003e and our full range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/white-wine\"\u003ewhite wine\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eVerdejo FAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does Verdejo wine taste like?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh and herbal, with citrus, green apple and fennel, a medium body and a slightly bitter, almond-like finish. Oak and lees-aged versions add texture, nutty notes and a smoky edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Verdejo the same grape as Verdelho?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The names look alike, but Verdelho is a different variety best known from Madeira and Australia, and Verdicchio is an Italian grape. Verdejo is Spanish and is at home in Rueda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference between Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth are aromatic, green and zesty, and Rueda grows both. Verdejo usually has a rounder texture, less piercing acidity and a gentle bitter note on the finish, while Sauvignon Blanc is sharper and more overtly grassy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan Verdejo age?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost young Verdejo is best within a year or two of the vintage. Old-vine, lees-aged and barrel-fermented wines can develop well for several years, gaining notes of nuts, honey and toast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","products":[{"product_id":"marques-de-riscal-finca-montico-2021","title":"Marques de Riscal Finca Montico 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eMarqués de Riscal is one of Rioja’s most iconic names, and this 2021 Finca Montico shows why the estate remains so highly regarded. Crafted in a modern, fruit-driven style, it combines ripe depth, polished tannins, and the kind of balance that has made the producer a benchmark in Spanish wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, this wine shows a deep, inviting color with a youthful sheen. The nose is layered with dark cherry, vanilla, and a subtle cocoa powder character, giving way to a plush, generous palate where ripe fruit and sweet oak notes are woven together with soft, well-integrated tannins.\n\nThe overall impression is one of richness and ease, with plenty of concentration and a smooth, contemporary profile. It is enjoyable now, yet has the structure to continue developing gracefully over the next 10–12 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSourced from Finca Montico in Rioja, this wine reflects the region’s celebrated terroir, where climate and soils help preserve freshness while encouraging ripe, expressive fruit. The grapes are harvested with care and vinified to emphasize purity and texture, followed by maturation in American oak to add spice, vanilla, and a rounded, supple finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a versatile red that pairs especially well with roast lamb, grilled beef, braised short ribs, or mushroom dishes with depth and richness. Serve at 16–18°C and consider a short decant of 30–60 minutes if drinking young, to help the wine open and show its full aromatic range.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarqués de Riscal is one of the historic pillars of Rioja, with a long-standing reputation for innovation and quality. The estate has played an important role in shaping the region’s international image, and its wines are known for combining tradition with a modern, polished style. Over the years, Marqués de Riscal has earned global recognition as one of Spain’s most influential producers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Marques de Riscal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54252801753425,"sku":"PS-15918633943420","price":21.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/MarquesdeRiscalFincaMontico2021R.png?v=1783446857"},{"product_id":"aalto-blanco-fuente-de-las-hontanillas-2023","title":"Aalto Blanco Fuente de las Hontanillas 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eAalto Blanco Fuente de las Hontanillas 2023 is a serious, characterful white from Castilla y León that shows the precision and depth Aalto is known for. Made mainly from old Verdejo vineyards high above sea level, with small additions of Godello and Albillo, it combines freshness, structure, and subtle oak complexity in a very refined style.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, it shows a bright, clean profile with an attractive pale straw color. The nose is expressive and layered, bringing ripe pear and apple together with gentle spicy and toasted notes from time spent in 500-liter oak barrels.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is direct and fresh, with lively acidity and a generous, textured structure that gives it real presence. It feels precise yet broad, with enough depth to suggest good short- to medium-term aging, where its fruit and oak-derived complexity should continue to integrate nicely.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe wine comes from Verdejo vineyards in Fuente de las Hontanillas, in Quintanilla de Arriba, Valladolid, at more than 850 meters above sea level. This elevated terroir in Castilla y León helps preserve freshness and aromatic intensity, while the small proportions of Godello and Albillo add nuance and complexity. Vinification includes aging in 500-liter oak barrels, which contributes the wine’s spicy, refined background notes without overshadowing the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an excellent match for roasted poultry, creamy fish dishes, shellfish, and richer vegetable preparations such as mushroom risotto or asparagus with butter sauce. Serve it well chilled, ideally around 10–12°C, and consider a short decant if you want to open up its oak spice and layered aromatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAalto is one of the standout names in modern Spanish wine, especially in Castilla y León, where it has built a strong reputation for producing wines of depth, elegance, and clear site expression. Known for its meticulous vineyard work and polished winemaking, the producer has become highly regarded among collectors and white wine lovers alike for its commitment to quality and precision.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aalto","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54252863422801,"sku":"FW-9992","price":74.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/Aalto.png?v=1783447427"},{"product_id":"aalto-blanco-de-parcela-2022","title":"Aalto Blanco De Parcela 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eAalto Blanco de Parcela 2022 is a remarkably rare white wine from one of Ribera del Duero’s most respected producers, made for the first time by Mariano García and released in just a tiny production of around 3,000 bottles. Crafted entirely from Verdejo and aged in oak, it brings Aalto’s hallmark precision and ambition to a new and highly limited white cuvée.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe wine shows a bright, polished appearance and a pronounced, expressive nose of ripe tropical fruit, citrus, and a subtle nutty character from oak aging. On the palate it is full-bodied and creamy, with impressive intensity, well-managed alcohol, and a refined mineral finish that adds freshness and length.\n\nDespite its richness, the wine remains balanced and elegant, with enough structure to develop further in bottle. It has strong aging potential and should gain additional depth and complexity over the next several years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAalto Blanco de Parcela is made from 100% Verdejo sourced from Aalto’s own vineyards in Castilla y León, within the broader Ribera del Duero area. The wine is fermented and then matured for 9 months in oak barrels, which helps build texture, complexity, and a discreet toasted character while preserving the grape’s natural freshness and mineral drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a versatile but serious white wine that pairs beautifully with rich seafood, lobster, grilled prawns, roast chicken, creamy risotto, and white meats with sauce. It is best served slightly chilled, around 10–12°C, and generally does not require decanting, though a short period in the glass can help reveal its full aromatic expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBodegas Aalto is one of the most acclaimed names in Spanish wine, best known for powerful, refined red wines from Ribera del Duero. Founded with a clear focus on quality and terroir, the estate has earned a strong reputation under the guidance of Mariano García, one of Spain’s most respected winemakers. Aalto Blanco de Parcela marks a rare and noteworthy expansion into white wine, underscoring the producer’s ability to create exceptional wines beyond its celebrated reds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aalto","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54254891401553,"sku":"FW-7644","price":74.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/aalto-blanco-de-parcela-1786084_1.png?v=1783455380"}],"url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/collections\/verdejo.oembed","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}