0:00 Introduction
0:35 Episode Overview and First Thoughts on Wine Verdejo
12:20 Episode Overview and First Thoughts on Wine Verdejo
20:56 Verdejo Wines We Chose for This Episode
26:28 2024 Marques de Riscal Rueda Verdejo Verdejo Wine Tasting, Pairing, and Review
32:38 2024 Bodegas Vatan Nisia Old Vines Verdejo Wine Tasting, Pairing, and Review
38:17 The Test: Did we nail the taste profiles expected from Verdejo?
40:49 What is the verdict on Verdejo?
41:31 Wine in the news this week: California bill on 'American' wine labels stalls after beverage company pushback
45:42 Listener Shoutouts
47:30 Wines coming up in future episodes in case you want to drink along with us
47:48 Outro and how to find The Wine Pair Podcast
KEY INSIGHTS & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Is Verdejo wine worth buying?
A. Yes. Both bottles reviewed here score well: Bodegas Vatán Nisia Old Vines Verdejo earned an 8 out of 10 from both tasters, while Marqués de Riscal Rueda Verdejo landed a 7 and an 8. At $14.99 and $19.97, both are approachable, well made whites worth buying for a weeknight dinner or a get-together.
Q. What does Verdejo taste like?
A. Expect a bright, food-friendly white with real range. The Marqués de Riscal Rueda Verdejo leans light and fruity, with apricot, peach, pineapple, and a creamy, half and half finish with a touch of bitterness. The Bodegas Vatán Nisia goes richer and more tropical, with passionfruit, orange, and orange blossom, finishing on orange rind and a pleasant bitterness.
Q. What food pairs well with Verdejo?
A. Both styles pair differently. The lighter, citrusy Marqués de Riscal works well with shellfish, oysters, spaghetti con vongole, and salty foods like hot dogs and fries. The richer, tropical Bodegas Vatán Nisia holds up to spicy Asian food, Thai and Chinese dishes, fried foods, and creamy shellfish sauces. Pick based on how bold you want the meal.
Q. What is Verdejo and where does it come from?
A. Verdejo is a Spanish white grape centered in Rueda, a region in Castilla y León that became Spain's first white wine DO in 1980. Its origin is debated: one theory traces it to North Africa over 1,000 years ago, while DNA testing links it to Savagnin Blanc and Castellana Blanca, suggesting Spanish roots. It's now Spain's most popular white grape.
Q. How is Verdejo different from Sauvignon Blanc?
A. Verdejo has more roundness and weight than Sauvignon Blanc, with rounder citrus and stone fruit instead of Sauvignon Blanc's grassier edge. Some call it the love child of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, since it combines Sauvignon Blanc's aromatics with more food-friendly texture. It was created in 1972 specifically to rival New World Sauvignon Blanc.
Q. Why did Verdejo almost disappear?
A. Phylloxera devastated Verdejo in the 19th century, and when Rueda replanted in the early 1900s, many growers chose the higher yielding Palomino Fino instead, pushing Verdejo toward extinction by the mid-20th century. One grower, Ángel Rodríguez Vidal of Bodega Martinsancho, refused to give up on it and was later honored by King Juan Carlos I for saving the grape.
Send us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode! (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1880401/fan_mail/new)
Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you!
Visit our website, leave a review, and reach out to us: https://thewinepairpodcast.com/
Follow and DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewinepairpodcast/
Send us an email: joe@thewinepairpodcast.com (mailto:joe@thewinepairpodcast.com)