Vetus Flor de Vetus Verdejo 2020
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2021-
Suckling
James
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Suckling
James
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Enthusiast
Wine
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Wong
Wilfred
Bodegas Vetus was created in 2003 with the purchase of a 20 hectare property by the Anton family, proprietors of Finca Villacreces in Ribera del Duero and Izadi in Rioja Alavesa. The vineyard is planted with 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo), in a poor soil which produces low yields of concentrated grapes. The hot and dry climate of Toro produces unmistakably big wines that many producers try to tame them with plenty of new oak. The harder path, and the one Vetus has taken, is to restrain the natural rusticity of the terroir and to promote balance and elegance in the finished wines. To achieve this they are careful to harvest grapes that are not over ripe, prevent excessive extraction during winemaking and employing a greater proportion of second and third-fill barrels for the aging of their wines.
Captivating and full of character, Verdejo grows with great success in Rueda, Spain and virtually nowhere else in Europe. It has become so trendy in Spain since the turn of the century that plantings have also increased tremendously. Somm Secret—Contrary to what some may think, it is actually not related to the Portugese variety with a very similar name, Verdelho. In fact, DNA profiling suggests it may be a sibling of Godello, another native of NW Spain.
Rueda is located along the banks of the Duero River in Spain’s Castilla y León region, just a 2-hour drive north of Madrid. While winemaking in this area goes back to the 12th century, it was in the 1980s that the region was granted Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status. Today, more than 70 wineries call Rueda home. This national favorite is the top-selling white wine in Spain.
Notable facts Rueda’s main grape variety, Verdejo, gets it distinct complexity from stressful growing conditions and mineral-rich soil. Think of Verdejo as a fuller-bodied and more aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. A lush and smooth character with perfectly balanced acidity means Rueda wines pair well with seafood, fresh salads and spicy food, but are also great on their own.