Index
1- Verdejo
The Verdejo grape is a variety that stands out for its aromaticity and freshness. Made one hundred percent, or with coupages with sauvignon blanc and / or chardonnay and thanks to a strong advertising investment made by the DO Rueda, Verdejo has become the fresh aperitif wine in many areas of Spain.
The Verdejo grape is a variety traditionally grown in north-central Spain, specifically in the Duero region of Rueda. It is currently being planted throughout the peninsula.
2- Description of the Verdejo grape
- Racemes: Small-medium size, compact and with a very short peduncle.
- Berries: small to medium-sized, spherical, with medium-thick skin and large seeds.
- Semi- trawler bearing.
3- Phenology of Verdejo Rueda
Medium sprouting, medium-late maturation, medium cycle.
4- Characteristics of the strains
- Medium vigor
- Medium-low fertility
- Medium-high production.
- Variety with a wide degree of adaptation.
- It tolerates moderate drought well and adapts to not very fertile and stony soils.
- Closer to Macabeo than Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in terms of rusticity and productivity.
- Bleeding problems are attributed to it when it is grafted onto 1103 Paulsen.
5- Poda
Although it has traditionally been conducted in a glass and favorable results are obtained with short pruning, the system that best suits its characteristics and the one that ensures a more satisfactory performance is that of mixed and long pruning.
Due to its size and vegetative growth, the management of vegetation requires attention and trellis conduction systems .
6- Characteristics and potential of Verdejo wine
- Verdejo produces moderately alcoholic wines, with medium-high acidity, and a high tartaric acid / malic acid ratio.
- The wines are structured and glycerid, smooth, tasty and with a persistent bitter aftertaste.
- The wines cover a color range that goes from greenish yellow to straw, with steely tones and a light medium layer.
- The wines provide intense aromas , fruity, with herbaceous nuances, white flowers with bitter tones that give them a marked aromatic typicality, resulting unmistakable.
- Formerly the variety was used to make fortified wines, together with the Palomino variety. Nowadays, excellent young monovarietal wines are made, or mixed with Sauvignon Blanc and Macabeo.
- Its structure allows fermentation and barrel aging.
- More recently, the Verdejo grape variety is also used to make sparkling wines.
