If Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio came together and had a baby, it might be Verdejo. Verdejo has all of the fresh citrus and stone fruit flavors of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but without the “cat pee” aromas and significantly less grassiness. Instead of being in-your-face, its aromatics are more delicate, closer to an Italian Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige.
Verdejo Taste Profile
Verdejo is a light-bodied white wine with bright acidity, fresh minerality, and a clean, dry finish. Its fresh aromatics include citrus (lemon, grapefruit), stone fruit (peach, apricot), tropical (pineapple, melon, mango), and tree fruit (apple, pear). Often, it will have traces of herbal or nutty aromatics as well.
Wine Pairing with Verdejo
With its crisp acidity, juicy citrus and stone fruit flavors, and dry finish, Verdejo makes a versatile partner to a wide variety of dishes. I personally love it with dishes containing fresh flavors. Here are my personal favorite wine pairings with Verdejo.
Vietnamese noodle bowls
Vietnamese noodle bowls with grilled chicken, carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, and nuoc cham sauce
Chipotle-style burrito bowls
Chipotle-style burrito bowls with grilled chicken, tomatoes, corn, avocado, and salsa over cilantro-lime rice
Poke bowls or sashimi
My favorite Verdejo at the moment is Gulp Hablo from Bodegas Parra. It is both biodynamic and organic, and at just $18 for an entire liter (your typical bottle is 750 ml), offers excellent value. It is made in La Mancha, one of Spain’s largest wine regions.
Enjoyed this wine pairing with chili? Check out our other easy, delicious wine pairings and recipes:
