Overview
Verdejo is a white grape from Spain that is often compared to Sauvignon Blanc and many times blended with it. This grape is versatile in that it can make 3 notably different styles of wine. It’s lightest expression is a fresh, dry wine with high acidity and pronounced stone fruit flavors. This grape can also undergo skin-contact and oak barrel fermentation, where it can pick up richer and rounder complex notes with a fuller body. Thirdly, Verdejo is used in the production of Sherry wines when it is exposed to high amounts of oxygen.
This grape produces a light and refreshing dry wine with medium-high acid and medium-high alcohol. It has fresh primary fruit flavors of lime, lemon, peach, melon, and grapefruit. It also displays subtle notes of blossom, fennel and grass. When aged in oak, it can pick up additional richer notes of almond and honey.
Food Pairings
Verdejo pairs with a array of entrees including fish tacos, shell fish, shrimp scampi and light/non-fatty seafood. Due to its acidity, it also compliments salads with vinaigrette dressings and foods with a splash of lime. Verdejo is also enjoyed along sides like roasted veggies, flavorful Spanish tapas, and Spanish cheeses like Manchebo and Pecorino.
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