Today is World Verdejo Day – a day to celebrate one of Spain's great white grape varieties. Discover Verdejo's versatility with top scoring styles from Rueda and beyond.
One of Spain’s most planted white grape varieties, Verdejo is indigenous to the Rueda DO in northern Spain, but is a unique variety grown across the nation.
Youthful Verdejo wines make for the perfect summer aperitif with herby citrus, stone fruit and tropical aromas balanced by mouth-watering acidity. Juicy and refreshing, this popular style of Verdejo is produced to be drunk young.
But the variety offers much more with oaked, oxidised, sweet and fortified styles showing versatility and potential, as evident from the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards.
Scroll down to see award-winning Spanish Verdejo wines from DWWA 2024
Looking at Spanish Verdejo results from the 2024 competition, Rueda was awarded a majority of medals, but award-winning Verdejo wines can be found from Almansa, La Mancha and Castilla y Léon to Toro and Utiel Requena.
With over 100 medals awarded to Spanish Verdejo wines produced in a range of styles, below discover 10 top examples from Decanter World Wine Awards to celebrate World Verdejo Day with.
DWWA 2024: Award-winning Spanish Verdejo wines
Fortified
Hijos De Alberto Gutierrez, De Alberto Dorado, Rueda NV
Platinum, 97 points
An embarrassment of riches, emanating aromatic layers of walnut, dried fruit and caramelised apple. Deeply charismatic and umami-driven with a mouth-coating dryness and moreish velveteen texture which enthrals and glides towards the eternal finish. A memorable experience. Alcohol 17.5%
Still whites
Bodegas R&G, Rolland & Galarreta “Parcela 22-26”, Rueda 2020
Gold, 95 points
Bustling with white nectarines and lemons with a shining veneer of floral perfume. Weighty and textured, emanating wonderful freshness from the sleek mineral and saline glaze. Alc 13%
Blanco Polar, Verdejo, Castilla y Léon 2023
Silver, 91 points
Fresh and citrusy style with notes of lemon peel, quince, apricot skin, pear and almonds. Fresh and vibrant, mineral finish. Alc 13.5%
Finca Montepedroso, Enoteca Verdejo, Rueda 2020
Silver, 91 points
Ripe, almost candied lemon, golden delicious and a touch floral on the nose. Mineral and textural complexity on the palate. Alc 13%
Bodegas Pedro Escudero, The Maker Verdejo, Castilla y Léon 2022
Silver, 90 points
Intense and concentrated on the nose with notes of fennel, grapefruit and lemon curd. Textured and full bodied, delicious. Alc 13.5%
Bodega Cuatro Rayas, Amador Diez Cuvée Verdejo, Rueda 2018
Silver, 90 points
The nose shows touches of exotic spices and ripe apples with smoky and savoury undertones. Densely concentrated fruit, textural palate. Alc 13.3%
Bodegas Marco Real, Verdejo, Rueda 2022
Silver, 90 points
Some mineral character and creamy nuances on the nose, touches of apples and lemons. Refreshing and harmonious on the palate. Alc 13.5%
Garcia-Carrion, Mayor De Castilla Verdejo, Rueda 2023
Silver, 90 points
Intense grassy aromas, with touches of melon, candied banana and passion fruit. Very drinkable, with a light creamy texture. Alc 13%
Palacio De Bornos, Verdejo, Rueda 2023
Silver, 90 points
Restrained on the nose, with notes of orange, pineapple, lemon and touches of flowers. Tasty and fruity, long herbal finish. Alc 13%
Protos, Reserva Verdejo, Rueda 2020
Silver, 90 points
Touches of jasmine, apple and fresh honeydew melon aromas. Expansive palate, with a nettly acidity and pithy finish. Alc 13%
