Verdejo
{{Short description|Variety of grape}}
{{Infobox grape variety
| name = Verdejo
| image =
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| color = Blanc
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| species = Vitis vinifera
| also_called =
| origin = Spain
| pedigree0 = Savagnin & Castellana Blanca
| pedigree1 = Savagnin
| pedigree2 = Castellana Blanca
| regions =
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| flowers_sex = Hermaphrodite
| vivc_number = 12949
}}
{{distinguish|Verdelho}}
Verdejo is a variety of wine grape that has long been grown in the Rueda region of Spain. The grape originated in North Africa, and was spread to Rueda in about the 11th Century, possibly by Mozarabs.[http://www.dorueda.com/en/01laverdejo.php?mm=1 "Verdejo"], webpage of {{lang|es|Consejo Regulador Denominación de Origen Rueda}}. Retrieved 2008-03-07. Verdejo was generally used to make a strongly oxidized, Sherry-like wine.
In the mid-20th century, Verdejo almost became extinct, had it not been for the local winegrower Ángel Rodríguez Vidal (Bodega Martinsancho), who opted for this variety and contributed to re-establishing its prominence in the region. In recognition of his work, he was honoured with the Cross of the Order of Agricultural Merit by King Juan Carlos I of Spain.{{Cite web |title=Bodegas Angel Rodríguez |url=http://www.thesortingtable.com/grower/bodegas-angel-rodriguez/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=The Sorting Table |language=en-CA}}
In the 1970s, the winemaking company Marqués de Riscal began to develop a fresher style of white wine based on Verdejo with the help of French oenologist Émile Peynaud.Asimov, Eric (2008). [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/dining/05wine.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink "Wines of the Times: Emerging, in Spain, to Warm Applause"], The New York Times, March 5, 2008. Online version retrieved 2008-03-07. In 1980, white wines from the Rueda region were recognized by a Denominación de Origen (DO). Wines labeled Rueda must contain 50% Verdejo; the remainder is typically Sauvignon blanc or Macabeo. Wines designated "Rueda Verdejo" must contain 85% Verdejo, and are often 100% Verdejo.[http://www.dorueda.com/en/01contras.php?mm=1 "Back labels"], webpage of {{lang|es|Consejo Regulador Denominación de Origen Rueda}}. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
The Verdejo grapes are generally harvested at night. This means that the grapes enter the cellar at the lower night-time temperature of {{convert|10-15|C}} instead of the daytime temperature, which can be as high as {{convert|28-30|C}} in September. Lower temperatures means less oxidation (and therefore less browning) of the juice. [http://www.excelwines.com/blog/do-rueda/ "D.O. Verdejo"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610063225/http://www.excelwines.com/blog/do-rueda/ |date=June 10, 2008 }}, webpage from the Excel Wines website retrieved 27-May-2008. Verdejo wines are aromatic, often soft, and full-bodied.[http://www.winesfromspain.com/icex/cda/controller/pageGen/0,3346,1549487_6763504_6781969_0_0,00.html?currentReg=200 "Wines from Spain: Grape Variety"], webpage from Wines From Spain website retrieved November 16, 2011
History
After the Reconquest of Toledo, the Duero area was repopulated by Asturians, Vascones and Mozarabs. It is probable that the grape was brought from Algaida, in North Africa, along the silver route. The first vines of this variety in Spain were planted in Toro and Tierra del vino and the region of Madrigal de las Altas Torres (hence its name madrigal white) and Rueda during the reign of Alfonso VI (11th–12th centuries).{{Cite web |title=[Material vegetal] - Ministerio - mapa.gob.es |url=https://www.mapa.gob.es/app/MaterialVegetal/fichaMaterialVegetal.aspx |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=www.mapa.gob.es}}